YATTON R F C - WESTERN COUNTIES (NORTH) League
Media Contact – Tony Watkins Tel/Fax 01275 – 875944 E-Mail ‘tony@awwandco.com’
Tuesday 9th January 2007 (Somerset Cup)
23 17
Yatton’s evening experiment didn’t quite work
Yatton’s position of fielding a largely experimental side mid-week under lights narrowly failed to get them through this round of the Blackthorn Somerset County Cup.
On a heavy sticking pitch they started with the wind advantage but didn’t use it. Tor seemed to have extra weight in the scrum and throughout the match dominated in that area.
After 15 minutes the Tor back division evaded a crucial tackle and met no effective cover, breaking through to cross over.
10 minutes later wing Phil Morgan levelled the score for Yatton, finishing off after a retreating attacking scrum on Tors 22 line.
Tor edged in front with their penalty conversion at 40 minutes after Yatton had done well to keep them out from a prolonged series of 5 yard scrums on the visitor’s try line.
With Tor able to use the little wind there now was, in conjunction with their pack, the inevitable try came at 55 minutes putting the home side at 18-5.
Eventually, using replacements to partially beef up their attack, Yatton’s travelling supporters saw signs of improvement as Sam Osborne finished excellent open play through the threequarters.
But with approximately 15 minutes to go, and ‘up-for-it’ Tor constantly winning ball against the head, the visitors were well under pressure. Within minutes Osborne’s try points were erased by a Tor attack finished by their wing in the corner.
Yatton’s choice to attempt ‘lineout take and drives’ in attack proved questionable but Morgans try beneath the posts with Osborne’s conversion 5 minutes before the final whistle did add some respectability to the score line.