YATTON R F C - 1st XV Western Counties (North)

Media Contact – Tony Watkins Tel/Fax 01275 – 875944 E-Mail ‘tony@awwandco.com’

Saturday 20^th January 2007 (EDF Senior Vase- 5^th Round)

Yatton 1^st XV v Chosen Hill

7 16

Yatton Scorers - Tries S.Hill. Cons Keating

‘Absences & Options Cost Yatton chance at Twickenham’

This cup game was a near repeat of the previous league encounter between the two teams.

In that match Yatton ,at home, trailed at half time by 0-27 and recovered to win 28-27.

With the same teams, same venue and the visitors Chosen Hill again starting down the slope with the wind advantage they were a try in front after only three minutes.

But the major difference was that Chosen Hill had learnt their lesson and largely avoided defensive mistakes in the second half while absences in the Yatton lineup made them look very second rate, seemingly choosing wrong options even before the match, and too frequently lacking direction. Admittedly there was the highly unusual occurrence of having the same Referee adjudicating as the previous Saturday and this time without the assistance of two qualified referees as assistant Touch Judges. Three Officials is the norm for such cup matches. Whereas, at the previous Saturday’s match, a normal League encounter with no requirement for three officials they were there.

But fair enough on the day and on balance Chosen Hill deserved their win and their progress towards playing at Twickenham.

After centre Dale Rennebach had touched down for Chosen Hill, Yatton squandered possession at the oppositions try line at the end of the first quarter.

Attempting attacking kicks against the wind turned into a situation of being penalised and not releasing, giving Chosen another three penalty conversion points on the half hour.

At 40 minutes Chosen attempted two assisted penalties from halfway but then came the classic try of the match. From a five-metre attacking scrum a kick across field was timed and distanced to perfection, giving wing Alex Ballard an unopposed catch and touchdown bringing the visitors to 0-13.

Even with the wind in their favour and low sun behind them, Yatton could not break down Chosen’s defence, too often selecting the wrong options in the mud and sticky conditions.

At 70 minutes after a prolonged period in the opposition 22, Prop Stu Hill for Yatton was adjudged to have grounded the ball from a ruck and maul beneath the posts. Dave Keating converted.

Within seconds Chosen swept up the field and retrieved some of the difference from a gifted penalty, putting them again more than a converted try in front.

After a period of ping-pong midfield kicking, this vital match for both teams finished off with Yatton camped well within the visitors 22 and knocking on at the final whistle.

This Saturday Yatton 1^st XV travel away to Berry Hill to try and maintain their Top of the Table position.