Tribute South West One West

Ivybridge 38, North Petherton 24

NORTH Petherton have slipped one place to fifth after going down 34-24 in a high scoring encounter at Ivybridge on Saturday, writes Simon Freeman.

The home team took the honours by playing at a faster tempo, but Petherton showed plenty of grit by coming back from an unlikely position and put themselves in with a chance of grabbing the points.

Kyle Presscott, Chad Lowrie and Arron Gibbs crossed for Pethy, but a late flourish from the hosts put the game out of reach.

Captain Damian Griffin said: "It was a very tough match and the players who stepped in did us proud.

“It did make it hard for us however Ivybridge played at 100mph for the whole 80 minutes which we were unable to keep up with.

“We had a few moments of top play but not enough to beat them. The game ended badly and we will need to sort this out in training.”

Ivybridge made a positive start with some slick, quick play which caught Pethy by surprise. Pethy defended stubbornly but were left helpless as the home team took a 7-0 lead.

The visitors responded typically and built up some momentum and eventually force a penalty, Harry Roberts closed the gap (7-3).

The momentum shifted back to the home team who shifted the point of their attacks to keep Petherton working hard defensively until they created an extra man to score in the corner to extend the lead to 12-3.

The game went in to a midfield battle as the breakdown became hard fought with neither team willing to give an inch.

Ivybridge looked to move the ball but Kyle Presscott skilfully identified a possible interception and within flash had dotted down the ball, Roberts converted 12-10.

The home team picked themselves up and took a stranglehold for a large remainder of the half and in this time scored two tries and a penalty to take a comfortable lead 25-12.

Petherton came out in the second half to put on a show and get their game moving.

They moved the ball sharply and possession to frustrate the home team.

Pethy attacked closer to the breakdown before moving the ball wider.

The pace of the visitors began to cause a few problems as they went over for two converted tries by Chad Lowrie and Arron Gibbs, both converted by Roberts (25-24).

With the game in the balance caution began to creep in to both teams but Ivybridge held out longer and created some breathing space with two penalties to extend the lead to 31-24.

Pethy continued to throw everything they had but the last word went to the home team with a converted try for a deserved victory (39-24).