Tribute South West One West

Bideford 27, North Petherton 12

NORTH Petherton are now all but out of the South West One West promotion race after slipping to a 27- 12 defeat at Bideford on Saturday.

The defeat, their eighth of the season, leaves them eight points behind second placed St Austell and 12 behind leaders Hornets with just two games to play.

Jacob Beleski and Chad Lowrie both crossed for Petherton, and Roberts added a single conversion, but it was largely an afternoon to forget for the visitors.

Ollie Wickett kicked Bideford in front with a penalty, but Pethy hit back almost immediately to take the lead with a converted try from scrumhalf Jacob Beleski.

Bideford regained the lead when Sam Olde latched on to Wickett’s delicate chip, and the home side followed this up with a third try through Matt Dennis.

Trailing 17-7 at the interval, Chad Lowrie pulled his side back into the contest when he rumbled over from close range – Roberts missed the conversion, but Pethy now trailed by just five points.

But Bideford full-back Pat Sanders touched down on the hour to extend the lead, and Wickett added a late penalty as the home side cruised to victory.

North Petherton take on Westonsuper- Mare tonight (Tuesday) in the semi-final of the Somerset Cup with the game to be played at Bridgwater & Albion RFC.

They then travel to St Austell on Saturday, April 12, for their penultimate league game of the season.