Jason Clarke

On a bleak and cold Sunday morning, Yatwell travelled into the unknown with this fixture having never been to Tebury before and what followed was a well contested and evenly matched game of rugby that entertained and frustrated in equal measure throughout.

Yatwell started really well with a good catch and drive, quick recycle and then putting the ball deep into Tetbury’s half. A Tetbury scrum was driven backwards and a subsequent knock-on gave Yatwell possession. Another great drive saw No. 8 Ned Hill pick go from the base to go over in the corner and Yatwell were on the board inside of the first three minutes. However, if Yatwell thought the rest of the morning would be that easy they were mistaken as Tetbury took the game back to their guests. Yatwell’s defence held firm against a number of waves of attack before a penalty at the ruck allowed Tetbury to put the ball out on the 5m line and a well worked move at the line-out saw them run down the blind and score in the corner to level the scores. Yatwell immediately went back on the attack and some tremendous pressure straight from the kick-off lead to a poor clearance kick which was secured and then popped from the tackle to outside centre Fergus McMeel who ran down the wing to go over in the corner. Tetbury responded straight away with good pressure of their own as a charged down clearance kick kept Yatwell inside their own 22m area. A couple of handling errors further increased the pressure before another penalty at a ruck just 5m out was driven forwards and recycled a number of times until eventually Tetbury scored so at the break it was Yatwell 10 Tetbury 12

With the re-start not going 10m Tetbury had a scrum in the centre and looked to kick deep into the Yatwell half. The kick itself was safely gathered but the Yatwell player was on his own for too long and inevitable Tetbury won another ruck penalty for holding on. Yatwell’s defence held firm against a number of drives off the lineout but a knock gave the hosts an attacking scrum and from there they ran hard and straight to power over for an early score. Back down to the other end went Yatwell and after a few minutes another dominant scrum saw the ball run straight at the defence where a quick recycled ball and was then gathered for a pick and by Hill who had the strength and speed to break through the defenders and add his second. 

With the scores level, it was then nearly ten minutes before the next try as Yatwell had a number of opportunities but some last ditch defence or any one of a number of handling errors saw the momentum lost. In the end it was Tetbury who found a way through with a penalty for a high tackle enabling them to move the ball wide and score. Five minutes later they added another one as a missed tackle allowed them to gain momentum inside the 22m area and a number of well won phases of possession saw them power over in the corner. With the minutes ticking by Yatwell were under pressure again but a great steal at the breakdown was popped wide to unleash winger Mo Sayce who scorched down the outside only to be dragged down a few metres short. A forward pass gave Tetbury the scrum but Yatwell’s pack turned them over and when the break down the blind was halted it was Hill who was first to the loose ball to scoop it up and cross the line to add his third. 

With time running out Yatwell tore back into their hosts from the restart running the ball through the defence, past their 10m line and then breaking down the blind. Unfortunately, Yatwell were again penalised for holding on at the ruck and with it went their last chance as the ball was kicked dead and the game ended Yatwell 22 Tetbury 31

Yatwell’s pack was magnificent in the scrum stealing at least 4 against the head and there was a huge amount of play to be really proud of but ultimately an accumulation of unforced errors and breakdown penalties robbed Yatwell of their momentum and that cost them the game

Tries: Ned Hill 3; Fergus McMeel 1

Conversions: Jimmy Jackson-Patel 1