Yatwell U16s welcomed the first of two mixed teams from touring side Bishop Stortford, with Clevedon taking on the other team in what was a tremendous afternoon of rugby.
The game ended up being heavily one sided in favour of the North Somerset side who put together a performance that rewarded them with 12 tries, nine different scorers, and a 59-15 victory.
Yatwell started their scoring strongly when an early line-out in the first two minutes was quickly moved to number eight Ned Hill in the centre who made significant ground before releasing winger Mo Sayce out wide to score the opening try.
The next try came after a five-meter attacking scrum for Yatwell, quick play from fly-half Jimmy Jackson-Patel committed the defence before making a short pop pass to centre Kieran Thomas who crashed through to score.
These two scores were followed by multiple great team tries that saw Yatwell move the ball from the forwards to their backs seamlessly, utilising their quick hands and fast passing.
The first was produced after some Bishop Stortford pressure meant Yatwell had to pass their way out of a scrum on their five meter line, but then continuous play between a half dozen or so players that include passing out of the tackle, popping up off the floor, quick ball from the base of the ruck and then quick hands to players running onto the ball saw Hill finish it off with a score.
If the previous try was a product of Yatwell’s attacking teamwork then the next came from their defence.
After defending a Bishop Stortford lineout on their own five-meter line Yatwell turned the ball over with some great defensive work and although their attack was paused by a forward pass, they applied significant pressure again as Bishop Stortford passed the ball away from the scrum.
A spilt pass was all the invitation Thomas needed to gather the loose ball and tear off down the pitch for his second.
Yatwell finished off their scoring for the half with two more tries.
The first came after multiple big hits from the Yatwell defence forced a forced fumble from Bishop Stortford and Mo Sayce was on hand to scoop it up and go the distance for his second of the game.
The final score of the half came from Hill who received a pass out from a scrum and had the strength and speed to make it to the red zone, sending the teams in at the half with Yatwell 40-0 up.
The second half was much more even, with both teams getting on the scoreboard.
Yatwell started off where they left off in the first period when scrum-half Jack Carter spotted a gap five meters out from the line, and the next was for Phil Clarke after driving over from a line-out.
Bishop Stortford then replied with two scores of their own, both coming from counter attacks where they managed to move the ball and exploit gaps in the Yatwell defence.
The home team came back with one more of their own, a try from fullback Billy Taylor, before Bishop Stortford finished off the scoring for the game with a try in the corner.
With the last 10 minutes being tightly contested and both teams staying organised the game ended with Yatwell coming out on top with a score of 59-15.
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