Report by Matt Glanville
The top of the table clash didn’t fail to disappoint as both teams fired in to each other to protect their 100% records. In a forward dominated match Petherton’s front eight were determined and organised; all eight deserved the praise for the hard fought victory.
The opening exchanges were disjointed as both teams put the other under pressure and with neither team able to build any continuity the game lacked the usual fluidity with which the seconds have started in the previous few weeks. Chard held the upper hand for the first twenty minutes through Petherton being unable to clear their lines, being turned over or sloppy passing.
Petherton finally managed to work their way in to Chard territory in the twenty first minute after good play from Gingell and Tew who drove directly at the Chards backs and right in front of the posts the referee awarded Pethy a penalty 15 metres out, Pearce slotted it over (0-3).
The Petherton set piece was working well with Winn excelling in the lineout with Murdock hitting his jumpers with precision and in the 29th minute a slick set piece followed by Potter crashing up the middle enabled Pearce to chip over the top of the onrushing defence and gather his own kick to score between the posts which he also converted (0-10).
The remaining ten minutes of the first half went from end to end with both teams pulverising each others line but failing to cross, Pethy came closest as Coles went on a twenty yard rampage with Chard defenders ricocheting of him.
Half time 0-10
The second half began with Chard attacking out wide but a solid Petherton back line and back row Gavin Wolfe tackled everything that was thrown at them. Chard held the upper hand with possession and Pethy were living off scraps but each time trying to be creative. Pethy had numerous attempts to counter attack in their own 22 but either a forward pass or a dropped pass nullified any threat.
Petherton who were under intense pressure then proceeded to give away endless penalties and from one of these in the 53rd minute Chard ran the ball in Pethys 22, the ball bounced and kindly sat up for their direct running centre and he strolled over and under the posts for a converted try (7-10).
Petherton had to withstand another 5 minutes of pressure as Chard continued to attack but with Petherton remaining organised in defence and communicating Chard were unable to take the lead. In the 60th minute a clearence kick by Simon Freeman and a sniping run by Oscar Treganna took Pethy in to Chards half, Pethy attacked down the short side but an off side Chard player disrupted the attack, which gave Pearce the chance to extend the lead to 7-16. The remainder of the game saw Petherton defending as the game became more physical with every breakdown highly competitive and combative. The Petherton forwards absorbed attack after attack with the backs supporting when required. In the final play of the game Petherton conceded another penalty right in front of the posts and with Chard finally realising that they weren’t going to penetrate the Pethy line again they opted for a losing bonus point to give a final score of 10-16.
The final whistle blew to the relief of the players and supporters on the sideline. An excellent victory in a hard fought game as both teams and players battled until the final whistle. Pethy have proved to themselves they can grind out wins as well as play an expansive game when allowed. The team played with plenty of enthusiasm, which they will learn to channel to avoid the sometimes-chaotic scenes through mixed messages and confusion.
Petherton remain top of the league and next week they are at home to Minehead Barbarians.
