Yeovil Rugby Club

Yeovil First close game for fourth round

Yeovil 28

Swindon 30

Yeovil were on the wrong end of a 28-30 score line at home last Saturday in the Tribute Southern Counties South. Starting their 2021/22 league campaign the Yeovil first XV have been on a high with 3 wins in 3, but unfortunately Saturday’s game did not gain them the result they wanted.

However, there was much to celebrate about Yeovil’s game, and the brilliance of the skills and physical ability Yeovil are currently displaying in their game performance.

Yeovil soon took the lead as the game began, a clean and quick attack strategy and were soon pushing up into Swindon’s 22. A close Swindon line out, with subsequent scrum for not being straight and Yeovil Captain Rob Burnell had forced his way through the defence and over the line, giving Yeovil Fly half Ashley Monaghan-Phelps a perfect position for kicking the conversion easily over the posts and putting points onto the board.

It wasn’t long until Yeovil were back into Swindon’s 22, with an impressive Rob Burnell back on the ball and crashing over the line directly under the posts. The conversion couldn’t have been sweeter.

 Some stand out carry’s throughout the first half by flanker Brad Harding Yeovil were looking strong and dominated possession, with big hits by Dan Roulstone and Dan Pennel as they successfully gained ground breaking the defensive line.

Swindon put points on the board with a penalty kick, keeping the scores close. succession of penalties

With the change into the second half, Swindon started the second half on the front foot, seemingly returning to the pitch with an increased aggression and desire for the win. Upping the tempo and putting Yeovil through their paces, Swindon put the ball down over the try line quickly in the second half.

Yeovil kept their heads up and as the score settled putting Swindon ahead, Yeovil never let go of the desire to win the game.

A penalty close to the Yeovil try line brought a team warning to the opposition, with a yellow card for a tip tackle, giving Yeovil the opportunity for possession and to push hard runners and to put the ball down again.

Yeovil were still well in the game but a penalty kick gave Swindon another chance to add points and put the opposition ahead. Playing the last phase in the Swindon 22 it looked like Yeovil might just get one more try over the line but sadly this wasn’t to be as the final whistle blew.

Dan Jarvis added the extras as full back, with some astounding catches, increasing the pace with his speed and ability to push through the line, and supporting the team following the pace and movement of the players on pitch. One to watch over the season may well being Winger Freh-ddie Waqa, with some impressive tackles, moving quickly from one to another, this winger certainly showed some great experience out on the wing.

Defeat leaves Yeovil third in table but with two winnable games coming up against bottom of the league opposition starting on Saturday away to Corsham.

In Tribute Somerset Two South action, Yeovil II XV were defeated after travelling to Wiveliscombe with a close 22-19 score.

This puts the side to fourth in the table with 11 points so far.

Elsewhere, Yeovil Womens team, secured a 15-0 win to Trojans II at home, leaving the women second from top in the Womens NC 2 South West (South)