North Petherton 19-6 Bridgwater and Albion

This game had everything you could possibly want from a derby, a large crowd of well over 400 who watched a hard fought contest between two sides giving it their all, but at the end of the day it was North Petherton who ran out the winners to retain the local bragging rights for another season.

This game was a wonderful advertisement for rugby and was clearly much enjoyed by the players and spectators of both sides, writes Richard Walsh.

Bridgwater kicked off in the pouring rain, but it was the home side who had the early possession and created pressure. However the visitors defended well and on six minutes a long clearance deep into Petherton territory led to a penalty which Tom Steer slotted home.

The hosts came straight back onto the attack and a good break down the left wing by James Taylor took them close to the visitors line.  The ball was then worked across the backs and it looked as though Petherton had scored but the try was disallowed.

Bridgwater regrouped and shortly after captain Taylor Buller burst through the middle from his own half but close to the try line he was held up.

On the half hour Cam Modley made a strong break towards the Petherton line which led to another penalty that Steer duly kicked making it 6-0 to the visitors.

Both sides were reduced to 14 when a player from each side was yellow carded following a minor altercation near to the half way line.

Just before the interval the hosts took the lead when Jack Rees went over for a try to the right of the posts which Sam Morrison converted making the score 7-6 at half time.

After the break Bridgwater started strongly and winger Tom Croal made a lot of ground with two telling breaks down the left wing, but neither resulted in any points.

Soon after the re-start the sun came out and the rest of the game was played in much more conducive conditions.

After 20 minutes Croal was involved with another slick move down the left flank this time linking well with Danny Mahoney which took Bridgwater close to the Petherton line, but once again they came up just short.

The hosts kept on coming back and following a strong run from deep in his own half Petherton scored a try when Connor Perkins crashed over from close range.

The game was far from over as Bridgwater worked their way back into home territory and following a line out close to the line they went over for a try, but it was disallowed.

With the game now into the final stages Mitch Needham relieved the pressure with a long clearance which saw Petherton spend the last few minutes near to the Bridgwater line.

Bridgwater defended well as they had done all afternoon, but eventually the hosts were rewarded when Carl Brown went over for a try which Sam Morrison converted soon  after which the whistle went for full time and Petherton ran out the winners 19-6.

North Petherton RFC -Dan Morgan, Jake Ellis, Alex Ogilvie, Carl Brown,Connor Perkins, James Taylor, Sam Williams, Adam Conybeare, Sam Morrison, Zak Evans, Damian Griffin, Mike Stevens and Mitch Needham.

Replacements all used- Lewis Phillips, Aaron McGough and Bert Cowley

Bridgwater and Albion RFC- Cam Modley, Jordan Buller, Graham Slorance, Taylor Buller (vice capt), Tom West, Karolis Urbonas, George Sluman (capt) Jack Perry, James Collings, Tom Steer, Tom Croal, Jay Owens,Lewis Plece, Dan Lang Danny Mahoney.

Replacements all used- Gavin Knight, Josh Parker and Ollie Phillips.