South West 1 West
Matson 29, North Petherton 21

NORTH Petherton 1st XV slipped down the South West 1 West table after defeat away to mid-table rivals Matson.

A 29-21 victory for the hosts saw them go up to sixth in the standings, with North Petherton falling to 10th – but there are just four points between them and Bideford in fifth.

North Petherton are at home this Saturday (ko 2.30pm), for their derby encounter with Bridgwater & Albion, who are currently eighth.

North Petherton 2nd XV, meanwhile, hosted Bridgwater & Albion 3rds in Somerset 2 South, and strolled to a 55-5 win.

The result saw Pethy climb to third in the division, level on points with second-placed Winscombe 2nds and with a game in hand.

This Saturday North Petherton are away to Burnham-on-Sea 2nds (ko 2.30pm), who sit one place and three points behind them.

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Somerset 2 South
Morganians 22, Chard 2nd XV 6

SOMERSET 2 South leaders Morganians remain well clear of the pack, after they recorded their 13th win from 13 this season against Chard 2nd XV.

Chard took the lead through a penalty, though Will Hopkins levelled with one of his own.

Chard retook the lead 6-3, but in the last 15 minutes of the half Morgs found some of their pre-Christmas form, and Jordan Cooper broke through to score a try converted by Hopkins.

Bridgwater Mercury:

HOLD ON: Morganians versus Chard 2nds. Pic: Steve Richardson

Chard were down to 14 men for a high tackle, and again Cooper got in to score in the corner for 15-6 at half time.

After the break Hopkins scrambled over the line for a converted try, but the last 20 minutes of the game saw errors and penalties prevent any sort of continuity, and Morgs were denied their 13th consecutive bonus point.

Next week Morgs visit Minehead 2nds and will be aiming to show some improved form on the pitch.

Morganians: Modley, Luke, Pierce, Weller, Grimstead, Croker, Carter, Cooper, McGeown, Hopkins, Williams, Stafford, McGeown, Bullion, Winter. Subs: Richards, Smith, Chillingworth, Criddle.