Yeovil Rugby Club

It's another big Saturday for Yeovil Rugby Club, with both senior men's sides in action, the First XV looking to extend their winning run and the Barbarians preparing for another afternoon at Church Lane.

But amongst the team selections, league results and familiar faces, there's one name on the First XV bench that deserves a special mention.

Sean 'Stretch' Houghton is back. And what a story this one is!

FIRST XV | CAN YEOVIL MAKE IT FOUR WINS ON THE BOUNCE?

🏉 Frome II v Yeovil First XV
📅 Saturday 24th October
⏰ Kick-off: 3:00pm
📍 Gypsy Lane, Frome, BA11 2NA

Yeovil travel to Frome in excellent form, with three wins from their opening four league matches and an attack that is becoming increasingly difficult to contain.

Yeovil's season so far

Three wins. One narrow defeat. 187 points scored.

And perhaps most impressively, 130 of those points have come in the last two matches alone.

There's a real sense of momentum building within the squad. The attacking rugby has been exciting, the confidence is growing, and the lads are starting to show what they're capable of.

Of course, there's always room for improvement.

If they can hold onto the ball, keep their discipline and avoid sending quite so many tackles into another postcode — or Australia — there's no reason that run can't continue!

THE OPPOSITION | FROME II

Frome II are certainly not a side to underestimate.

Having finished top of Counties 3 Dorset & Wilts Central last season, they earned promotion into Counties 2 Tribute Ale Dorset & Wilts South for 2026/27.

Their opening results have been mixed:

One win, one draw and one defeat from their opening three matches.

Their victory over North Dorset II is particularly interesting. Yeovil beat the same opposition 34–27, while Frome recorded a convincing 43–19 win.

However, Frome suffered a heavy defeat against Wimborne II last weekend, the same side that edged Yeovil by just four points earlier this month.

Results against common opponents suggest Yeovil will travel as the form side, but Frome have already demonstrated their ability to score points and will be looking for a response in front of their home supporters.

For Yeovil, the challenge is simple: keep the momentum, maintain the intensity and make it four wins from five.

STRETCH IS BACK – AND THIS ONE DESERVES A STANDING OVATION!

Some players return from injury. Some return after a season away.

And then there's Sean 'Stretch' Houghton.

The Northern Monkey who wandered back into Yeovil Rugby Club thinking he'd just dip in and out of training, have a laugh and enjoy a bit of rugby again.

He threw up during his first session back.

A promising start, obviously.

But somewhere between that first session and now, something rather special happened.

The bloke who came back for a bit of fun became one of the loudest voices on the training pitch, one of the biggest supporters of the lads and a huge part of the coaching team.

Week after week, through the wins, the losses, the highs and the frustrations, Stretch has been there.

Training the lads. Encouraging them. Hollering across the pitch. Travelling to matches. Giving his time, energy and experience to help this squad develop.

And now, after spending so much time on the touchline, he's named amongst the First XV finishers for Saturday's trip to Frome.

From throwing up at training to potentially throwing himself into tackles on a Saturday afternoon.

That's quite the comeback!

There are people who play for a rugby club, and then there are people who become part of its fabric.

Stretch is firmly in that second category.

A proper club man, a huge character and someone whose commitment deserves recognition.

Stand up, lads. Sean 'Stretch' Houghton is a Yeovil Rugby Club legend.

Just try not to throw up this time, Stretch. We've got a reputation to maintain! 🐷

THE FIRST XV SQUAD

Captain Josh 'Doc' Docherty returns to the starting line-up, with the majority of the squad remaining unchanged following last weekend's impressive victory.

The familiar combinations are building consistency, while a strong group of finishers gives the coaches plenty of options as the game develops.

With players including Harry McHugh, Harry Froude, Sam Bryant and Olly Seton continuing to contribute to Yeovil's attacking performances, there is plenty of firepower throughout the side.

The lads have set themselves a high standard over recent weeks. Now it's about maintaining it.

Can they keep the winning run going?