Match report: North Petherton 10, Chard 56 (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Match report: North Petherton 10, Chard 56

8:00pm Monday 4th March 2013 in Sport

South West 1 West
North Petherton 10, Chard 56

A CLINICAL performance by Chard outgunned Petherton in all areas and deservedly ran out convincing winners on Saturday (March 2) afternoon, writes Simon Freeman.

Pethy started the game convincingly with Arron Gibbs and Tito Elisara making inroads in to the Chard half and bouncing off tacklers.

They moved the ball across the back line from right to left and stretched the Chard defence who were forced to concede a penalty from which Harry Roberts pushed the hosts in to the lead.

But Chard responded immediately with a converted try to stun the home crowd before camping themselves in the Pethy half and moving the ball smartly around the pitch.

The visitors’ forwards were well drilled and comfortable with the ball in hand exploiting any loose tackling and within three minutes had stretched their lead to 3-13 through a drop goal and a penalty.

The 29th minute resulted in Chard’s second try and a 17-point lead before an unconverted try put them 25-3 at half time.

The second half belonged exclusively to Chard who ran in a further five tries through strong direct running and on some occasions dazzling footwork.

Pethy did produce one try from a rolling maul with the official deciding Chard had infringed when a try was likely to be scored and awarded a penalty try which Sam Williams converted.

Pethy are now third in the table three points off top and travel to Camborne this Saturday.

FULL-BACK Harry Roberts is off travelling in Australia for a year and will be leaving the club.