South West 1 West

Paignton Saxons 16, North Petherton 47

NORTH Petherton are the early pacesetters and extended their winning run with their most comprehensive victory of the season in beating Paignton, writes Simon Freeman.

Within two minutes, winger Oscar Tregganna scored out wide and Harry Roberts effortlessly slotted the extras.

Saxons came back strongly at Pethy with two penalties before Jervis Manupenu linked with Sam Williams to see James Carter score and Roberts convert.

Another soft penalty kept Paignton in the game but the final 15 minutes of the half saw two tries from Roberts and Damian Griffin to help them to a 28-9 lead at the break.

In the second half, Manupenu ghosted through the gaps to score under the posts with Roberts converting but the next 20 minutes were a stalemate with both teams defences holding firm.

In the 65th minute, Toby Harris added his name to the try scorers and then, with six minutes left, Arron Gibbs showed his power by evading several tacklers and bursting directly through some to score Petherton’s final try which Roberts duly converted, leaving the scores 47-16 to Pethy.

Man of the match: Toby Harris.

l On Saturday, North Petherton entertain Oldfield Old Boys (ko 3pm).