Tribute South West One West

North Petherton 18 Wells 13

A SECOND half performance full of grit and determination fired Pethy to overturn a 0-13 half time deficit against a Wells team who produced a clinical first half performance in attack and defence, writes Simon Freeman.

Tries from Harry Roberts - who finished with a 13-point haul – and Sam Williams completed a fine comeback from the hosts against a resolute Wells side.

Pethy captain Damian Griffin said: “We had to dig deep to get the win but we did make it hard for ourselves.

“We have to work harder to keep all our men on the field - we still haven't got there with our discipline.

“It was one of the most physical games we've played this season and we fought and worked hard to battle back. “Our forwards yet again worked so hard and the backs defended well – we’re really pleased with the character shown and it was great to have Dominik Griffin back after being out for so long.”

In difficult conditions with the wind blowing down the pitch conditions favoured Wells in the first half who took advantage with some attacking rugby.

Pethy had the best of the opening five minutes and were unfortunate not to open the scoring.

However, it was Wells who opened the scoring in the 18th minute and doubled their lead in the 19th minute with two penalties.

The best play of the half belonged to visitors who won a penalty under their own posts and set off at speed to allow Lewis Smith to go over - Cook converted to give the visitors a 13-point advantage.

The second half saw the conditions influence play as Petherton began to hold the momentum.

Pethy made some strong breaks from Simon Gingell, Arron Gibbs and Pete Dickens to place Pethy in the right part of the field and force a penalty, Harry Roberts converted (3-13).

Tito Elisara and Chad Lowrie tested the defences with some strong runs and with 15 minutes remaining Pethy produced a moment of quality as the ball was moved along the backline to find Roberts in space to score and convert to close the gap (10-13) Pethy won a series of penalties and decided to kick for position and let the forwards barge their way over but still Wells refused to yield.

The visitors work rate in defence was impressive and just as the home supporters were beginning to think it wasn't their day, Sam Williams typified the spirit to charge his way to the line and reach over to move Pethy in to the lead for the first time (15-13) Wells bounced back and continued to attack from under their own posts but were penalised for Roberts to increase the lead.

However, the last few minutes saw Wells attack the Pethy line with wave after wave but determination shut them out until the official blew the final whistle.