YATTON RFC
5th November 2005
Yatton 3rd’s 18 v
Thornbury 3rd’s 27
The fixtures between these two sides always turn out to be close encounters and this game was no exception.
The Thornbury side started strongly, playing with the elements and the rub of the decisions, but it was the forwards platform which provided their backs with plenty of opportunities. These were well taken by good running and excellent handling and support play. For some time it was all the Yatton side could do to stem the tide,
From a short penalty Thornbury eventually got the try and goal that had been threatening. Yatton were trying to keep in the game and when they were kicked upfield to win a penalty. The resultant lineout and maul was well executed and Kevin Arnold beavered over for Yatton’s first points.
Shortly after Yatton was thwarted again by a good Thornbury move created by several quick offloads for them to go further ahead, but Yatton pulled back near half time with a Stef Vaughan penalty.
Yatton were spurred on in the second half putting a lot of pressure on the Thornbury line giving an opportunity for scrum half Jonathan Crew to use his strength and experience to rob a Thornbury ball at the base of the scrum and go over for an excellent individual effort, created from nothing.
Playing with more confidence the Yatton got into the lead when ‘Man of the Match’ Darren Pugh finished off a three quarter move in fine style.
The last ten minutes were tense, with both sides having chances, but it must be handed to Thornbury for clinically pulling off the win, again from their backs who scored two late tries against the tiring Yatton side.
Scorers:
Tries: Arnold, Crew, Pugh
Penalty: