Tribute South West One West

North Petherton 20, Wadebridge Camels 12

FIRST half tries from Mike Stevens and Jervis Manupenu fired North Petherton to a vital 20-12 win against Wadebridge, on a weekend that saw results go for them at the top of the table, writes Simon Freeman.

Stevens went over following a stunning 60 metre break, before Manupenu powered through a couple of tackles to touch down - Roberts added a further ten points from his trusty boot.

After a strong start from the visitors, it was Pethy who opened the scoring.

Playing into the wind, the hosts moved the ball from their 22 with Dickens, Brown, Taylor and Gibbs shifting the ball to Stevens, who from 60 metres out showed his speed to beat covering tacklers to the line, Harry Roberts converted.

This galvanised the visitors who produced their best passage of play to deservedly score in the corner after some heavy-duty forward work - a superb kick from the corner levelled the scores.

As the conditions deteriorated, running rugby became a second option.

Wadebridge wisely played for position with the wind behind them - and Pethy for all their possession, lacked the fluidity to stretch the visitors.

The second half began in the best possible way as from the kick off the ball arrived in the hands of Jervis Manupenu who stepped inside one man to stretch over, Roberts again converted (14-7).

As before, Wadebridge showed their metal with a positive response - this time favouring grubber kicks to turn the defenders and hitting the rucks to force turnovers. They scored their second try in the 52nd minute after more good work by the forwards to close the gap (14-12).

Pethy mixed their game from running rugby to long raking kicks, and some strong chasing saw the visitors pinned back.

After a period of pressure, Wadebridge conceded a penalty and Roberts duly extended the lead to five points.

Pethy used their replacements smartly with James Carter adding his experience to a tense finale and Nathan Murdoch contributing all over the park.

With minutes left, the official awarded another penalty for Roberts to slot over, to leave him with a 100% kicking success and seal a valuable four points for North Petherton.

With both Hornets and St Austell losing, North Petherton have climbed to joint second on 61 points, just six points behind leaders Cleve.

They travel to Sidmouth next Saturday (February 1).

## ELSEWHERE in Tribute South West One West, there was a bizarre end to the Clevedon versus Camborne game at Coleridge Vale, where the game was abandoned after strong winds blew over the posts at one end of the pitch.

Clevedon lead 6-0 at the time with only 20 minutes having been played.

Bridgwater & Albion host Clevedon next Saturday (February 1).