Blakebears RFC 45-24 Butleigh RFC

ON a bright spring afternoon at North Petherton RFC Bears were led on to their field of Dreams by Captain Anthony de Burgh and Vice Captain Ben Howden.

The hosts started strong with a fine try from Cam Hellier which he converted himself for 7-0.

Bears line out was dominant with Jack Carver in great form taking all of Bears' ball and further tries came from LJ (Kevin Kegan) with some strong and direct running.

Butleigh came back with some spirited play with Michael Duffy picking up at 8 cheered on by his Wife Wei Shu Duffy.

Jonathan Parish came off with a blood injury through his trademark no nonsense route one journey.

The front row of Neil Berryman Howden and Jason Richards started but due to a stud and large body mass malfunction from Richard's he unfortunately left the field.

Morgan Anderson filled in after a reshuffle in the pack and at the first break Bears were in the ascendancy.

Matthias Benischke had some fantastic runs up the wing and was stoic in defence and Deberg led from the front at 8.

Matthew Winter was in the chair at 9 but was met by a tidy and strong Butleigh's 9, the 2nd 20 was over with Bears still in the lead with Butleigh still at their heals.

A few change's were made with Nevino swapping his whistle to join the back line. Neil Baker came on and Joined Leon Kearle at 2nd row who picked up a try of his own in the 3rd 20. Ben Winter came back on and tackled his heart out defending the line.

Billy Vernon scored 4 fine tries but unfortunately only one of them was allowed but he had his trademark game with no nonsense direct running and hard tackling.

The 3rd 20 was well contested as had as the 1st & 2nd 20. Tranyor took the field of play as did Holloway Junior wearing most of Berrymans spare kit.

In the late part of the game both Howden and Thomas Armstrong added further tries with Cam Hellier adding the extras.

There was some fantastic play from the Butleigh team from 1 through 15 and Lexi as always and with a late cameo appearance from Snap Snapper.

Butleigh scored the last try with a fine solo run. Reedy blew for full time and Bears had won the first game and silverware of the season.

What a fantastic result for Blake Bears celebrating their 30th Anniversary Year.

Next game is on this Friday 29( Good Friday)evening against Simon Gingell's North Petherton RFC for the Wayne Russell Memorial Cup. Kick off at 7.30.