WHAT a cracking day! Both sides up for it, committed, aggressive rugby and the result in the melting pot until the final quarter.

No problems for referee Shane Lewis in this full blooded Somerset Cup tie. The strong south-westerly wind and the sodden surface played havoc with the best of intentions from both camps, but they provided edge of the seat entertainment for the big crowd.

Taunton had the elements at their backs in the first half and were fortunate to be 12 points up at the break. Petherton hassled them at the breakdown, turning over possession several times and deserved to be on the scoreboard.

Sam Saunders landed four penalties before the break and on the stroke of halftime Tom Williams’ ‘Giteau’ penalty kick was blown off course from short range.

He made amends 10 minutes into the second session but when he tried again from ‘Halfpenny’ range, he came up short.

Taunton’s speculative handling at times gave their supporters severe palpitations whereas the visitors were more conservative in their approach.

When Petherton expanded in the 63rd minute, they knocked on in midfield, Taunton swooped, spread it left to Gavin Hancock. He streaked away from his marker for his eighth try of the season.

Near the end, County Stores man of the match, Chris Dennehy, poached the ball at the visitors’ scrummage base. Matt Ayres benefited, sprinting to the posts from halfway. His conversion brought down the curtain.

Many old friendships were renewed off the field and memories recalled. Most of all was the commitment to raise money for ‘Jimmer’ – £2,036 from the gate and the raffle goes to the fund.

Jim Clatworthy, who played for both clubs and Somerset, has a brain tumour and fund-raising is to help with his treatment.

Another match at 2pm on Sunday, December 6, at North Petherton between a home XV and a President’s XV is the next on-field fund raiser. Put it in your diary.