North Petherton 22 - Crediton 50

AFTER another weekend off, the first team travelled over the border into Somerset to take on North Petherton looking to build on their excellent win against the previously unbeaten league leaders a couple of weeks ago.

Beggars Brook is never an easy place to go and our previous visits there have always produced very close encounters.

We started strongly and within three minutes had scored our first try. Winning a scrum on half way line, No 8 Ben Wonnacott broke from the base to make good ground before the ball was recycled to the backs who played through several phases before releasing winger Josh Woodland, who went over in the corner for an unconverted try.

After 15 minutes North Petherton reduced the deficit with a penalty after we were penalised for an infringement in the contact area, the kick was subsequently converted.

We were playing some good rugby in the right areas of the field, causing the North Petherton defence some real problems and it was no surprise that we scored our try. A clearance kick took us deep into the home side territory and we then disrupted the North Petherton line out.

Scrum half Ed Brady was quick off the blocks to charge down the North Petherton clearance kick and get the touch down for another unconverted try.

Within 10 minutes, we scored again. Winning turnover ball in the North Petherton half, the backs moved the ball swiftly against a disorganised home defensive line for Woodland to go over in the corner for his second try of the afternoon. OAW adding the extras.

With half time approaching North Petherton scored their first try. Winning turnover ball in their own half the Pethy backs kicked through and won the foot race to get the touch down for an unconverted try.

The second half started very evenly with both sides working hard to nullify each other’s attacking threats, although we were always looking more dangerous. The first breakthrough of the second half came after 14 minutes when from a scrum close to the North Petherton try line we drove the Pethy pack backwards for scrum half Ed Brady to break swiftly to go over for his second and our bonus point try, OAW adding the extras.

Straight from the kick off joined the line at pace we scored again. A clean catch from the kick off by Matt Arnold was then distributed to the backs where full back Freddie Blackburn made good ground before passing out to Woodland who raced over in the corner to complete his hat-trick and which went unconverted. North Petherton came back strongly, bringing more physicality into their game, and on the hour they scored their second try. Playing numerous phases deep in our half, the home players finally broke through our defence to go over for a converted try.

We responded quickly and were immediately camped deep in the North Petherton half and within five minutes we scored our sixth try of the game and once again it came off the back of a strong scrum. Pushing the North Petherton pack backwards on their own put in, the Pethy half backs were in disarray enabling scrum half Ed Brady to charge down their clearance kick then managed to get the touch down for his hat-trick try, OAW adding the extras.

We were now dominating the game in most areas and on 70 minutes we kicked a penalty to the corner and won good lineout ball. Once again our dominant back line broke through the home defence for Woodland to cross for his fourth try of the afternoon, OAW adding the extras.

To their credit, North Petherton kept fighting and with five minutes remaining they scored their third try of the game. Playing deep in our half they were awarded a penalty and they took a quick tap penalty to catch our defence somewhat disorganised to go over for a converted try.

However, we did have the final say right on time we kicked a penalty to the corner, and winning the resulting line-out the ball was moved out to the backs who made good ground before being stopped just short of the line. The ball was quickly recycled to the forwards who were up in support and Tom Mortimer forced his way over for a try. OAW adding the extras.

This was a very comprehensive performance by us against a dogged North Petherton side, and it is a very good confidence-builder before meeting third-placed Tiverton RFC in the local derby at Blagdon on Saturday when we shall be looking to reverse the defeat suffered earlier in the season.

With Topsham more or less guaranteed promotion, (they need one point to guarantee it from three games) we still battle it out for the runners-up spot with Tiverton and Wadebridge. Ivybridge are almost relegated and will replace Topsham. At the other end of the league table, Truro, Newton Abbot and Teignmouth are in a fight to escape the drop whilst at the same time Pirates Amateurs, Paignton and Barnstaple seconds are looking to gain the promotion spot.

Still plenty to play for over the remaining weeks.

Paul Harris