Yatton vs Torquay Athletic

17 18

Yatton Scorers - Tries: N Garnham, M Harris. Cons: T Hill (2) Pens T Hill

‘Yatton surprise Torquay’.

Travelling Torquay were shocked to find themselves 17-3 behind shortly after 50 mins of play.

Within the first 5 mins wing Glen Jones took the initiative down the blind side and after two hand offs, lobbed the ball infield for following Nic Garnham to finish off beneath the posts. Tony Hill converted for Yatton.

Hill added a penalty conversion minutes later with Torquay finding it difficult to live with Yattons mobility around the park.

At the beginning of the second quarter Matt Jackson retrieved a penalty for the visitors and their pack began testing Yatton on the attack within the homesides 22.

But Yatton finished camped on Torquay’s 5 metre line in the remaining minutes of the first half.

Although Torquay were solid enough in set pieces Yatton’s pressure seemed to rob them of their shape and structure. Darren Stone’s interception on their 22 finished with his pass to centre Mike Harris who cantered between the posts. Hills conversion putting Yatton well in front to the delight of homeside support.

But less than 3 minutes later the ‘Tics’ powerful pack clicked into gear and No 8 John Arnold grounded from a driving maul. Jackson easing the visitors to 17-11 with the last quarter to go.

As Yatton still managed to wrong foot Torquay in open play Jones was unlucky to be taken out, after he chipped ahead charging down the wing.

But it was Yatton’s forwards valiant display against Torquay’s power and fitness in the pack which, for the second Saturday running, had to be admired. They repelled at least 5 consecutive scrums on their tryline during the dying minutes. Inevitably Prop Steve Smith was adjudged to have grounded. Jackson’s conversion proved to claim the slenderest of wins, meaning another league loss for Yatton against yet another team from a seaside town.

This Saturday Yatton travel to Tadley, near Basingstoke for their first round in the National EDF Trophy.