Report by Lloyd Williams
Pethy not for the first week were unable select from a full squad, Powerhouse Hallaran, wing Adams and backrow McNeillie were just a few of the noticeable absences.
It was a wet and windy Saturday afternoon down at Bude which didn't help Pethy's handling skills. Pethy started off with some hard running forward play up the centre of the pack through several phases. This got them to the half way line when 8 mins into the game a loose pass was intercepted and Bude went 7 points up.
Pethy returned with good quick ball getting into the oppositions 22. Hammering hard at the Bude defence and with play going from one side of the park to the other. Forward pod play and good hands from Angel, Gibbs and Tracey leads to the firsts points for Pethy with Prescott beating the last defender and barrelling over, scoring a try in 11th minute. It was a good attempt by Roberts but the conversion was missed.
An interception in the 22min from Carter puts Pethy back into the opponents 22 only for him to be isolated and a penalty was conceded. A good boot from Bude puts the play back into Pethy's half. This was a relief for Bude as the pressure was on, and it meant Pethy had to work hard against the wind to work their way back up the field. Shortly after, an infringement at the line out lead to a scrum on the Pethy 22 and again a penalty was conceded and the Bude kicker slots a further 3 points making the score in the 24th minute 10 - 5.
The next 10 minutes of play was unremarkable with no one dominating the game. The 38th minute saw Pethy knocking on the door at the Bude 5m line. Pethy maintaining possession through several phases of play leads to a scrum 5m out in the 39 minute. Gibbs breaks from the back of the scrum, off loads to Tracey who then passes on to Manapenu. He off loads to Sam Williams who makes good ground virtually going over the try line, but unselfishly pops the ball up to Carter who falls over for another Pethy try. Roberts's trusty left boot adds another 2 points.
The first 20mins of the second half saw Pethy in complete control again with several real chances to score that just fell short. The ball was being thrown side to side and then the final pass or clearance at the breakdown let Pethy down.
After being stopped short, then held up over the line, then losing the ball in a tackle over the line, then being penalised for a double movement, powerhouse Gibbs scored from the back of a scrum on 52 minutes, Roberts converted.
With minutes left Taylor was binned and the home side chose to take a scrum deep inside the visitors 22m, clearly going for the win. Sam Williams was recalled to the scrum and skilfully took it against the head. Number 8 Gibbs was off like a shot and eventually fed Captain Carter, who released Hancock, who wasn't going to be caught, a great length of the pitch try.
Again Pethy were not the finished article by a long way. The first 20 minutes of each half Pethy showed glimpses of what Coach Tito is driving for. With a little bit more focus by the match day 18 on what is being asked of their position and Pethy will really click as a team. All involved are hoping that will happen this week for the Ex Players Reunion this Saturday when Pethy take on Devonport Services. The coaches and players are determined to put on a good performance after a couple of frustrating home results
Team:
1. Matt Angel
2. Matt Ranson
3. Kyle Prescott
4. James Cox
5. Samuel Butler
6. Matt Brown
7. Mike Taylor
8. Arron Gibbs
9. Ben Tracey
10. Jervis Manupenu
11. Lloyd Williams
12. Sam Williams
13. James Carter
14. Gavin Hancock
15. Harry Roberts
Subs
16. Simon Ranson
17. Dan Winn (Not Used)
18. Tyrone Harris
Tries: Prescott, Carter, Gibbs, Hancock
Cons: Roberts (2)
Yellow Cards: S. Ranson, Taylor
