North Petherton 9- Bridgwater and Albion 7.
South West One (West)
North Petherton 9- Bridgwater and Albion 7.
This game had everything that you could possibly want from a local derby. Played in heavy rain throughout on a very wet pitch under floodlights in front of a crowd of almost 800, there was even a streaker thrown in for good measure to bring a little humour to the situation.
At the end of what was a good game to watch given the conditions, that was hard fought throughout it was North Petherton who claimed the bragging rights, thanks to three first half penalties that Bridgwater spent the rest of the match trying to overhaul.
Before the start of the game both sides lined up to observe a minutes silence in memory of Jason Collard a North Petherton stalwart who passed away recently
League positions counted for nothing on an evening like this and it was North Petherton who took the lead when Jack Rees slotted home the first of his three penalties, this one for off side.
On five minutes Rees kicked his second penalty also for offside to give the hosts a 6-0 lead. At this stage of the game Petherton were dominating proceedings and whenever Bridgwater started an attack they were quickly closed down.
After 20 minutes Bridgwater were penalized for not rolling away and Rees slotted home his hat trick of kicks to give the hosts a 9-0 lead.
Just before the half hour mark the visitors made their first real incursion into home territory but there was no way through and the Petherton defence held firm.
On 35 minutes Bridgwater’s persistent pressure were rewarded with a kickable penalty, but unfortunately the ball went just wide of the uprights.
Shortly afterwards Bridgwater Number 8 Wayne Sprangle drove through but once again the home defence held firm.
Just before half time the hosts were reduced to 14 men when Josh Frost was yellow carded and soon after the players went into the interval with the hosts leading 9-0.
The visitors made a good start after the break and Bridgwater were straight onto the attack. However once again despite creating pressure and going close the home defence held firm and there was now way through.
Bridgwater enjoyed their best period of play and the momentum of the game was shifting their way, but try as they may, each time they seemed to gain ground and create pressure they were beaten back by the Petherton defence.
With the last few minutes of the game remaining Bridgwater once again found themselves close to the line, but with no way through, on this occasion Heal spotted Monro out wide to his right and chipped the ball to the winger who crashed over for a try line, to which the captain added the extras.
Shortly after the re-start the referee blew the final whistle with the final score North Petherton 9- Bridgwater and Albion 7.
Bridgwater and Albion-
Lewis Phillips, Jordan Buller, Sam Adcock, Ethan Trebble-Westlake, Dan Kemmish, Tom Hopkins, George Sluman, Wayne Sprangle, Tom Fournier d’Albe, Stuart Heal (capt), Dom Thorne, Simon Honey, Ryan Barnett, Will Monro and Richard Bright.
Replacements all used- Matt Ranson, Karolis Urbonis and Oskar White.
Category: Previews / Reports -XV
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