Tribute South West One West

Sidmouth 14, North Petherton 45

NORTH Petherton built on last week's victory over high-flying Cleve with a 45-14 demolition of Sidmouth on Saturday, writes Simon Freeman.

Pethy scored seven tries to seal a bonus point and keep themselves in the promotion hunt.

Petherton settled any nerves in the first twenty minutes with some strong defending and slick transferring of the ball.

The forwards just held the edge up front and from the platform the backs repeatedly got themselves in to attacking positions.

Sidmouth defended well but found themselves running out of defenders as Pethy scored two tries through hooker Sam Williams and back row Arron Gibbs - Harry Roberts converted both.

Pethy used the conditions to move the ball wide as early as possible and Jacob Beleski kept the play moving at pace with his slick and accurate service.

Before half time Damian Griffin and Mike Stevens secured the bonus point and Roberts kept his 100% record to double the lead.

Petherton extended their lead after the break with some clever interlinking between forwards and backs - which was finally ended by Jervis Manupenu, who crossed for a fifth.

The next set of plays belonged to Sidmouth who hit their straps and produced some excellent rugby which stretched the Pethy defenders and regularly created the extra man.

The home side showed their character with two converted tries one of which was started in their own half (14-28).

A few words of encouragement from the Pethy players ensured they ended the game on the front foot.

The visitors regained the momentum, with strong runs and quick ball making life difficult for Sidmouth to organise defensively.

The game ended with two more well worked tries from Harry Autun and Gibbs with his second.

The result sees Pethy stay in sixth place, five points behind second place Hornets.

They travel to struggling Clevedon next Saturday (March 22).

Brymore u16's 10, North Petherton U16's 43 The PETHERTON players recorded their third consecutive victory by playing some determined rugby against a physical side.

Brynn and Ben linked well at nine and ten to get the team moving forward - and the forwards performed impressively against a well-drilled side.

Pethy scored at regular intervals, but the game was always tense and neither team held back in attack and defence.