Report by Nick Prince
North Petherton travelled to Exeter hoping to continue building on the platform of the last couple of weeks and with a large following taking the short trip down the M5. They did not have to wait long when the kick off was fielded and the ball moved through the hands where James Carter crossed the line for the first score after 23 seconds. Harry Roberts was unable to make nthe conversion. (0 - 5)
The home side struck back quickly using the chip from their fly half to great effect and breaching the Petherton defence to score under the posts. The conversion was successful (7 - 5)
Petherton regained the lead with a penaly kick from Harry Roberts. (7 - 8)
Petherton continued to put the pressure on, but against the run of play, Exeter scored a second try after half an hour which was successfully converted. (14 - 8)
Petherton, determined not to let their impressive start go to waste, pressurised the Exeter defence and an outrageous dummy pass from Jervis Manupenu opened it up and he crossed the line under the posts and Roberts added the extra points to put Petherton back in front at half time. (14 - 15)
The second half started with a determined Petherton wanting to put the game to bed, and from an Exeter mistake at a 5m scrum Lloyd Williams dived on the ball to score. Harry Roberts added to extras from out wide. (14 - 22)
Another penalty from Roberts extended Petherton's lead. (14 - 25)
The half continued with Pethy putting the pressure on and it was only a matter of time before the defence opened up and in the 70th minute Harry Roberts went over in the corner. Another good kick from Roberts added the extra 2 points. (14 - 32)
A couple of minutes later Gavin Hancock was given the ball in space in his own half and outpaced the Exeter defence to score under the posts. Roberts again added the extras. (14 - 39)
Exeter fought back and earned themselves a consolation try which was not converted. (19 - 39).
Manupenu finished the day off with a second try in injury time that duly converted by Roberts making the final score 19 - 46.
In all it was a thoroughly clinical performance as Petherton continue to build on all the hard work done in training. This showed with Petherton fielding two of their youngest players at second row, Sam Butler and Tyrone Harris, who both had good games, and Roberts once again kicking superbly.
Next week Petherton are hosting Ivybridge.
Team:
1. Simon Ranson
2. Sam Williams
3. Matt Angel
4. Tyrone Harris
5. Sam Butler
6. Matt Brown
7. Matt Ranson
8. Arron Gibbs
9. Lloyd Williams
10. Jervis Manupenu
11. Gavin Hancock
12. Russell Williams
13. James Carter
14. Craig Goodwin
15. Harry Roberts
Replacements
16. Mike Taylor
17. Miles McNeillie (Not used)
18. Mike Coles
Tries: Carter, Manupenu (2), L. Williams, Roberts, Hancock
Cons: Roberts (5)
Pens: Roberts (2)
