Carolyn Mitchell Memorial Cup: Taunton Utd 12, North Petherton 0.

TAUNTON United triumphed in the annual Carolyn Mitchell Memorial Cup after another highly competitive match against North Petherton on Good Friday.

The game started just as the heavens opened but both sides kept control of possession and made strong attacks into their opponents’ half but defences held strong.

The Taunton line-out worked well with Juan Gray and Tom O’Keefe taking Pethereton ball.

From a line-out in the Petherton 22, a big drive from the pack worked its way over the try line and powerhouse Ross Seaton crashed through to score.

Petherton got close to Taunton’s line but big tackles and fast rucking kept them out, with Lee Jeremiah turning over plenty of ball in the loose.

After half-time, Petherton’s pick and drive game made ground but Taunton worked overtime in defence, Mark Winter saving a certain try with a last-ditch tackle.

It was even for most of the half and it took some slick hands from wingers Chris Hurley and Kyle Giblett to make ground out wide.

Taunton’s hard work was eventually rewarded with a try.

Prop Campbell Davis started a move in his own half and some quick phases opened up the line for O’Keefe to cut through and score under the posts. Paddy Dean slotted the conversion.

Many changes were made but the flowing rugby never stopped in a good, hard game as Taunton held out for victory.

TAUNTON United, already promoted, travel to Bristol Barbarians for their final Somerset One game of the season on Saturday.