Report by Matt Glanville
North Petherton Seconds remained top of Somerset Two after a resounding win over local rivals Bridgwater. In previous years this has been a tough encounter mostly dominated by the hosts, but North Petherton are now fielding what must be their strongest Second Team in many years, and their superior speed, fitness, and strength was evident throughout as they crushed a spirited but limited home side.
From the kick-off the visitors soon established a hold on the match that they would not relinquish for 80 minutes. The North Petherton scrum began to gain the upper hand and flanker Orin Bovill was making a nuisance of himself at the front of the lineout, poaching numerous Bridgwater throw-ins. Winger Ben Williams then quickly gave the visitors a 10-0 lead inside the first 10 minutes, with 2 well taken tries in the right corner, the first from a set-piece move from the back of a scrum and the second from 10 metres out following some incisive running by Fly-Half Dan Pearce.
Bridgwater’s forwards were doing their best to slow the ball down at the breakdown but the Petherton pack was still providing a lot of quick ball to their backline, and after 20 minutes Petherton’s wingers had secured the try bonus point when Mike Stevens outpaced several defenders to score to the left of the posts, before Williams completed his hat-trick with a neat side step and finish to the right of the posts. Both were converted by Pearce to extend the lead to 24-0.
Petherton’s forwards then began to make good ground up the middle of the pitch, and they soon got themselves onto the score sheet with firstly Bovill and then Hooker Nathan Murdoch both trundling over from close range, following some sustained pressure on the Bridgwater try-line. Murdoch’s try was converted by Pearce to extend the lead to 36-0.
Pethy continued to press their advantage out wide and a high tackle just prevented Stevens from scoring in the left corner. He did not have to wait long for his second try though as Pethy collected a 22 drop-out and sent the ball wide where Stevens again exploded past his opposite number to score. The conversion was missed but Pethy led 41-0 at the break.
Bridgwater responded well at the start of the second half, tightening up their defence as the match became a grind for both sides during the opening 15 minutes. During this period the Pethy scrum started to overwhelm their hosts and ensured that Bridgwater were unable to keep hold of much possession. Eventually the shackles were broken when replacement No.8 Toby Harris powered over from 15 metres out to extend the lead to 46-0.
On the hour mark Pethy scored twice in 2 minutes, firstly through Bovill, who reacted quickest when a scrum wheeled around 180 degrees to pick up the loose ball and run in from 30 metres out. Pearce converted the try and then scored himself to the left of the posts after replacement Centre Russ Potter was just held up short following a typically powerful run. Pearce converted again to extend the lead to 60-0.
Pethy continued to play attacking rugby and gave their hosts no respite, scoring a further 3 tries in the last 10 minutes. Both Bovill and Stevens completed their hat-tricks, firstly Bovill on 70 minutes, with a typically strong finish after collecting a short pass from Centre Ash Palmer 10 metres out. Stevens then again demonstrated his great pace on 73 minutes, this time on the right wing, cutting inside from 20 metres out and outpacing the covering defence. Stevens converted his own try before Palmer scored with the last play of the match after Pethy’s pack again turned the ball over at a scrum, resulting a in a quick counter attack towards the right corner where Palmer burst through some tired tackling to score.
This was an excellent performance by Pethy, labelled as their best of the season by Captain Simon Gingell, who was pleased with the intensity and quality of his side’s play. All the players contributed to a great team performance, and whilst it would be difficult to name any standout forward, Prop Sheldon Jones made a tremendous debut for the Second Team after being promoted from the Thirds, ensuring that competition for front row places will remain tough. Pethy’s backline were razor-sharp throughout with wingers Ben Williams and Mike Stevens finishing every opportunity that came their way.
Tries: Ben Williams (5, 9, 20), Mike Stevens (13, 34, 73), Orin Bovill (23, 60, 70), Nathan Murdoch (30), Toby Harris (55), Dan Pearce (62), Ash Palmer (80)
Cons: Dan Pearce (14, 21, 31, 61, 63), Stevens (74)
Team:
1. Sheldon Jones
2. Nathan Murdoch (Rep. Adrian Tew, 40)
3. Matt Glanville
4. Ben Stewart (Rep. Phil Hambley, 56)
5. Ty Harris (Rep. Toby Harris, 55)
6. Mike Taylor
7. Orin Bovill
8. Simon Gingell (C)
9. Oscar Treganna
10. Dan Pearce
11. Mike Stevens
12. Ash Palmer
13. Dave Hallaran (Rep. Russ Potter, 57)
14. Ben Williams (Rep. Lloyd Steward, 40)
15. Simon Freeman (Rep. Rob Havill, 40)
