RUGBY: North Petherton beaten by leaders Exeter University in South West One West

NORTH Petherton were overpowered by runway South West 1 West leaders Exeter University on Saturday, going down by 35 points at Beggars Brook.

The damage was done in the first half, with the students charging into a 33-0 lead at halfway, thanks to two tries from George Gosling (both from catch-drive drills), Charlie Davis, a penalty try and James McRae.

The second half was a much more even affair, as both teams scored two tries apiece.

Pethy’s efforts came from Sam Williams, who powered over to open his side’s account, and then Henry Gliddon (pictured right).

Davis, with his second, and Mike Haines crossed for Exeter after the break.

The result leaves Pethy in 11th place in the South West 1 West table, six points ahead of second-bottom Matson, and this coming Saturday (December 13) they are away to Keynsham, who are currently in seventh place.

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Somerset Premier
Avon 24, Bridgwater & Albion 2nds 14

ALBION 1sts were left frustrated by their match at Thornbury being postponed, but the club's improving 2nd XV lost out by 10 points at high-flying Avon on Saturday.

The visitors took an early lead, but were then hit by three tries in 10 minutes, to trail 19-7 at half time.

Another converted try got them back into the match, but the bonus-point try for Avon secured them the victory.

Albion, still bottom of the table, are without a match this weekend.

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Somerset 1
Morganians 17, Bristol Harlequins 23

MORGS hosted Bristol Harlequins for their first fixture of 2018.

The hosts knew they needed to counter Quins’ strong offloading game if they were going to compete with their high-flying opponents.

The match started evenly, although Quins had the better of the territory stats in the first quarter.

The visitors were predictably effective around the tackle but Morgs were active in defence and held firm.

When the home side did get possession they looked to create space for their pacy backs on the outside, but poor execution saw two good opportunities spurned, and over-ambitious kicking also saw possession given up.

Morgs were the first to score, though, as Jordan Mein converted a penalty attempt to put them 3-0 up.

Quins hit back with two penalties of their own to move into a 6-3 lead, but points were proving hard to come by in an even contest.

The first try came for the visitors, as they found space outside and crossed for a converted score just before half time to make it 13-3.

The second half continued in the same vein, and Morgs’ No 8 George Day muscled his way over after a quick penalty in front of the posts, Mein converting to make it 13-10.

Despite being in the ascendency, Morgs did not make the most of their chances, and Quins were next to score, adjudged to have crossed the line on the right wing to move 18-10 ahead.

Morgs attacked again, though, and good running from the forwards gave Mein the space he needed to attack on the left.

The fly-half used the dummy runs of Sam Bullion and Gavin Hancock to great effect as he ghosted through the Quins’ defence to register a converted score and reduce the deficit to a single point.

Mein, who’d been having a good game, delayed his pass with numbers on his right, and when he eventually let it go, he threw a shocker.

The pass was easily intercepted by the opposing centre, who just managed to evade the galloping Matt Winter and score in the corner for a score of 23-17.

With moments left, the home side had one last opportunity to win the game but, with Quins committed to the breakdown and Winter in acres of space to the right, Will Hopkins knocked on when picking the ball from the base of the ruck.

Had he collected it cleanly, there’s no doubt Winter would have been in under the posts.

Despite the narrow loss, Morgs will take heart from a much-improved defensive performance against one the the division’s top two sides.

Next week they travel to near-neighbours North Petherton for a much-anticipated local derby and will be hoping to fine tune their attacking game.

The Pethy 2nd XV were without a match on Saturday, as scheduled hosts Wyvern were unable to raise a side, therefore giving their opponents the points.

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Somerset 2 South
Bridgwater & Albion 3rds 31, Weston-super-Mare 4ths 46

ALBION 3rds went down by 15 points in an entertaining game at home to Weston-super-Mare 4ths.

Given that Albion are third from bottom in the table, and their visitors third, this was a creditable result.

This Saturday sees Albion travel to bottom side Tor 2nds.