Tribute South West One West

North Petherton 22, Cullompton 22

NORTH Petherton rounded off the 2013/14 season with a 22-22 draw at home to Cullompton, writes Simon Freeman.

This was a strange game with neither team at their best and both plagued by injuries - the opening five minutes belonged to the visitors who played with fluidity, only to be met by some resolute defending.

After withstanding the opening onslaught, Cullompton found their form and turned on the style by running out of defence and making serious yardage and stretching the visitors defence.

Within the space of 24 minutes Cullompton had taken a 9-0 lead after Pethy began to upset the official with infringements at the breakdown and three successful penalties reflected the disagreements.

The visitors did create opportunities with Sam Williams leading the team by example with rampaging breaks, Jervis Manupenu orchestrating attacks and Dan Morgan.

Unfortunately for Petherton handling errors crept in to their game and nullified the threat.

As half time approached the home side extended their lead with a well deserved try, to increase the lead to 16-0. Petherton refused to concede and the last five minutes belonged to them as they pounded the line but only being rewarded with a Harry Roberts penalty.

Petherton began to play a bit smarter with shorter drives to suck in the home side's defenders, before releasing the ball to the backs, who generally were equally matched throughout.

After a series of drives from a lineout the ball was moved swiftly along the line, with Damian Griffin timing his pass perfectly to Gavin Hancock who darted over, Roberts converted (16-10).

Cullompton responded well, especially when counter attacking from clearing kicks and made ground, with Pethy typically making last ditch tackles to deny the home side.

Pethy began to pick up again with Pete Kingston making short drives and keeping the visitors moving forward - a break down the short side saw the ball go through five sets of hands to reach Miles McNeillie, who deservedly ran in from 20 metres for the second try, Roberts converted.

As before, the home team refused to throw in the towel and pounded away with sparkling individual breaks or cohesive team play.

Chad Lowrie, Ben Tracey and Jamie Adams made valuable defensive contributions which kept the home team out until the official penalised Pethy that gave Cullompton the opportunity to retake the lead (19-17).

The topsy turvey match continued with Pethy in the ascendency, after a short drive from George Pettingell and Lloyd Williams which allowed the ball to arrive in the hands of debutant Cody who scored in the corner.

The last five minutes of the match was played in the Pethy half with both teams battling with all they had left - and just as Pethy believed they had hung on, the official awarded a penalty in front of the posts.

Cullompton after a short deliberation decided to take the draw with the last play of the match (22-22).