PETHY travelled to Bude on Saturday expecting a battle from a team who were a few places below them in the league, and a scrappy battle it turned out to be.

Petherton started brightly and after ten minutes were 7-0 nil up thanks to a try from powerhouse second row Mike Coles, converted by Sam Williams.

Bude got on the board with a penalty and then went 10-7 ahead, when they caught the ball from the re-start, shipped it out wide and one of their dangerous backs broke through tackles to score, with the extras added.

Pethy failed to take advantage when a Bude player was sinbinned and the score remained 10-7 at the break. The second half was as scrappy as the first, with both sides making mistakes.

Bude scored a well-worked try from a driving line-out move, with the conversion added.

The Oaks then made a few changes, with Ranson on for Prescott and Taylor on for McNeillie. Player coach Matt Foad also entered the fray late on. Pethy spent plenty of time in the hosts’ 22 but lacked cutting edge.

Mike Taylor was harshly sin binned in the 65th minute - one of a few strange decisions made against the visitors.

With ten minutes left, Sam Williams slotted a penalty to reduce the gap to 17-10, but Pethy could make no further breakthroughs.

Next up is a local derby against Burnham.

North Petherton are continuing to raise money for The Josh Evans fund, which supports young diabetics in Somerset.

All donations are much appreciated. Pethy members will be growing (or attempting) to grow a moustache during November.

For further information, contact press officer Simon Freeman on 07870-691194 for details.