Tribute South West One West

North Petherton 27,  Cleve 18 

NORTH Petherton fired themselves back into the race for promotion with a 27-18 victory over Cleve at Beggars Brook, writes Simon Freeman.

Damian Griffin scored a brace and there were further scores for Miles McNeillie and Harry Roberts, as Pethy surged to a bonus-point victory over the former league leaders.

In perfect conditions for attacking rugby both teams showed their intensions early, attacking from their respective goal line areas.

Petherton initially took the early honours with some clever off loads involving Harry Auten, who was instrumental throughout.

The home side took the lead in the second minute with a Harry Roberts penalty.

The next five minutes remained in midfield with defences ruling, until a charge down by the Petherton backs and led to a kind bounce for Damian Griffin, who reacted first to win the ball and sprint around the last man to score - Roberts converted.

Cleve closed the gap in the space of a few short minutes through a penalty and an expertly struck drop goal.

The 27th minute saw a change in fortune as a move which started in their own half on the left hand side was finished in the right corner for the visitors to take the lead with a converted try.

The lead was short lived as Pethy produced their try of the season, with Jervis Manupenu picking out McNeillie with a delicate chip to regain the lead. The second half was more of a cagey affair and the game took another twist when Cleve powered their way over from close range to make the score 17-18.

The game continued to flow and going end to end took another twist as Cleve produced a series of hard drives and just as Pethy were looking like they would hold firm, the visitors scored another good try (17-18).

But history repeated itself as Pethy responded with purpose - Beleski changed direction and moved the ball slickly along the line until in the hands of Griffin, who superbly finished off from 25 metres for his second.

As the game entered the last few minutes, Pethy camped themselves on the visitors line and with all the backs in position, Manupenu controlled the play to move the ball across the line to Roberts who glided through a gap to dot down and seal a vital bonus-point win for the home side.