YATTON RFC

 

   14 January 2006

Clifton Rats  21  -   Yatton 3rd’s   34

 

Yatton made all the first running but determined last ditch tackling kept the Clifton line unblemished in the first fifteen minutes, and it was against the run of play, but nevertheless deserved, that Clifton was the first to score when they broke back from their own 22 and with good handling and excellent support play, put Yatton back on their heels.

 

Yatton persevered with their attacks and from  a ruck close to the line, the ball was worked to Dave Keating who dropped a goal for the first Yatton points.

 

The score remained at that point for the first half, with Yatton wondering what they had to do differently to overcome the Clifton defence.

 

The half time chat seemed to do the trick, as immediately into the second half, young Stewart Brain displayed a strong finish to get Yatton’s first try. Dave Keating added the conversion points.

The next try again came from a threequarter move after prop Martin Dixon stole a lineout ball which was quickly rucked out for John Parson to score.

 

With Yatton now in fine fettle, Adam Noble gathered a loose ball on the half way line and was despairingly chased by the Clifton defence who were unable to catch him as he scored to put Yatton further in the lead. It was the turn of Tom Jackson to add the conversion.

 

With the ball being moved around in gay abandon by both sides, the match was became an exhibition of running and passing, but it was again Yatton to benefit this time from a quickly taken short penalty which Dave Keating ran in, beating several defenders. Tom Jackson added the conversion.

 

Clifton certainly did not give up and they pounced upon Yatton’s loose passing to add two well taken tries from deep.

 

With the score at 27-21 and ten minutes to the whistle, Yatton were in danger of squandering this victory but another individual try from Dave Keating, with Tom Jackson adding the extra points ensured that Yatton had avenged the defeat they had suffered from the enterprising Clifton side earlier in the season.

 

Scorers:

Tries: Dave Keating (2),Adam Noble ,Stewart Brain, John Parsons

Drop goal: Dave Keating

Conversions: Tom Jackson (3)