Rugby Union
Twickenham dream is alive

Uttoxeter 7 Old Yardleians 30

RFU National Junior Vase Midlands Quarter-Final

YARDS moved to within three wins of a Twickenham appearance with a comprehensive victory at Uttoxeter on Saturday.

Playing with a gentle breeze behind them, Yards started well and it did not take long for the visitors to put points on the board thanks to two Jake White penalties.

The first try of the contest soon followed when a powerful drive from the forwards ended with Phil Painter touching down to stretch the lead to 11-0.

White kicked another penalty to make it 14-0 as the half drew to a close and Yards went in happy in the fact they had built a solid platform to go on and take the victory.

Uttoxeter came out fighting at the start of the second half but strong defence from Yards, with skipper Ben Honey leading by example, kept the scoreboard operator redundant.

But just when it appeared they had seen off the Uttoxeter threat, Yards made a poor clearance kick that was picked up and run back by interest with the home side who went over for a converted score.

For the remainder of the contest the superior fitness of the visitors began to tell with White kicking three penalties to stretch the advantage to 23-7.

Yards rounded things off in style with the try of the game as winger Jim Hendrick combined with Steve Grainger to release full back Sean Rai to touch down ahead of White adding the conversion.

Saturday sees a return to league action with a home game against Coventrians (2.15pm). As a gesture of seasonal goodwill from the club, car parking and entry to the match will be free.

THERE was further success across the weekend for the club as the Development team won 25-7 against Kings Norton and the u17s defeated Yardley and District 34-20.

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