Tribute South West One West

Clevedon 19 North Petherton 19

A TRY two minutes from time denied North Petherton victory in a nail-biting local derby at Clevedon on Saturday, writes Simon Freeman.

Pethy crossed for three tries at Coleridge Vale courtesy of Dominik Griffin, Sam Williams and James Cox, while Harry Roberts kicked two conversions – but the hosts hit back with three scores of their own to rescue a draw.

Despite conceding late on, captain Damian Griffin said his side were satisfied with a hard-fought draw. "We knew it was going to be scrap and we would have to keep it tight,” he said.

“The forwards were again immense with Tito and Harry in the centres putting in strong performances.

“We made a couple of mistakes which we have recently cut out but they cost us dear.

“Clevedon have had a brilliant second part to the season so to leave with a draw was a good performance.

“We are continuing to give everything and finish the season in a positive way."

The home team had the first opportunity through some good work from their forwards - and only some stout defending from Simon Gingell, Pete Dickens and Lewis Phillips kept them out.

Midway through the half, the Petherton forwards began to link superbly and shunt the home forwards back under the instruction of Dominik Griffin - and after a few short drives from Carl Brown, Arron Gibbs and Nathan Murdoch Pethy moved to within striking distance.

Griffin exploded around the back before stepping around two defenders to dive over and give Pethy the lead, Harry Roberts converted.

The second-half began in the same manner as the first, with both teams showing glimpses of attacking play - however it was Clevedon who scored first through scrum-half Josh Mortimore.

Typically Petherton responded positively with the forwards combining superbly to supply Jacob Beleski with some quick ball to keep Pethy in a strong position.

The forwards moved up a gear and produced some slick play through four sets of hands before James Cox barged his way over to extend the Pethy lead.

This time it was Clevedon who regrouped and moved the ball to orchestrate some sharp phase play – and from a five metre scrum, Mortimore added his second of the afternoon.

The game became an intense midfield battle with whole hearted collisions.

Petherton were forced to make a change with Sam Williams coming on in the front row despite the fact he was unwell – and it was Williams who restored Pethy’s lead with a try in the right-hand corner – Roberts expertly added the conversion.

Clevedon continued to hold nothing back and pressurised Pethy at every opportunity, before responding with their own moment of quality, as full-back Mike Lowis gathered his own chip ahead to dot down under the posts, with the conversion levelling the scores at 19-19.