Bideford Go Top At Pethy's Expense
Report by Jerry Upfield
Things were looking up for North Petherton in the opening minutes of the first half with Pethy hammering at the visitors line with a series of close forward play that ran into several phases. Unfortunately all the good work was let down when they conceded a penalty which gave the visitors some relief. Bideford took the game back to Pethy getting into the home sides half with some hard running from their backs. The visitors took the lead in the 13th minute after Pethy had conceded a penalty. The converted kick making the score 0 - 3.
Pethy regained composure and the forwards started to push hard up the centre of the park. However, a loose pass was intercepted on the half way line which caught Pethy on the back foot and the Bideford winger put the ball down between the posts. The successfull conversion took the score to 0 - 10 after 21 minutes.
Pethy came straight back from the kick off, putting together some good phases of play with the backs linking well off good clean ball from the forwards. Despair, in the 28th minute another loose pass was intercepted and again the visitors put the ball down between the posts which was converted by the Bideford 10. This took the score to 0 - 17.
Petherton regrouped and started playing the game in the visitors half. The sustained pressure earnt Pethy a penalty which was successfully put between the posts with excellent left foot of Harry Roberts. This took the score to 3 - 17 at half time.
The second half started with Bideford's No. 8 being yellow carded for persistent handling infringements and Pethy forwards seized the opportunity to score their first try of the day through hooker Sam Williams with the extras being added by Roberts. The score now stood at 10 - 17. Fullback Harry Roberts, having an excellent day with the boot, added two more penalty conversions in quick succession to take the score to 16 - 17 after 59 minutes.
Petherton backs finally got in on the act with a well taken try by Lloyd Williams breaking a tackle and sprinting to the posts. Roberts did the honours again and Pethy took the lead at 23-17 with 18 minutes to go.
Petherton's main line-out jumper, James Cox, was sin-binned on 69 minutes and Bideford turned the tables with a try and conversion and take the score to 23 - 24. This lead to a frantic last ten minutes with Petherton desperate to score. Roberts tried a with a penalty on the edge of his range but it fell agonisingly short of the crossbar. Pethy could not reproduce the required match saving points as in their previous two league matches this season.
At the end of the day Bideford were worthy winners and its not surprising that they now head the table with North Petherton dropping two places to eighth. Lets hope they regain some confidence for next week's away trip to Bude.
Petherton's next home match is against Devonport Services on 1st October. This is also NPFRC's Ex-Players Reunion Day so they will want to put on a show for the old boys.
