This was the long awaited return match for Old Yards to show their true potential against rivals Yardley & District and gain revenge for the defeat in the opening match of the season. There were a couple of changes to the team from the last match and with twenty one players to call on, Richard was spoilt for choice.
This was always going to be a tight game between two evenly matched teams. Old Yards started brightly and played most of the opening ten minutes in their opponents half. It took until the 19th minute for the opening score and it was the home side that took the lead through Andrew. George Bishop made a good break from half way and fed the ball to Andrew who made a strong run down the middle before touching down despite the attention of two opposition players.
Four minutes later Yardley & District took the lead after the opposition No. 8 picked up from the scrum and went over unopposed on the blindside. The try was converted to give the away side a 7-5 lead. Old Yards were looking good with fine passages of play and were not afraid to throw the ball around to try and find an opening.
After 27 mins. Old Yards retook the lead as Dan Griffiths made a good run down the wing after the ball was fed out from a ruck. Dan Green narrowly missed the conversion after a great effort from wide out near the touchline. Just before the break Old Yards extended their lead with their best move of the half. The ball was fed down the line to Stuart on the wing and he went over for a try in the corner. This time Dan made a great kick from out wide that older players would have been proud of.
Half Time - Old Yardleians 17 Yardley & District 7
The home side made a few changes at the start of the second half with five of the replacements coming on in place of Tom S., Christian, Scott, Alex and George D. Callum had already come on mid way through the first half for Sheldon after he had taken a knock.
Old Yards started the second half as if they were going to win convincingly, playing with a great deal of confidence and it was no surprise when they extended the lead to 24-7. From a Yardley & District put in at the scrum Old Yards won the ball and Shaun passed to George B. who then fed Dan Griffiths. Dan still had a lot to do but made a powerful run down the wing before touching the ball down under the posts with Matt J converting.
The home side looked as though they had the game sewn up but in the 19th min. after a lapse in concentration they allowed Yardley & District back into the game. The away side scored a fine try after a kick across the field for the left wing to score, although this was not converted.
The home side were lacking some of their strong play from the first half although they were looking very strong in the scrum against a well built oppostion front eight. Yardley & District were coming more into the game again after taking confidence from their try and in the 25th min. reduced the defecit further. After a good run down the wing the opposition winger ran in under the posts to give the kicker a simple kick to bring the scores to within five points.
It was now time for Old Yards to show what they were made of and they did not dissapoint. They picked up their game and in the end finished the stronger, looking the most likely to score again, although there were no further scores.
Old Yards thoroughly deserved their win after a good all round performance and took revenge for the opening game defeat. Yardley & District looked a bit dejected with the defeat and will no doubt be up for the next match after Christmas.
Full Time - Old Yardleians 24 Yardley & District 19
Team: James Lawler, Scott Wilson, Dan Green, Tom Carter, Matt Willetts, Christian Wilson, Michael Thompson, George Bishop, Sheldon Du Plessis, Shaun Morris, Andrew Cox, Dan Griffiths, Stuart Adams, George Drabble, Tom Scott.
Replacements: Callum Killarney, Sam Wright, Alex Patrick, Austin Hughes, Tony Walker, Matt Jesse
Scorers: Tries - Dan Griffiths (2), Andrew, Stuart
Conversions - Dan Green, Matt J.