Saturday 17th Sept 2005 (Powergen IntermediateCup)
8 32
‘Exmouth backline turns the tide’
With 10 first team players who had played in the first league match of the season being unavailable or rested, and Yatton fielding 3 sides at home, it was a busy day at The Park last Saturday.
Being matched in the Powergen Intermediate Cup against Exmouth, who play one league division above, meant the homeside expected a tough task.
The pack easily matched their heavier opposite numbers, especially the front row three, and Yattons notorious lineouts have improved over the last few weeks.
End to end activity was evenly matched during the first quarter until Exmouth’s ever threatening back division ran in their first try. Yattons only response was Sam Osbornes penalty which bounced in off the crossbar.
Yatton attacks faultered at the final pass and their defence was frequently tested, occasionally coming up short against the Visitors threequarter line. Two converted tries for Exmouth bought the half time scoreline to 3-19 but didn’t really reflect the run of play.
Yatton became flatfooted in the first part of the second half but still the opposition was restricted to only a penalty conversion and single try.
With 20 minutes to go Yatton injected fresh legs and pace with a couple of replacements. Spilt ball denied the first try and embarrassed the scrum half who then made up for it as Osborne received the final pass and edged the homeside on to 8 points.
Exmouth then upped a gear but again Yattons defensive skills held out only to conceed a ‘sucker’ try seconds before the whistle.
This Saturday Yatton travel away to meet Gordon League who, like Yatton, have won their league matches so far this season.