South West 1 (West)
North Petherton 27, Bridgwater & Albion 23

THIS game had everything you could possibly wish for from a local derby, writes Richard Walsh.

Played in front of a crowd of more than 800, it was full of thrills and spills with the lead changing hands on several occasions but, eventually, it was the hosts who took the bragging rights.

North Petherton took full advantage of the gusting crosswind and, within two minutes of the kick-off, took the lead when Sam Williams went over in the right-hand corner for an unconverted try.

The hosts continued to dominate the opening exchanges and looked especially dangerous whenever they were given the space to run the ball.

However, gradually, Bridgwater played themselves into the game and, after 17 minutes, Stuart Heal put them on the scoreboard with a penalty.

Another Heal penalty, this time a long-range effort from halfway, landed between the posts to give them the lead.

Petherton replied strongly and went in search of their second try, only to be held up on the line by stout defence.

Undeterred, the home side regained the lead when Brogan Melrose kicked a penalty, but Bridgwater then enjoyed a spell in the ascendancy, rewarded on 35 minutes when Tom Fournier scored a try that Heal converted for 13-8.

Late in the half Petherton saw Jack Coles yellow carded, but this only seemed to embolden them.

Just before the interval Petherton were awarded a penalty, which they decided to run, and the ball reached former Bridgwater player Damian Griffin, who scored between the posts.

Melrose converted to put the hosts 15-13 up at the break.

Bridgwater started the second half strongly and were soon back in the lead.

Heal took a clearance in his own half and started a move across the back line that saw Luke Plummer in under the posts, Heal converting.

The visitors then went further ahead when Heal kicked another penalty to give them a 23-15 lead after quarter of an hour of the second half.

But North Petherton hit back and, after 60 minutes, Steve Pape scored a try which Melrose converted to bring them within a point.

And they led on 70 minutes as James Carter went over for an unconverted try in the right hand corner for 27-23.

Both teams continued to battle hard, but Bridgwater had Blundell yellow carded and the hosts took the win.

North Petherton: Dan Morgan, Sam Williams, Carl Jones, Steve Pape, Aiden Cotton, James Taylor, Mac Taylor, Cral Brown (cpt), Jack Kohler, Dominik Griffin, Damian Griffin, Nic Sesterat, James Carter, Mike Stevens, Brogan Melrose. Reps: Pete Dickens, Jack Coles, Henry Gliddon.

Bridgwater & Albion: John Hill, Garryn Basson, James Collings, Luke Plummer, Roger Drabble, Stuart Heal, Tom Fournier, Lewis Phillips, Shaun Mahoney, Adrian Tew, Taylor Buller, Dan Kemmish, James McClaughlan, Ollie Dunn (cpt), Micky Norman. Reps (all used): George Sluman, Ali Blundell, Matt Ransom.

***

Bridgwater Mercury:

POWER: Steve Pape crashes over for North Petherton. Pic: Chris Hancock

NORTH Petherton player-coach Steve Pape, who scored one of the tries that helped his side win the derby match, was a happy man when he reflected on the match.

He said: “It was a great afternoon from my point of view, as we got a win for everyone who turned up to watch.

“The game against Bridgwater is the one that you always want to win – especially at home.

“I thought that we started exceptionally well but then Bridgwater had a spell in the middle with a lot of ball, which cost us a lot of points.

“The character we showed in the last 20 minutes, when we ran at brick walls, gave us the edge.

“[Bridgwater’s 22-8 win in the reverse fixture] has been hurting me and my pride, and the boys’.

“The Pethy boys went out and showed real grit and determination and I am delighted with the way that we finished the game.”

Bridgwater & Albion head coach Simon Morrell said: “Of course it was a disappointment that we lost because you always want to win a local derby.

“But in fairness I thought Pethy rose to the occasion and deserved their win.

“It was a very competitive game that the crowd seemed to enjoy.

“The difference between the two teams was that when we played them at home we were stronger and they had a very strong side out on Saturday.”

He added: “It was unbelievable that we found ourselves eight points up with 20 minutes to go, after which we were really poor.

“We could have quite comfortably closed the game out if we had been a little bit more composed, and this is something that we will be looking at in training this week.

“It was tough day, we could have won and lots of boys stood up, but there were some who didn’t, so there will be some changes this week.”