Winscombe lost to Yatton in their top-of-the-table clash, denting their promotion hopes.

Yatton 32 pts

Winscombe 14 pts

In this top of the table clash on a fine afternoon for running rugby, Yatton were too incisive in their back division, in an otherwise evenly-contested match.

In the opening quarter against the elements, despite being awarded five penalties, Yatton were unable to escape from their own half.

Winscombe kept them pinned back with a driving and kicking game and took the lead with three Sam Dearsley penalties. The visitors increased their lead when Dearsley gathered a kick to send Stewart racing almost to the line, where he found Dearsley on his shoulder for the opening try in the 32nd minute.

Five minutes later, Yatton got into the opposition’s 22 for the first time in the match and scored a try in the corner to make it 14-5 at the break.

In the second half, Yatton’s superior back division cut great holes through the midfield to score four unanswered tries.

The hosts reduced the lead with a penalty, before they took the lead with a converted try. Yatton scored another try soon after to stretch their lead.

The next 14 minutes was error-strewn, but brightened by three runs, the first two on the counter, by Yatton’s powerful winger.

The third was when Yatton their won their throw-in on Winscombe’s 10-metre line after an excellent clearance by Steve Pugh under pressure on his goal-line. He came into the line and broke through to put his full-back over for the bonus point.

The final try came from a counter-attack which went the length of the pitch for a converted try under the posts to the jubilation of the home support.

Winscombe launched one last desperate attack in the closing three minutes and the game ended with their indefatigable skipper Dan Fryer being forced into touch.