NPRFC - 1st XV vs Devonport Services

From the start Devonport Services were the more alert and but for an early knock-on would have crossed Pethy’s line in the first 5 mins. But it was not long until an all too frequent offside infringement lead to the first points of the match with Devonport’s number 12, Matty Antis, slotting the ball over for a 3 nil lead.

After Pethy had regrouped, they played their best rugby of the afternoon with continued attacks into their opponents territory. This effort was rewarded by the most astounding piece individual play of the season so far, with Arron Gibbs collecting the ball 30 metres out and through the combination of brute strength and superb timing, he managed to bulldoze his way through Devonport’s defences to go straight through at least three head on tackles to score in the corner. Sam Williams made the difficult conversion and put the score at 3 - 7 with 20 min gone. The thing that made this try so good, is that the attempted tacklers were not mismatched “halves” or wingers, but they were second and front row beefcakes, so to go in from so far out was indeed a superhuman effort.

Again indiscipline at the offside line lead to a penalty and the Devonport metronome kicker Matty Antis brought the score back to 6 -7. Pethy hit back with some forceful forward drives taking them close to the try line, then spinning the ball wide to outflank the opposition. Great hands from the backs sees fullback Tom Williams skate over to score ion the corner. This time Sam Williams is unlucky and hit’s the post with the conversion attempt, score 6 -12.

Devonport Services surged back to pressurise Pethy’s line, but a good disciplined defence prevented the home side from crossing the line and scrumhalf Tracey cleared well to relieve the pressure. Pethy were unlucky not to score a breakaway try when a drop goal attempt by Harry Roberts came back off the posts and was narrowly missed by the following-up Tom Williams. Half Time score 6 - 12 to Pethy.

Second Row & Line-out expert Cox was unable to continue after the break with a sore back and Matt Burge was brought on with the pack having to re-shuffle to accommodate. But it was poor gathering at the restart that put Pethy under pressure again. Scrambled defence, last gasp calls for mark and hurried clearance kicks meant that Pethy were hard pushed to clear their own lines.

Things were going reasonably well for the visitors when they suddenly seemed to lose control and in a matter minutes were down to 13 men with Miles McNeillie being yellow carded for persistent off side and Mike Stevens being sin binned for impeding a player. Even though they did not concede whilst their numbers were depleted, the writing was on the wall and gradually Devonport took control and lead of the game with a converted try (13 - 12).

Harry Roberts did his best to stem the tide with a neatly taken drop goal (13 - 15) and with the referee marching Devonport back twice (20 yards) for backchat. But with a penalty conceded in front of the posts and concerted pressure on Pethy’s tiring forwards it wasn’t long before Devonport struck with two converted tries to take the final score to a disappointing Devonport Services 30 North Petherton 15.

Pethy started this match slowly, but through good play and decision making they managed to get well into the match and at one point were dominant. However persistent offside indiscipline, even after being warned by the referee, and a lack of fitness in some quarters coupled with the inability to successfully replace the main line out jumper lead to this defeat and in the end were beaten by a side that wanted it more.

		Pethy's Indiscipline Haunts Them Again 30th October 2010 - Tribute Western Counties West: Devonport Services 30 North Petherton 15 Report by Jerry Upfield From the start Devonport Services were the more alert and but for an early knock-on would have crossed Pethy’s line in the first 5 mins. But it was not long until an all too frequent offside infringement lead to the first points of the match with Devonport’s number 12, Matty Antis, slotting the ball over for a 3 nil lead. After Pethy had regrouped, they played their best rugby of the afternoon with continued attacks into their opponents territory. This effort was rewarded by the most astounding piece individual play of the season so far, with Arron Gibbs collecting the ball 30 metres out and through the combination of brute strength and superb timing, he managed to bulldoze his way through Devonport’s defences to go straight through at least three head on tackles to score in the corner. Sam Williams made the difficult conversion and put the score at 3 - 7 with 20 min gone. The thing that made this try so good, is that the attempted tacklers were not mismatched “halves” or wingers, but they were second and front row beefcakes, so to go in from so far out was indeed a superhuman effort. Again indiscipline at the offside line lead to a penalty and the Devonport metronome kicker Matty Antis brought the score back to 6 -7. Pethy hit back with some forceful forward drives taking them close to the try line, then spinning the ball wide to outflank the opposition. Great hands from the backs sees fullback Tom Williams skate over to score ion the corner. This time Sam Williams is unlucky and hit’s the post with the conversion attempt, score 6 -12. Devonport Services surged back to pressurise Pethy’s line, but a good disciplined defence prevented the home side from crossing the line and scrumhalf Tracey cleared well to relieve the pressure. Pethy were unlucky not to score a breakaway try when a drop goal attempt by Harry Roberts came back off the posts and was narrowly missed by the following-up Tom Williams. Half Time score 6 - 12 to Pethy. Second Row & Line-out expert Cox was unable to continue after the break with a sore back and Matt Burge was brought on with the pack having to re-shuffle to accommodate. But it was poor gathering at the restart that put Pethy under pressure again. Scrambled defence, last gasp calls for mark and hurried clearance kicks meant that Pethy were hard pushed to clear their own lines. Things were going reasonably well for the visitors when they suddenly seemed to lose control and in a matter minutes were down to 13 men with Miles McNeillie being yellow carded for persistent off side and Mike Stevens being sin binned for impeding a player. Even though they did not concede whilst their numbers were depleted, the writing was on the wall and gradually Devonport took control and lead of the game with a converted try (13 - 12). Harry Roberts did his best to stem the tide with a neatly taken drop goal (13 - 15) and with the referee marching Devonport back twice (20 yards) for backchat. But with a penalty conceded in front of the posts and concerted pressure on Pethy’s tiring forwards it wasn’t long before Devonport struck with two converted tries to take the final score to a disappointing Devonport Services 30 North Petherton 15. Pethy started this match slowly, but through good play and decision making they managed to get well into the match and at one point were dominant. However persistent offside indiscipline, even after being warned by the referee, and a lack of fitness in some quarters coupled with the inability to successfully replace the main line out jumper lead to this defeat and in the end were beaten by a side that wanted it more.

©2010 North Petherton RFC

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