NPRFC - 2nd XV vs Ivel Barbarians

Ivel Barbarians travelled to Beggars Brook on a glorious afternoon for rugby with a considerably strengthened side due to their 1st XV not having a league fixture. However they were not prepared for what was about to happen, because from the first whistle Petherton's pack dominated every facet of the game, winning their own scrums and lineout’s all game and stealing a large amount of Ivel's own ball.

Playing up the slope Petherton made deep inroads into the Ivel half through strong runs from Simon Gingell, who himself was making a rare second team appearance due to the imminent arrival of his third child, which meant he could not travel with the 1st XV. Also striking fear into Ivel with surging runs were Toby Harris and Nick Pocock.

Petherton's first try came through some great interplay between both forwards and backs with Toby Harris offloading to Dan Pearce who still had to force his way over the line. Pearce missed the relatively simple conversion. The next try was scored by young Toby Harris who carried the ball strongly and bounced off several defenders to score a great individual try. Pearce scored the conversion making it 12-nil. However, just as Petherton were making more inroads some poor passing by the half backs saw the ball go to ground and Ivel's centre kicked ahead to score under the posts for a converted try. Petherton struck again through No 8 Gingell who was dominating Ivels back row with some great pick and goes from the base of Pethertons rock solid scrums. The score at half time was 17-7.

After an impressive first half Petherton now attacking down the slope were mindful of the fact that Ivel weren’t totally out the game and therefore needed to carry on their good work. This proved to be short lived as Ivel adopted a tactic of bombarding Petherton's backline with some Garry Owen style up and unders and whilst the ever youthful Sutherland-Earl was as usual up to the task, one high ball was not clearly called for and in the confusion the ball bounced into the in goal area for the Ivel scrum half to pounce on under the posts. The conversion made the game 17-14 and despite their dominance, basic errors from Pethy had given Ivel all their points.

Petherton however didn’t buckle and hit back with a try from inside centre Winn, again the conversion was missed. Ivel then introduced another massive inside centre who scored under the posts after carrying the ball strongly following a series of penalties which had given them field position. The conversion made the score 22-21 to Petherton.

Petherton continued to play the rugby they had been doing previously with the forwards creating field positions which gave try scoring chances. These chances were finished off with tries from Craig Ardren and Lloyd Steward making the final score 32-21 to Petherton.

Despite their performance the margin of victory could’ve been a much wider one if the boot of Pearce was not having an off day and Petherton hadn’t gifted Ivel two tries. Credit goes to the dominant forwards, but Pethertons back tackled everything that came their way and fully played their part in securing victory!

Team: Pocock, Murdoch, Kearle, Long, Stewart, Ardren (Lees, 55), Harris (Duheaume, 60), Gingell, Anthony, Pearce, Steward, Winn, Potter, Williams, Sutherland-Earl.

		16th October 2010 - Tribute Somerset 2 South: North Petherton II 32 v 21 Ivel Barbarians II Report by Ben Williams Ivel Barbarians travelled to Beggars Brook on a glorious afternoon for rugby with a considerably strengthened side due to their 1st XV not having a league fixture. However they were not prepared for what was about to happen, because from the first whistle Petherton's pack dominated every facet of the game, winning their own scrums and lineout’s all game and stealing a large amount of Ivel's own ball. Playing up the slope Petherton made deep inroads into the Ivel half through strong runs from Simon Gingell, who himself was making a rare second team appearance due to the imminent arrival of his third child, which meant he could not travel with the 1st XV. Also striking fear into Ivel with surging runs were Toby Harris and Nick Pocock. Petherton's first try came through some great interplay between both forwards and backs with Toby Harris offloading to Dan Pearce who still had to force his way over the line. Pearce missed the relatively simple conversion. The next try was scored by young Toby Harris who carried the ball strongly and bounced off several defenders to score a great individual try. Pearce scored the conversion making it 12-nil. However, just as Petherton were making more inroads some poor passing by the half backs saw the ball go to ground and Ivel's centre kicked ahead to score under the posts for a converted try. Petherton struck again through No 8 Gingell who was dominating Ivels back row with some great pick and goes from the base of Pethertons rock solid scrums. The score at half time was 17-7. After an impressive first half Petherton now attacking down the slope were mindful of the fact that Ivel weren’t totally out the game and therefore needed to carry on their good work. This proved to be short lived as Ivel adopted a tactic of bombarding Petherton's backline with some Garry Owen style up and unders and whilst the ever youthful Sutherland-Earl was as usual up to the task, one high ball was not clearly called for and in the confusion the ball bounced into the in goal area for the Ivel scrum half to pounce on under the posts. The conversion made the game 17-14 and despite their dominance, basic errors from Pethy had given Ivel all their points. Petherton however didn’t buckle and hit back with a try from inside centre Winn, again the conversion was missed. Ivel then introduced another massive inside centre who scored under the posts after carrying the ball strongly following a series of penalties which had given them field position. The conversion made the score 22-21 to Petherton. Petherton continued to play the rugby they had been doing previously with the forwards creating field positions which gave try scoring chances. These chances were finished off with tries from Craig Ardren and Lloyd Steward making the final score 32-21 to Petherton. Despite their performance the margin of victory could’ve been a much wider one if the boot of Pearce was not having an off day and Petherton hadn’t gifted Ivel two tries. Credit goes to the dominant forwards, but Pethertons back tackled everything that came their way and fully played their part in securing victory! Team: Pocock, Murdoch, Kearle, Long, Stewart, Ardren (Lees, 55), Harris (Duheaume, 60), Gingell, Anthony, Pearce, Steward, Winn, Potter, Williams, Sutherland-Earl.

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