Saturday 26th
February 2005 (League Match)
0 35
‘Yatton help to relegate Matson’
A short few years ago Matson were a mighty power in the South West division, but how times have changed. Staring at relegation they have lost players and seem physically smaller than last season. In desperation their tactic is to spoil the ball and cause of the ball incidents.
The start of the game was dour with, to give credit, the homeside giving a gutsy performance but at the same time committing very basic errors. Meanwhile the Yatton 15 were still trying to shake off the effect of the extended coach ride and failed to take advantage.
Dave Keating’s penalty for Yatton was the only score coming at the end of the first quarter.
In the 30th minute Matson had two players yellow carded. The exchange Referee from Leicestershire explained afterwards that one side wanted to play Rugby and the other just wanted to spoil.
Shortly after Alan Walters finished off a move and within minutes Yatton’s pack were awarded a Penalty Try, which Sam Osborne converted.
Osborne’s first penalty within two minutes of the turnaround put Yatton into clear water by 18-0 ahead. But with a change of players, Matson’s pack began to apply pressure in set pieces.
It took until the last 15 minutes for Yatton to find any kind of form. Osborne landed another penalty and Chris Harris broke through to ground the ball.
With 5 minutes to go wing Tom Phillips, brought on as replacement, took full advantage of good hands in the back division, broke two tackles and touchdown to give an easy conversion. Osborne converted the last two tries.
This SATURDAY Yatton 1st XV
travel to neutral ground, at North Petherton, for a semi final of the Somerset
Cup against local neighbours Clevedon.
On SUNDAY (Kick-off 2-00pm) Bridgwater meet
Weston Hornets at the neutral venue of Yatton in the other semi final contest.