Rubgy Football Union Somerset 3 (North) Division

                       

Nailsea Backwell 2nds     v    Yatton 3rds

 

8                                                           14

 

 

Due to the start of the Rugby Six Nations competition last Saturday there was little league activity in the higher divisions which gave this local derby a larger number of spectators than normal.

 

Both teams sit in the upper half Somerset Three North and contained a mixture of players well over 40years old, a sprinkling of teenagers, some who had played rugby for 40 years and one or two that had started at the beginning of this season.

 

Apart from the first two minutes in which a Yatton break came to an end with an unforced chip ahead, it was all Nailsea Backwell playing up the slope and pinning Yatton down well within their half.

 

During the first ten minutes Nailsea's easily kickable penalty opportunities flew wide and minutes later a try saving tackle by Yatton kept the scoreline at 0-0.

 

But at 30 minutes the Nailsea three quarter line got it together as the ball flew between hands across the pitch and back again finishing with a try in the corner.

 

In the dying minutes of the first half with Yatton’s only meaningful excursion down the slope their winger was released to cross over in the corner and the conversion attempt literally slid over the horizontal. Turning round at 5-7.

 

Again for the first ten minutes Nailsea were well on the attack and having failed with a five yard scrum in front of the posts obtained a penalty which was converted.

 

For the remaining quarter of an hour Yatton started to get some cohesion in their play and it was Nailsea’s turn for desperate defence. With five minutes of full time to go Yatton dummied in the three quarter line to touch down, after a 5 yard scrum and the try was converted.

 

As finishing time drew near and during prolonged injury time competition became heated but neither side increased their points.

 

The spectators went away satisfied that they had seen a hard fought and surprisingly skilled competitive match where against the run of play throughout the visitors had achieved victory.

 

This Saturday Yatton 1st XV travel away to Torquay who are fourth in the South West 2 (West) Division.