Seconds start 2009 with a positive performance

10/01/09 - Somerset Three South: North Petherton II 72 v 0 Winscombe III

Report by from the Bridgwater Mercury

With most fixtures across Somerset called off due to the freezing weather, including Petherton's First Team match away at Tor, Pethy Seconds were able to go ahead with this match on the little used third pitch at Beggars Brook, which had thawed out enough to defy the weather and allow this game to go ahead.

It was the Second Team's first match in several weeks after postponed fixtures against Tor Thirds and Wells Thirds before and after christmas, and it was an excellent team performance that gave them their first win of the new year.

Pethy started with blistering form and were soon rewarded having scored three tries in the opening ten minutes all through Lloyd Steward with all three converted by Sam Williams the score was 21-0.

The tempo continued and after some superb play throughout the whole team Mark Sutherland-Earl, and the Kyle "bob" Prescott soon found their way under the posts.

With Petherton absolutely destructive in the scrum the backs had the perfect platform to play some really expansive and attractive rugby, it was not long before Jamie Adams finished a very well executed move leaving the visitors scratching their heads unable to find any way of stopping the scoring.

Ben Harvey's typically bulldozing running was the backbone to most of Pethy's scores, after recycling the ball some very slick hands found Daniel Steward in space who finished off a brilliant passage of play with a try.

The forwards continued the destructive play and unselfishly shipped the ball out to the backs for Lloyd Steward to score his fourth try of the game and end a superb half of rugby.

As is often the case Pethy struggled to match the tempo set in the first half and had to defend for the first ten minutes.

The returning Adie Harris was superb tackling anything in his path, another returning player Nick Pocock as also very impressive covering every blade of grass.

After some superb defence Pethy launched a counter attack and Lloyd Steward rounded his man and ran in from the half way line to score his fifth try of the game.

Within minutes Pethy had scored again - Neil Lennox quick thinking allowed him to dance his way through and score under the posts.

Both Lloyd Steward and Neil Lennox made way for Leigh Palmer and Oliver Steward to add some fresh legs to the game.

Pethy finished the game off with another try for Daniel Steward and Ben Harvey - a fine reward for his afternoon’s efforts.

This was a brilliant team performance and showed a glimpse of the rugby Pethy Seconds have been capable of for some time and things are looking very positive.