2 Feb 2008 - Nailsea & Backwell 2nds 8 - Yatton 3rds 14

Gillard's Gladiators started the game with a real purpose and despite some intense pressure in Yatton's 22 for nearly 30 minutes, chance after chance went begging. Some superb tackling by Yatton, and some poor handling and decision-making five metres from the ry line just compounded Nailsea's fustration.

Yatton with their first real attack of the game, instantly punished Nailsea and ran in a move that took them the full lenght of the pitch. Nailsea having seen how it was done, then promptly responded , creating a gap for prop Andy Simmonds to feed for the very-impressive to Mick Watkin crash over in the corner. Another gap saw Matt Hole tackled just inches from the line by Yatton's impressive number 8.

So with the scores 5-7 at half time that meant that there was still everything to play for. The second-half was a more-evenly fought contest . Despite Nailsea having more possesion, they really lacked a cutting edge to break through Yatton's superb defence. Nathan Dowling did kick a penalty, but Yatton secured more of the possesion and soon had Nailsea pinned inside their own half, and with just 10 minutes to go they broke Nailsea's defence.

Despite both sides fighting out a superb physical duel, Yatton held on to clinch another classic derby victory. Although Nailsea felt they lost the game rather than Yatton having won it ,the fact was that Yatton made much better use of the ball in attack. For the Gladiators to continue to progress this season they must all start to train and play together on a more consistent level.

Man of the match was once again Matt Hole with a special mention and welcome back to Ian Conellan