Yatton vs Brixham

12 20

Yatton Scorers - Tries: M Harris, D Keating. Cons: T Hill

First Game in new division:-

Yatton only lose in last 10 minutes.

Despite having the home advantage, for their first game since promotion, Yatton knew that it was going to be a tough match having a couple of regulars missing and against visiting Brixham who had finished runners up in this division for the last two seasons.

In the hot late summer sunshine Brixham were first on the board as centre Ben Lovell slotted a penalty after 5 minutes.

But the Yatton reply was swift and decisive. Winning a scrum against the head just outside the oppositions 22, quick ball saw centre Mike Harris cut through under the posts. Full back Tony Hill confidently collecting the extra points.

10 minutes later Yatton missed a penalty conversion attempt but were forcing Brixham to make errors.

At 25 minutes the ‘old head’ of Dave Keating at fly half weaved outside and crossed over in the corner bring Yatton to 12-3.

During the remainder of the first half and 7 minutes injury time Brixham had a penalty bounce out off the upright but landed a second minutes later and Yattons attempt flew wide, but they finished on the attack well within the visitors half.

During the third quarter Yatton’s defence was severely tested and a fierce mid field battle developed with both sides making tactical replacements towards the end.

It was only at 70 minutes with the slight slope advantage and low sun to their backs that Brixham showed class. The ball flew from side to side across the field and back again until wing James Agates flew in and touched down. Lovell converting for the slenderest of leads.

Minutes later Yatton’s penalty chance to regain some points flew wide and in stopping a fierce attack on their tryline they were reduced to 14 men after a ‘professional’ yellow card was given out.

The home side managed to repel two 5 yard scrums during 5 minutes of injury time but Lovell finally broke through scant cover and converted on the eighth minute.

This Saturday Yatton travel to Weston Hornets who only avoided regulation last season because of replacing the number of teams in each division.

Footnote:-

Very late in the off season period Bridgwater & Albion, a National 3 side (a few divisions above Yatton) came knocking at the door of fly half Sam Osborne.

Sam having been groomed by Yatton RFC coaches from pre-minis thro’ to the regular 1^ST XV, with several appearances for Somerset.

All Yatton ‘aficionado’ supporters have a strong affection for Sam as a good lad with exceptional talent.

With his ‘Nickname’ apart, all his team mates and Yatton supporters were sorry to see him go but being true rugby supports Yatton RFC do not stand in the way of any young persons ambition or opportunities. It would be good to see Sam, and all his brothers, playing for premiership sides and even England in the future if that is what they want.

It seems that Bridgwater is already in Sam’s debt after his first game last Saturday. He scored one of the only two tries during their match against powerful Mounts Bay from Cornwall.