Saturday 15th
October 2004 (Merit Table)
5 5
Often the unsung heroes of any Club are the reserve players the second string, those in waiting, the wannabees, sometimes always on the bench boys, frequently the bridesmaid rarely the bride……. So it was a nice change last Saturday, being a 1st XV non league day, to be able to see Yatton’s 2ND XV run out at home in front of a large crowd of supporters against Barton Hill in a merit table encounter.
Despite, and also possibly because of, the lack of scores the hard fought game in ideal conditions was a ‘nail biter’ to the end.
‘The Barts’ exploited a three man overlap at the end of the first 5 minutes but having been forced wide the try conversion was tricky and failed.
Although the visitors pack and centres looked bigger Yattons scrums were tight and developed a definite edge.
A certain try scoring chance for Yatton was frustrated when a homeside following up player was adjudged and signalled to have been obstructed but the ball carrier had already broken clear through.
Yatton were then involved in a series of defending scrums but Barts had to resort to desperate clearance kicks in their own deadball area as the game swung from end to end. The half time whistle came as the homeside were camped on Barts tryline
For the majority if the second half Yattons scrummaging gave plenty of ball and territory but it was not until 60 mins that No 8 Russ Hancock grounded from the back of a drive. Yatton were then unprepared and gave themselves a difficult conversion attempt which failed.
In the remaining quarter halfway line penalty conversion opportunities, which were against the run of play, nearly sneaked the game for Barts and resolute defence denied the homeside elusive points.
This Saturday Yatton 1st XV meet Thornbury in the League for
the first time this season at the Park Yatton. Kick
off 3.00pm preceded by what will be a well attended Vice Presidents luncheon