Barum’s form at home is keeping them up

JORDAN Petherbridge’s penalty and a determined defensive effort clinched a win which edged Barnstaple further away from the relegation battle.

Barum again proved they are a match for most on their own turf – only leaders Cinderford had previously kept Henley to single figures – but they were hanging on at the end.

They had to soak up plenty of pressure in the first half but, in return, Henley struggled to cope with Petherbridge’s eyecatching runs from full-back.

From one of those, winger Will Topps grabbed the ball and showed the strength and determination of a flanker to score.

Petherbridge was also involved at the other end, making a try-saving tackle on Bradley Cook, before the half finished with Gwyn Parks not quite having the legs to turn an interception into a try.

Simon Perry and David Hyde went close for Henley early in the second half, before Joe Butler attacked from a scrum and grounded the ball against the post to level the scores.

Petherbridge, by now playing at scrum-half, kicked Barnstaple back into the lead with 16 minutes lef.

But Henley were not quite finished.

They swept forward in the closing stages only to once again be met by a solid red wall.

It refused to buckle and forced a decisive turnover.