Thornbury v Yatton

5 25

Yatton Scorers Tries M Harris, Osborne, Garnham. Cons Osborne 2. Pens Osborne, Drop goal Keating

‘Harris & Co take revenge’

Yatton proved that they are back to winning ways after a torrid run in the league before Christmas.

Having beaten North Bristol last Saturday, inspirational captain Chris Harris playing flanker, with brother Mike inside centre and scrum half Anthony Harris (no relation) and the rest of the team sought revenge for allowing Thornbury to catch up 18 points and draw the match in Yatton’s home encounter of this fixture earlier in the season.

A strong bitterly cold cross wind hampered the game throughout but it was Yatton who capitalised on the slope advantage in the first half.

Minutes after kick-off full back Sam Osborne slotted away a penalty and ten minutes later Mike Harris broke through the defence after Anthony Harris spun the ball wide from a solid scrum.

Thornbury’s determined defence and spoiling tactics held the visitors at bay for the next quarter but not without suffering a yellow card.

Minutes later Dave Keating’s trade mark drop goal edged Yatton further ahead.

Osborne’s gathering of the ball, touchdown and conversion from Keating’s chip put Yatton 18 points ahead with no reply at half time.

Within the first two minutes of the players half time warm in the changing rooms Nick Garnham gathered the home sides attacking stray pass and raced from Yatton’s 22 up the slope to give Osborne an easy and unexpected conversion.

It was then Yatton’s turn to be severely tested in a series of five yard scrums and attacking forays.

Thornbury’s persistence was rewarded by wing Matt Pritchards touchdown from good hands in the forwards and backs with 15 minutes to go.

But frequently Yatton’s seeking for revenge enabled them to smuggle the ball and force the home side back well into their own 22.