Western Counties North

Yatton 10

Berry Hill 28

BERRY Hill stretched their unbeaten run to 17 games with an effective if unconvincing away win at Yatton.

With the elements in their favour Hill got off to a good start when Lee Osborne kicked an early penalty. Yatton replied in kind when Hill killed the ball in the home 22.

Hill dominated the scrums and mauls and a penalty into the corner resulted in an unconverted try for number eight Sean McRoberts.

Within minutes Hill scored again. Another strong scrum forced Yatton to panic and the ball popped out to Dave Arnott, who sprinted away from the cover defence to cross the line untouched. Osborne missed the conversion but was on target with a penalty.

Leading 16-3, Hill scored again before half-time from a fine break by full-back Josh Cook. He was well supported by Dan Field, who cut a good angle to switch inside and go under the posts. Osborne converted.

Hill were forced to endure some early second-half pressure from the hosts, but withstood it comfortably. However, the line-out, which had been functioning so well, suddenly fell apart five yards out. McRoberts was also penalised for a double movement inches from the line.

Yatton seized on a missed tackle in midfield to score a converted try.

McRoberts made amends for his earlier error when a line break from skipper Andy Wright was well supported by Osborne. He fed the ball to McRoberts, who had the strength and pace to beat the defence and cross the line.

An away win and a bonus point will satisfy Hill coach Brett Scriven, but the Foresters can play better than this – and will need to do so as the challenges get tougher.

That could be this Saturday with a short trip to Matson. The Gloucester side probably provided Hill with their toughest encounter of the season at Lakers Road.