Cheltenham North 33 pts Yatton 3 pts

Refusing to be overawed by their unbeaten, table-topping hosts Yatton gave as good as they got during an evenly contested first half but the pedigree of the league leaders was clearly evident after the oranges as their physical superiority enabled them to overcome the mud and rain.

Yatton defended superbly as backs and forwards worked in close harmony and they enjoyed their fair share of possession during an entertaining first period. It was nip and tuck for almost half an hour at which point Cheltenham inched ahead with a penalty goal. They repeated the dose shortly afterwards before Sam Osbourne replied in kind to cut the deficit to three points at the break.

The visitors came under mounting pressure as the champions elect did their best to raise the tempo but Yatton enjoyed their moments in attack and full back Sam Osbourne broke from his own 22 to instigate a free-flowing move among the backs only for some determined defence to snuff out the threat just short of the line.

Three tries in short order, all of which were converted by the unerring Ian Morgan, broke the hearts but not the spirit of a brave and spirited Yatton squad and the final margin of victory rather flattered a very powerful and focussed Cheltenham.