Report by Simon Freeman
A large crowd on a blistering hot day witnessed 75 points with Petherton running out deserved winners by the small margin of 7 points. The general feeling from players and spectators was of Petherton becoming complacent in patches allowing Devenport back into the game.
Devenport got off to the best possible start forcing Pethy to concede an early penalty and with a reliable kicker at 15 he successfully opened the scoring.
Petherton responded immediately with Harry Roberts making a strong run, which resulted in a try for the dependable Matt Brown with Roberts adding the extras for a 7-0 lead that they never relinquished from the fifth minute.
Pethy continued to play at a high tempo and a slick backs move gave Hancock space and the rangy winger making good ground, Devenport were forced in to conceding a penalty that was eventually finished off by Matt Ranson with the extra two points being added (14-3).
The game remained in centre field as both teams drifted from set piece to set piece with Pethy needlessly giving Devenport an easy 3 points to reduce the deficit (14-6)
Petherton front eight were beginning to show their dominance and from a stolen lineout by Gibbs in the 20th minute the ball moved along the backs for Halleran to add the finishing touch and Roberts adding the extra two (21-6)
Devenport showed plenty of spirit and organisational skills when they could build up some continuity and in the 30th minute from a maul they burrowed their way over which was converted (21-13).
In the final minute of the first half Pethy applied pressure at a scrum forcing the visitors to fumble and needlessly give Roberts the chance to extend the lead with another three points (24-13).
The second half began in the best possible way and within five minutes from a turnover well inside their own half Hancock turned on the after burners to scorch in from sixty metres with Roberts converting (31-13). The resulting kick off landed in Gibbs hands and in what has become his trademark he set off on a 50m mission forcing Services to concede a penalty. Petherton took a pragmatic view and decided to go for goal for the three points (34-13).
The next twenty-seven minutes Petherton failed to trouble the scores but managed to concede 14 points (34-27).
The closeness of the game began to tell in the anxiety of the crowd and with ten minutes remaining Pethy produced the tempo they played at earlier in the half. Great forward work resulted in a five yard scrum in front of the posts, a solid scrum with Pethy showing plenty of composure as the visitors tried to illegally disrupt, Gibbs finally diving on the ball as it crossed the line as the praise going to the tight five, Roberts converted (41-27).
To the relief of the crowd and the players the game entered the last minute and with the game won Pethy allowed Devenport to cross over outwide, which was expertly converted for a final score of 41-34.
The plus points were that Petherton produced a 5-point win with a stronger emphasis on discipline.
Next week Petherton are at home in an eagerly anticipated local derby against Wellington
Team:
1. Simon Ranson
2. Sam Williams
3. Kyle Prescott
4. James Cox
5. Tyrone Harris
6. Matt Ranson
7. Matt Brown
8. Arron Gibbs
9. Lloyd Williams
10. Jervis Manupenu
11. Gavin Hancock
12. Dave Hallaran
13. James Carter
14. Craig Goodwin
15. Harry Roberts
Replacements
16. Pete Kingston
17. Mike Taylor
18. Ben Tracey
Tries: Brown, M. Ranson, Hallaran, Hancock, Gibbs
Cons: Roberts (5)
Pens: Roberts (2)
