For their opening game of the season Yatton travelled to North Petherton for a highly entertaining and physical match against a strong and well organised team who just seemed to want it that little bit more especially in the first half
In the opening minutes there were knock-ons a plenty in the torrential rain as the ball proved difficult to keep hold of.
The majority of the scrums seemed to be awarded to Yatton but that was little comfort given the pressure they found themselves under as on more than one occasion they found the power of their hosts too much to hold.
More often than not though Yatton still managed to get the ball away but opportunities to break the line were then few and far between due to the speed and aggression of the home defence.
After nearly ten minutes and back under pressure in front of their own line, a Yatton pass went to the floor and was immediately scooped up by North Petherton to score and open their account.
The next few minutes saw Yatton really take the game back at North Petherton and some strong running and work at the ruck drove them up the field culminating with a pick and drive by flanker Danny Fogg to go through the defenders for a try.
Unfortunately try as they might, that was Yatton’s only score in the half.
A wayward pass here, an unsupported ruck there and just seeming to be a fraction slower to the breakdown allowed North Petherton to keep Yatton under pressure and the half ended Yatton 5 North Petherton 35
Into the second half and Yatton immediately appeared to be more physical at the breakdown and more direct in their running. In fact, although the opening score went to the hosts it was against the run of play when, after a number of continuous phases what looked to be a superb off-load out of the contact was instead intercepted and run back at Yatton.
A phenomenal cover tackle almost saved the day but the home-side back-up and there was little else that Yatton could do to stop the try.
The next two scores were both by Yatton. The first was based on some strong running that took them back up the field coupled with a work rate at the ruck that had really picked up as they powered their way towards the line.
When they were stopped just a couple of metres short a pick and go by second row Isaac Dahmani saw him power over the line to score. It was over fifteen minutes of hard, well contested rugby before Yatton then scored again.
Both sides had opportunities but the defences held firm until having driven them deep into their own half once more scrum half Jack Carter spotted a gap and tore through it to score. With the clock ticking into the last couple of minutes it looked like Yatton would take then honours for the second half but a couple of quickly taken penalties allowed North Petherton to regain some momentum and when another one was awarded just five metres out Yatton were unable to react quick enough to keep them out. That was the final score of the match and so it ended Yatton 19 North Petherton 47
All in all, there was much to be proud of from the whole team and plenty on which to build for the coming season which promises to be very exciting indeed
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here