13 Sep 2008 - Nailsea 2nd XV (Gillard’s Gladiators) 6 - Yatton 3rd XV 5

On a very hot September day, a very-strong Yatton team played their part in a close and evenly-matched contest.

Despite Nailsea starting the brighter of the two teams, an injury to Nailsea's Rob Bower threatened to disrupt the strong running play seen in previous weeks, and Nailsea really struggled in the heat, to find an extra gear to pin Yatton in their 22.

Initial strong scrummaging from Yatton constantly upset Nailsea’s drive and balance, and despite some excellent line-out pitching from Fletcher, Nailsea just could not find that killer touch and with some superb cover tackling from Yatton’s backs, neither side gained any sustained possession. At half time there was still no score so everything still to play for.

The second half started in much the same vein. Finally the young Yatton three-quarter line was presented with an overlap and took advantage to score in the corner. Nailsea immediately responded with a break that too them to five metres from the Yatton line, but where the attack was held up.

Fierce scrummaging from Nailsea forced constant changes in Yatton’s front row and further sustained pressure presented Nailsea with a penalty inside the Yatton twenty-two metre line, which impressive debutant Ashley Cotterill kicked.

Straight from the restart Nailsea again pinned Yatton back in their half and with just four minutes to go, the home side were awarded another penalty inside the twenty-two meter area for Cotterill to kick once again.  With the final whistle close-by, Nailsea then ran down the clock for a very satisfying victory against their closest rivals.

Nailsea's man of the match was the impressive and ever improving Nick Badcock with a special mention to Chris "The Bosher !" Quinn.