Chard 18 North Petherton 7

NORTH Petherton lost out to Chard 18-7 in a dogged and physical battle on Saturday, writes Simon Freeman.

The early exchanges exclusively belonged to the home side as they started the stronger and immediately placed Petherton under pressure.

Chard throughout the match favoured attacking down the right hand side and as early as the third minute exerted enough pressure to force a penalty that was successfully converted (3-0).

This encouraged Chard to continue to attack as they worked their way up field from their own half and to within five yards of the Petherton line. The Petherton players all working hard in defence but Chard just seemed a bit smarter and moved the ball along the back line where it was finally scored in the left hand corner (8-0).

Petherton began to play themselves in to the game in the tenth minute, a couple of good drives from Sam Williams, Pete Dickens and Toby Harris secured some quicker ball and Jacob Beleski prodded through a delicate grubber kick for Gavin Hancock only for the covering defender to make a timely intervention.

Petherton started to open up the game and attempt to move the ball around the park however, an interception from a Chard centre forced Petherton to defend for their lives and only an excellent cover tackle by Damian Griffin prevented another try.

Chard continued to apply the pressure and secured another penalty to extend their lead (11-0).

Petherton regrouped and produced their best moment of the match; Arron Gibbs picked up from the base and made 20 yards with the ball speeding across the back line, a couple of short drives and with Damian Griffin noticing a gap around the fringes he shot through the hole to scored from 25 yards, Harry Roberts converted (11-7).

James Cox and James Taylor both worked tirelessly in the lineout against a well-organised set of forwards and on three occasions disrupted the home sides attacking platform.

Chard secured the killer blow in the 66th minute from another set piece and after a couple of short attacks they barged their way over for a converted try to increase the lead to 18-7.

The final whistle blew with the ball in visitors half to the delight of the Chard players and supporters and the disappointment of the Petherton contingent.