Kirk happy with another good win

13/12/08 - Friendly: North Petherton XV 29 v 5 Collompton III

Report by Cameron Kirk

Petherton fielded a mixture of seconds, thirds and some faces that hadn’t been seen for some time.  Although it couldn’t be strictly called a third team fixture, captain Cameron Kirk was happy to accept it after the game as it goes down as a win in their stats! 

It was good to see a return to the club for Graham Pearn and Ben Harvey.  Harvey in particular would have a big impact in the game with his typical bullocking, line-breaking runs.

It was clear from the outset that Cullompton would have a physical advantage but Petherton had the extra pace with a quick set of backs.  To Petherton’s credit though they’re pack had an outstanding game and they matched Cullompton in every aspect of the game.  Their reward was to even take a few scrums against the head.  After soaking up Cullompton’s first wave of attacks, Petherton looked to secure the ball and release the backs.  Harvey and number 8 Adrian Tew were punching holes in the visitors defence and Nick Pocock was having a fine game at flanker.  Centres Luke Williams and Stuart Pearn were always at the hub of the attacks, Luke playing his last game for the club before he goes travelling, the third team wish him well on his journeys.  However it was the mercurial Rob Havill who would be Petherton’s biggest attacking threat; his pace and ability to pick the right line saw him make several strong breaks in the first half.  It was from one of these that Petherton scored their first try; the ball finally finding its way to left wing Craig Goodwin whose pace and power saw him go over from the Cullompton 22.   Craig was unlucky not to get a second shortly afterwards as the referee deemed that the scoring pass was forward.  Petherton continued to play an open game and further tries followed in the first half from Havill and Stuart Pearn.  Cameron Kirk converted one.

In the second half Cullompton just kept coming forward but Petherton’s defence held firm and their strategy of running the ball continued to pay off.  After a fine break by Kris Sewell, excellent recycling by the forwards saw the ball spun along the line and Andy Long gave the scoring pass for Havill to get his second.  Neil Lennox converted. Then came the try of the day; Jason Carter (playing on the RIGHT WING) picked the ball up just inside the Cullompton half and set off for the try line.  With only the full back to beat, the crowd stood with bated breath.  Would he side-step him left? Would he side-step him right? Would he chip him and re-gather the ball?  In fact it was none of the above; instead he set off for the LEFT corner with the full-back in hot pursuit.  As he got closer to that corner he suddenly realised that he would now have to beat their opposite winger as well!!  And so the chase went on....... eventually he reached the left corner and in sheer exhaustion claimed the longest try of the day.  Ten minutes later Jason claimed he had to come off, his teammates thought it was due to injury.  He later owned up to the fact that he was knackered!! After all of that it wasn’t a surprise!!  The second half also saw a return to action of “The Belly”, yes!  Sean Kennelly made a comeback.  The club coach, and in automotive terms some would literally say “the club coach”, is currently on a diet mission and as Gary Coles wasn’t playing he was able to find a shirt which would fit over the triplets.  It was great to see him back though.

Although referee Nick Prince saw a blatant forward pass he felt it necessary to ignore it, and with the last play of the game Cullompton secured a try.

Once again the crowd enjoyed an end to end game full of good running rugby, excellent support play and some well worked tries.  Clarence Clatworthy played the second half but the drop goal opportunity remained elusive.

Ben Harvey and Rob Havill were the picks of a strong team performance but a mention also goes to scrum half Kev Rybaruk who controlled the game at nine.

Team:  J.Jennings, A.Long, M.Burge, B.Harvey, D.Rood, N.Pocock, G.Pearn, A.Tew, K.Rybaruk, C.Kirk, K.Sewell, L.Williams, S.Pearn, C.Goodwin, R.Havill, N.Lennox, D.Puddy, C.Clatworthy, A.Prowse, J.Carter, S.Kennelly