Match Sponsored By:
HeatCare
Smudges Tool Hire
G. Roles Fencing
Dean Motors
N & V Hanlon Building & Decorating
Total Builders
Bill Frost Paving
Report by Simon Freeman
North Petherton returned to winning ways with a comprehensive and emphatic victory against a young inexperienced St Ives side. Petherton ran in 11 tries against a side that attempted to play with ball in hand even from their own try line. The visitors had seven players twenty or under but couldn't live with either the pace or the power of the home side.
Petherton from the kick off immediately put St Ives under pressure and as early as the third minute had the opportunity to score but a dropped pass let the opportunity slip. In the 11th minute Sam Butler stole the ball from a lineout, the ball was shipped along to Russ Williams who gave a subtle pass for James Carter to move in to space and a well timed off load to Harry Roberts who rounded the last man to score in the corner (5-0).
The game remained in St Ives half and attack after attack forced the visitors to concede a penalty on the 22 in front of the posts, Roberts slotted the ball over(8-0). Straight from the kick off the excellent Jervis Manupenu glided through in midfield, waited for support before offloading as Petherton attacked down the left and after a drive by Matt Ranson the ball was moved right for Aaron Gibbs to bump off a couple of tacklers and score out wide, Roberts converted (15-0).
In the 22nd minute after five minutes of endless pressure Petherton produced some quick ball, Ben Tracey fired the ball away to Manupenu who drew in two men to release Carter who finally held on to a pass to score under the posts, Roberts converted (22-0).
The game continued to be one way traffic with Manupenu orchestrating the ball around the field and in the 30th minute St Ives had their player coach sin binned for a professional foul with the try line within sight. The resulting penalty gave Pethy the chance to attack from a line out, a well worked catch and drive from 5 yards saw Simon Ranson drive through the middle for a deserved try, Roberts converted (29-0).
In the final play of the first half St Ives scored a try through a series of short drives around the fringes with the final touch being scored by back row Chandler that was successfully converted. The
half time score 29-7.
The half time team talk emphasised the need to keep shape even though the bonus point had been secured. Tito Elisara reminded the team of patience and accuracy.
Within 17 seconds of the second half starting Petherton had extended their lead as a scintillating break from Gibbs and Carter created space for Hancock to cruise over, Roberts converted (36-7).
Petherton continue to apply pressure and run the visitors ragged, Miles McNeille made several strong runs and constantly linked play with his support running, it was from one of these that debutant Damian Griffin jinked his way over from ten metres to dive over in the corner (41-7). Even better was to follow two minutes later when a break by James Cox and a superb cross-field kick by Manupenu and a full length dive by Griffin to slide in on the right wing, Roberts converted (48-7).
The game drifted from set piece to set piece as errors became apparent and after a ten-minute stalemate St Ives showed plenty of character to score their second converted try (48-7). The last ten minutes of the game was a try feast as Pethy scored four more, Carter got the eighth after a strong run from the coach, Roberts converted (55-14). From the restart Gibbs scored another trademark 65metre spectacular under the posts, Roberts converted (62-14). Veteran Lloyd Williams who replaced Tracey showed a clean pair of heels and defied his ageing years with a foot race to the line from the halfway line, Roberts converted (69-14). The final play of the game fittingly ended with Pethy on the attack and after a couple of interchange passing Hancock scored out wide and leave the score 74-14.
Petherton moved back to the top of the table with this comfortable win. The performance showed discipline as the team kept to the patterns and ultimately were too good in every department against this St Ives team.
Man of the Match Miles McNeille
Thank you to all the sponsors and supporters who created an excellent atmosphere
