Yatton escaped relegation on the last day with victory over Burnham.

Yatton 16 pts

Burnham 7 pts

YATTON went into this final game of the season against fifth-placed Burnham, knowing only victory would save them from relegation.

The visitors got off to a storming start, being awarded a penalty try, which Tim Piper converted after seven minutes. Minutes later Jon Bale slotted his first penalty for Yatton and the home side began to secure ball from retreating scrums.

Soon after, Bale converted his second penalty. With the wind in Burnham’s favour, the midfield battle continued until half-time with the score line on 6-7.

Replacement player-coach Elisi Vunipola brought himself on at half-time, and Yatton’s assistant coach Andy Fido had to assess the situation.

On the hour, Yatton were adjudged held up over the opposition try line on three occasions. However, the home pack got their reward when seconds later Bale kept up his 100 per cent record with another penalty from near the touchline, putting Yatton in front for the first time at 9-7.

With five minutes of normal time to go, this season’s captain and wing Chris Edwards found space to evade tackles and touch down to give Bale an easy conversion.

Burnham needed to score twice to rob Yatton of their place in Western Counties North next season, but little ground was made against Yatton’s determined and superb blanket defence.

After the match, Yatton learned that Whitehall had beaten Barton Hill at home, and although Yatton have a better match points difference, it was that one slender league point which gave the added comfort factor.