Saturday 10th September 2005 (League Match)

 

Yatton 1st XV       v                 Stroud 1st XV

 

26                                            23

 

Yatton Scorers     -Tries  C Harris, A Harris Cons S Osborne 2  Pens S Osborne 3 Drop Goal D Keating

 

 

37 years before to the exact date Yatton played its first competitive home game. In that team were Dave Hale, Bill Keating and Brian Tarr, all of whom watched Yattons first ever game last Saturday against Stroud and the opening of the new spectators terrace. Bill Keatings ‘little boy’ David even played a pivotal role in Yattons winning performance against the recently relegated visitors.

 

Although four yellow cards were issued in four separate incidents during the first half, two players from each side being binned, the play was hard and open. Strouds lumpy front row trying to intimidate and help their side to gain a quick return to the higher division.

 

Julian Harry opened the scoring for Stroud with a penalty conversion after 5 minutes and full back Lyle Robertson finished off a spectacular scrum drive from Yattons 22 ten minutes later but with no conversion.

 

Sam Osborne clawed Yatton back into contention with two more penalty conversions and on the last play of the first half added time Dave Keating drop goal sailed between the posts edging Yatton in front at 9-8.

 

Heavy drizzle turned into a warm tropical downpour for the second half but Yatton were fired up, Captain Chris Harris crashed through beneath the posts from excellent forward play, Osborn adding the extras.

 

Osborns penalty at 50 minutes increased the lead. Minutes later Keatings breakthrough and off load to Anthony Harris with yet another Osborn conversion put Yatton seemingly in clear water at 26-8. But seconds later Harry cleared another penalty and within minutes scrum half John Farr for Stroud was allowed to take a quick penalty for foot up in the scrum. Yatton were caught napping and his run in from the half way line gave an easy conversion. Apart from occasional breaks and missing penalties from both sides Yatton were made to defend hard in the last quarter.

 

This Saturday Yatton have all their sides at home. The 1st XV play against Exmouth from the South West 2 division in the Powergen Intermediate Cup. Kick Off 3.00 pm preceded by the VP Luncheon. The evening before (Friday 16th) is ‘Casino Nite’ raising funds for the Terrace Roof and Wraxall Hospice, tickets £15 includes refreshments entertainment and gaming chips – See www.YattonRugby co.uk