Women’s National Challenge - South West 1
North Petherton Ladies 92, St Austell Ladies 8

NORTH Petherton Ladies continued their impressive form as they eased to a 92-8 win over St Austell Ladies.

Due to lack of players the game was played 13-a-side with uncontested scrums.

The points started off early for Pethy as they stole the ball at the breakdown through Tamzin Reis-Day.

Centre Sam England offloaded to full-back Claire Hancock, who passed to Amy Rose to run under the posts for the first try, converted by Gemma Baker.

Then, after a St Austell scrum, England made a big tackle, stole the ball and ran upfield before finding fly-half Stacey Saunders, who set up Billie Staite on the wing to score Pethy’s second converted try.

It was 21-0 straight after the St Austell kick-off, as captain England grabbed the ball and danced through the defence for Pethy’s third try, again converted.

After a fourth Pethy try on the counter-attack, St Austell got on the board through a penalty, but Pethy were out for more and fantastic interaction between the forwards and backs saw Saunders charge over for try number five.

St Austell kept fighting, and their bulldozing number 15 crossed the line for their first try of the game.

Pethy responded well and England soon ran in her second try of the game, converted by Baker.

Pethy then took control of the territory, putting pressure on St Austell’s set piece and winning the line out – the ball going through the backs, resulting in another try for Hancock.

As the game restarted England ran in her third converted try of the game to make the half-time score 54-8 to the home side.

Bridgwater Mercury:

BRIGHT SPARK: Sam England helped herself to six tries. Pic: Chris Hancock

The second period started with Pethy on the front foot again and, cheered on by fantastic support from the sidelines, it was 59-8 as England smashed through the St Austell defence for her fourth try of the game.

Play restarted and the ball landed into the hands of Hancock, who ran from halfway to score again.

Despite some decent attacking play by St Austell, they couldn’t get through the Pethy defence.

A massive tackle by Janet Dyer resulted in the ball being stolen and passed through the midfield for Hancock’s fourth try.

Pethy’s forwards enabled the side to unleash their powerful runners, with Saunders and England adding three more tries late on for a total of 14, and to bring the final score to a resounding 92-8.