South West 1 West
North Petherton 1sts 27, Keynsham 1sts 30

NORTH Petherton suffered their fourth straight loss in South West 1 West but, again, it was a close one, as Keynsham came away with a three-point win.

Sam Williams scored two tries for Pethy, with Aaron Gibbs and Greg Charlton also crossing to secure the four-try bonus point, but it wasn’t enough for a first win of the season.

Their four bonus points leave them second bottom in the division, ahead of this Saturday’s trip to third-placed Launceston.

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Somerset 1
Morganians 52, North Petherton 2nds 5

MORGS returned home this week after a chastening experience at Bristol Harlequins in their previous fixture.

Intensity in defence was the focus of training during the week, and who better to play against than the big experienced pack of North Petherton in a local derby.

Despite the pre-match talk, passive defence and poor tackling allowed North Petherton to cross in the corner after only two minutes and the large home crowd were stunned.

If a mistake was to happen, then having 78 minutes to put it right was probably an ideal scenario, and Morgs flew out of the traps from the kick-off.

With the wind at their backs, Morgs’ mobile forwards punched holes in the Pethy defence and created space for their rapid back line to attack.

Will Hopkins was the first to score, taking a quick tap and scampering through the retreating Pethy pack for a try which Jordan Mein converted.

Morgs then dominated the next 20 minutes but were denied a try when Dave Harris was adjudged to have collected a forward pass before diving over.

Morgs battered the away team’s line and, despite six consecutive penalties on their own 5m line, Pethy remained with 15 players.

The infringements weren’t enough to keep the hosts at bay, though, and Ryan Rossiter strolled in for a try, which Mein again converted.

The hosts then lost the impressive Lewis Wood to injury and a reshuffle saw Hopkins move to eight and Lewis Croker come on to the flank.

This added mobility would put even more pressure on the away team’s big pack, and the third try came from Hopkins as he ran through a now ragged Pethy defence for his second (19-5), before Mein robbed his opposite number for a converted score as Morgs went into half-time 26-5 ahead.

The Morgs half-time plan was clear: continue to play with intensity but drop deeper in case Pethy opted to clear their lines using the wind.

The visitors’ key weapon was their physical size but, even when carrying the ball, their pack were pushed back by the ferocity of the home defence.

When they were eventually turned over, Morgs were running riot, and strong running from Hopkins, Stef Pierce and Dave Harris continued to create opportunities for the backs.

Mein crossed twice, converting both to take the lead out to 40-5, before Olly McGeown finished an exceptional team score in the corner.

More injuries saw the return of Nigel Smith and the introduction of young starlet Jack James, for his first taste of a senior local derby.

In the dying moments Matty Winter sped down the left to score in the corner and cap a fine performance.

Mein converted to secure a final score of 52-5 to Morganians.

The large crowd left having seen a vastly improved performance and an entertaining local derby.

Next week Morgs make the trip to Wellington, who sit just above them in the table, with Pethy hosting Bristol Barbarians.

Morgs: Pierce; Hopkins; Richards; Harris; Cooper; Rossiter; Luke; Wood: McGeown; Mein; Winter; Bullion; Criddle; Walpole; Keep. Subs: Smith; James; Croker.

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Somerset 2 South
Bridgwater & Albion 3rds 80, Tor 2nds 10

ALBION’s 3rd XV recovered from last week’s 40-point loss at Weston-super Mare 4ths by putting 80 points past visitors Tor 2nds.

The big win leaves them sixth in the early standings, with next weekend bringing an away game against Wells 2nds, who currently sit fifth.