South West 1 West
Hornets 19, North Petherton 20

NORTH Petherton won their first match of the new rugby season, by a one-point margin away to Hornets on Saturday.

That outcome looked far from likely when they slipped to a 14-0 deficit, but two tries brought them back into contention, the hosts leading 14-12 at half-time.

Ozzy James went over for his hat-trick try to extend the Hornets’ lead to 19-12, but a penalty and a pushover try from a scrum gave Pethy the crucial victory.

This coming Saturday sees Pethy entertain Keynsham, who have won all three of their matches played so far.

***

Somerset 1
North Petherton 2nds 32, Chew Valley 2nds 19

NORTH Petherton 2nds bounced back from their opening day defeat as they saw off Chew Valley 2nds on Saturday.

Their first try came from James Longhurst, who scored in the corner after a move that seen the ball move along the threes.

Mitchell Needham then received the ball just inside the 22m line to outsprint the Chew defence and go over for the second try.

The hosts had a third try when Steven Potter used all of his power to barge his way over the line, and Needham scored his second – and Pethy’s bonus-point fourth – as he showed too much pace for the visitors, taking the ball from well within his own half to sprint all the way to the try-line.

Pethy are on the road this coming Saturday, as they head south to take on Crewkerne.

***

NORTH Petherton Ladies were without a fixture at the weekend, and they are off duty this coming Sunday as well.

Beaten in their opening two Women’s NC 1 South West matches (against Newton Abbot and Chew Valley Cats), Pethy will target their maiden victory of the season when they host Westbury (who have won one and lost one so far) on Sunday, October 6.