With these two side due to meet again in the Somerset Vase Final so this match was a clear test to set the tone for the imminent final.

Yatton started the stronger team with good ball retention and territory to keep The Stags in their own half. After 8 mins Yatton were awarded a penalty to take the lead 0-3 but Tim Piper responded two minutes later to level the score 3-3.
The game struggled to flow for many periods of the first half due to various infringements, handling errors and some dubious official decisions and it was another Tim Piper penalty that gave The Stags the lead after 25 minutes. 6-3
Yatton kept banging on the Stags door but there resolute defensive line worked to perfection and Yatton were unable to penetrate the line. The Stags had a couple of try scoring opportunities towards the end of the first half but forced errors let them down and the first half finished 6-3.

The second half started in similar fashion for the first 10 minutes with both sides seeking that elusive try but nobody knew what was about to happen next. The Stags began to retain the ball well, keeping possession and gaining territory then went on a stampede for the next 30 minutes.  First up was Ryan Beard to score the first try, taking his tally to ten this season, and Piper converted. 13-3

Only a few minutes later, Eoghan Westhoff showed his strength and skill set by slipping ‘n’ dodging several tackles with his galloping run to score the second try. 18-3.

Next up was Ash Cutter, who found the gaps, broke the line with a monstrous hand off to a  Yatton player and race over the line to extend the lead. 23-3.

Yatton didn’t know what hit them and it wasn’t too long before Piper kicked to touch, from an awarded Penalty, on the 5m line. The lineout was won, a maul was formed and the forwards kept the ball tight knowing the try line was only meters away and Hooker, Adam Peters, came up with the goods to score The Stags forth try and seal the bonus point. 28-3.

By this point, Yatton’s heads had dropped, as they ran out of steam, and The Stags went on the rampage up the pitch yet again. Several phases of play went by and Tom Stevens had the last laugh by scoring the fifth try under the posts and Piper converted with the last kick of the game.

Final score 35-3.

Next Week is The Old Boys Reunion & Sponsors Day at The Basc with the 1st XV taking on 3rd placed Imperial RFC. No doubt it will be a titanic battle for 80 minutes with a large crowd expected. KO is at 2.30pm.