North Petherton vs Penzance & Newlyn – Match Report

‘Pethy’ Comeback Sinks the Pirates

By Phil Westren

North Petherton 34 – Penzance & Newlyn 32

The Pirates were left frustrated at the end of this Regional 2 SW fixture, as they knew themselves it was a game they should have won. Twice appearing comfortably ahead, it could have been a case of five league points safely bagged at the Somerset team’s Beggars Brook ground, whereas they had to ultimately settle for two.

The Pirates built up an early 19-0 lead before a couple of converted tries from ‘Pethy’, to give the Somerset club its nickname, created a different picture before halftime.

In the second half it was hoped the Pirates had learnt their lesson when once again they opened up what looked a healthy lead, but it would prove not to be the case. With the clock running down, and the scoreline reading 19-32, North Petherton refused to buckle, and after suitably nudging the scoreboard operator more than once, they delivered a sucker punch score to deliver for them a celebrated 34-32 win.

For the Pirates wing Dan Rhys Evans scored a hat-trick, and there was one try apiece for Evans’ fellow wingman Joe Norways and for centre Josh Semmens. Fly-half Rhys Brownfield was successful a with a penalty slot, and full-back Ben Wragg landed two conversions.

Speaking after the game, Pirates’ head coach Murray Westren said:

“Of course, there was credit to North Petherton for achieving the winning result, but neither side played particularly well.

“For us to have twice been in pole position to then let this game slip was both disappointing and frustrating, and I guess it was another example of there being much to learn this season playing in a higher league.”

North Petherton:   15 George Rowe 14 Seb Saunders 13 Mitchell Needham 12 Lewis Lloyd-Jones 11 Lee Powell 10 Ben Ashbury 9 Adam Coneybeare; 1 Travis May 2 Sam Williams 3 Owen Holmes 4 Richard Parrish 5 Ollie Grobler 6 Cameron Brown 7 Will Eccleston 8 Thomas Baxter.

Replacements:   16 Lewis Phillips 17 Callum Regan 18 Oliver Manchip.

Penzance & Newlyn:   15 Ben Wragg 14 Joey Norways 13 Harris Eddy 12 Josh Semmens 11 Dan Rhys Evans 10 Rhys Brownfield 9 Oscar Marr; 1 Dylan Arthur 2 Wes Eddy 3 Joe Best 4 Ben Martin 5 Sam Heath 6 Tom Hutton 7 Sam Carroll 8 Stan Somers (captain).

Replacements:   16 Dave Penrose 17 James Lambourn 18 Rhodri McAtee.

(Penzance & Newlyn are at home in the league this coming Saturday 25^th October for a 3pm kick-off versus Ivybridge)

📷Dan Rhys Evans - who scored a hat-trick in the match - Photo credit: Brian Tempest