Having lost this game to the weather earlier in the month it was glorious conditions for rugby when Yeovil visited for the re-arranged game.

One of the strengths of the Wanderers this season has been the depth of players available and wanting to come and play and Mojo joined the squad to take the number of players to represent the Wanderers this season well over the 50 mark.

The Taunton squad were quickly into their stride when Jack Malden returned the opening kickoff some 40 yards and quick hands saw Lloyd Cotton go over for the first try inside the first 2 minutes, the conversion was missed but it was a statement of intent for what was to come. Jack Malden was returning the kick offs with interest and it was well deserved when he scored the second try of the day…the conversion was missed.

The Wanderers were welcoming back several players from weeks/months out for various reasons and it was one of the returning players, Corey Fletcher, who claimed the third try of the day for the Wanderers, finishing off some strong running from forwards and backs alike to touch down…..The conversion was missed.

A reality check followed straight from the next kick off when an off-load under pressure saw the ball spilled and Yeovil pounced on the loose ball to race under the posts and the conversion saw the score move to 15-7.

Then came the moment of the game and possibly the season. Wayne “centre in a props body”Wiltshire had been revelling in the loose running rugby and close to the line he threw a dummy so outrageous it was bought by everyone watching and playing alike and he serenely ghosted through the resultant gap to seal the try bonus score after 25 minutes. Clearly he has been taking lessons from Robbie Miller on how to throw a dummy as in previous attempts everything below the eyes carried straight on…but not today! The conversion was missed from wide out.

The back row of Jack Malden, Paul Dunge and James Tolman were to the fore carrying ball and making good yards, backed up by forwards and backs alike, and the off-loading fast rugby on show was reflective of the brand of rugby the Wanderers have played this season. It was Dungey who claimed the 5th score of the day with some good support running. Mojo by this point had convinced Leigh Cash that anything outside the line of the posts was out of range for his legs and so Mojo confidently took over the kicking duties…the subsequent conversion was missed.

The final score of the first half was claimed by James Dean picking up his first of the day and it was a pleasant surprise to see the conversion kicked..half time score 32-7.

If the theme of the first half was open running rugby, the theme of the second was more a battle of attrition. Huge credit to Yeovil who really brought the game to Taunton and excellent kicking tactics saw the back three of Nathan Whetnor,Corey Fletcher and Lloyd Cotton – who added full back to the list of positions he has played this season – turning often to retrieve the ball under some pressure but always returning it with interest and intent.

The Taunton bench were being rotated for mainly fitness and injury reasons which made continuity hard – Boris ended up at blindside flanker - but it was one of the trademarks of the season that saw James Dean claim his second try of the day,at the back of a driving maul from a line out in the Yeovil 22. The conversion was missed.

Yeovil were enjoying the majority of possession in the second half and the Taunton tackle count was ticking higher and higher to repel each attack. The pressure told eventually and it was Yeovil who scored the final try of the match taking advantage of gaps in the Taunton defence in broken field running to make thefinal score 37-12.

A great gamein good condition and Taunton have a week off before travelling to Martock onthe 9th March.

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