North Petherton 26, Wadebridge Camels 16

North Petherton 26, Wadebridge Camels 16

PETHERTON secured their second home win of the season against a powerful well-organised Wadebridge outfit that tested Pethy until the final whistle, writes Simon Freeman.

The visitors opened the scoring with a penalty and then, almost immediately, Pethy were reduced to 14 men for an offence at another breakdown. Harry Roberts levelled the scores with a penalty and, within a minute, a powerful tackle by Carl Brown won another penalty in a similar position for Roberts to give Pethy the lead 6-3.

The Camels drove over for a try to take the lead 6-8 but Pethy responded again with the best try of the match in the 35th minute. It started with a Sam Williams change of direction in his own half, a James Carter pass to Dinger Stevens, who returned it back to Carter who found the storming Tito Elisara and with the deftest of passes for Gavin Hancock to glide over the line for a outstanding team try, Roberts converted to lead 13-8.

Another penalty got the Camels back in the game but Roberts also had his kicking boots on to regain the advantage 16-11 at half-time.

Petherton flew out of the blocks in the second half, as a fast-flowing move saw veteran Lloyd Williams give a perfect pass to Hancock who was unstoppable form 40 yards.

Wadebridge hit back but another Roberts kick kept Pethy’s noses in front and there were no more scores in the final 25 minutes to give the home side a 26-16 win.

Man of the match – Matt Brown; Match sponsor – Peter and James Lees.