Women’s NC South West 2
North Petherton 29, Newton Abbot 10

NORTH Petherton Ladies have won the Women’s NC South West 2 League after a hard-fought victory over Newton Abbot Ladies on Good Friday evening.

Watched by a big crowd, the visitors took the game to North Petherton but a strong defence of Rosie Wheeler and Janet Dyer punished their attempts with some bruising tackles. 

Captain Sam England and second row Vicki Redwood also ensured they couldn’t gain further ground. 

Pethy hit back following a scrum won by hooker Jade Claridge-Miller.

Scrum-half Alana O’Dell offloaded to England and it was moved forward at pace into the hands of full-back Claire Hancock who skipped through the gap to score a brilliant try. 

Newton Abbott hit back, however, bundling over the try line for their first unconverted try of the game to equal the scores at half-time.

Pethy started the second half strongly with the forwards making decent ground. 

And they took the lead when half-back Stacey Saunders powered over the whitewash for try number two, converted by Gemma Baker. 

As the game progressed, Pethy had soon subjugated the visitors’ setpiece as Kelly Palmer stole the ball from their line out. 

O’Dell saw it passed down the back line and into the hands of Hancock and she ran in from the half-way line to score under the posts. Saunders converted, making the score 19-10.

Within seconds of the restart, No 8 Tamzin Reis-Day sliced through the Newton Abbott defence leaving tacklers in her wake as she darted for the whitewash from half-way.

And, with five minutes left, England capped a fine display to break through the visitors’ defence to score. 

As the final whistle blew the ladies and the supporting crowd erupted into cheers as they celebrated a fantastic end to a memorable season.

Forward of the match - Rosie Wheeler; back of the match - Amy Clark.

NORTH Petherton Men’s 1st XV conclude their league season on Saturday with a trip to Drybrook.

The hosts are in third, with Pethy going into the weekend in seventh, but just four points separate the two sides going into the weekend.

Pethy will finish no lower than seventh whatever happens, having won 13 of their 25 games so far.