Rugby: North get back on winning track in style (From Gazette Series)

Western Counties North: North Bristol 55 Yatton 7

12:19pm Thursday 28th February 2013 in Sport

NORTH BRISTOL celebrated their first win in two months against relegation strugglers Yatton.

The powerful persistence of North’s outstanding giant lock Ross Wilson plus the tremendous energy and commitment of diminutive centre Mike Lewis set the tone for an action-packed home offensive. With six second team substitutes slotting seamlessly into place measured consistent use of possession produced a steady build-up of pressure on Yatton’s line before young tyro Jake Holcombe broke the early deadlock with a try converted by Dan Snow.

A tremendous charge through midfield from Snow was finished well by full back Josh Davies, whose electric running and dynamic tackling flagged up a welcome return to form. Snow’s conversion gave North a 14-0 lead. He followed this with an unconverted try of his own soon after. Then came a succession of drives at the Yatton try line before the awesome presence of Wilson appeared to consummate his efforts with a bulldozing try, and a conversion from Snow made it 26-0.

Throughout the half No 10 Phil Sterry’s great positional kicking kept North going forward from where theirsuper back row of Holcombe, Matt Bowden and Alex Featherstone worked the fringes brilliantly. A ball to the left took Declan Carroll into the corner where he was bundled into touch but a repeat move only minutes later gave the determined winger a second chance which he took gladly. Snow’s conversion took North into the break 33-0 in the lead.

Yatton’s pack asserted itself in the second half, pressurising an unusually fragile North scrummage which only regained its composure in the latter stages. Despite periods of scrappy play North were still able to go forward. Grisly predator Bowden snatched up a loose ball to charge over for his weekly touchdown before a superbly powerful midfield thrust by Chris Jelf opened a path for Davies to take his second try which, with Snow’s conversion, took North 45-0 ahead.

Snow was in the action soon after with a strong charge to the line from where ace-poacher Featherstone snapped up the opportunity to scoop up and dive in for another try, making it 50-0. Yatton’s persistence was rewarded with a try from Josh Richards, converted by Jon Bale, but was no more than they deserved for a plucky rearguard.

The last plaudits went to North when replacement prop Mark Sterry’s surge through midfield set the scene for a typical Richard Mortimer sprint to the try line for a victory to warm the supporters on an eye wateringly cold afternoon.

North Bristol scorers: Tries – Josh Davies (2), Matt Bowden, Dec Carroll, Alex Featherstone, Jake Holcombe, Richard Mortimer, Dan Snow, Ross Wilson; Conversions – Dan Snow (5).

Friendly: Aretians 2nds 12 North Bristol 3rds 48 ON A freezing cold day North Bristol travelled to local rivals Aretians with a strong team. North were thankful for Joe Chapman, Rob Sansum, Andy, Sam Astall and Jonny Lyons,who all played a half for the home side to ensure there was a game. Lyons also celebrated his 100th appearance for North.

North scored first after Max Sheppard set a good platform on the left. Quick ball found Andre Samura and he burst through the middle to offload to Steve Hudd, who was hauled down inches short. The Aretians clearing kick found unmarked Matt Lang and he jogged in from seven metres out for the opening score.

The visitors conceded three kick penalties which stemmed their dominance and Aretians forced their way over, under the posts. With the easy conversion they led 7-5. North scored their second try when they used quick ball and with good hands from Jim Hitchman and Samura, Mike Huntbach was clear to score in the corner and they led 10-7.

Sheppard seemed to be everywhere, carrying and offloading. Harry Collins was able to benefit from this good work with a try to increase the lead to 15-7. Further tries came from Samura and Astall with Dan Harris slotting both conversions and North Bristol led 29-7 at the interval.

The home side crashed over for an early try after the restart to come back to 12-29 but this was all they could muster as North clinched the game. A quickly taken penalty from Harris saw Sheppard seemingly through to score only to be smashed on the line, but quick thinking saw him pop the ball to Tony Booth, who collapsed over the line to score.

North’s dominant scrum, with Matt Parcel coming on, pushed the home side off the ball and Samura crashed through the middle to offload to Lang for his second under the posts with Harris taking the score to 12-48 with the conversion.

North Bristol scorers: Tries – Matt Lang (2), Sam Astall, Tony Booth, Harry Collins, Steve Hudd, Mike Huntbach, Andre Samura; Conversions – Dan Harris (4).