Once again Acklam showed plenty of heart but didn't have the quality to win a game. They went down 41 - 18 away to fellow strugglers Yarnbury in a game where they conceded 5 tries, scored 2 themselves and made enough breaks to get several more but just lacked the pace and precision to finish off their chances.
From the kick off Acklam knocked on and were immediately under pressure, conceding a penalty for Yarnbury to take a 3 nil lead. Acklam immediately came back and scored an equalising penalty from skipper Danny Ashton, filling in at scrum half. The game was evenly contested until the 18th minute when Yarnbury counter attacked to score a good try, converted to give them a 10 - 3 lead. Things got worse 2 minutes later when Acklam lost a line out in their own half and Yarnbury moved the ball across the field to score another converted try to take the score to 17 - 3. Acklam then pressed strongly but were penalised more than once and after Yarnbury worked their way into Acklam's 22 they created a driving maul from a line out to score a further try in the corner, well converted to increase the lead to 24 - 3. To their credit Acklam would not lie down and after creating an overlap on the right they moved the ball well to the opposite side for winger Josh Abraham to score a good try which Ashton converted to get Acklam back in the game at 24 - 10. Acklam finished the half strongly and Yarnbury prevented another try by conceding a penalty and yellow card for a deliberate knock on. Ashton kicked the penalty to give Acklam hope at half time with the score at 24 - 13.
After the restart Acklam continued to play well and following a break on the the left Ashton was stopped just short of the Yarnbury line. However, Yarnbury then broke downfield themselves and from a line out on the Acklam 22 they were allowed to score on the short side to score a 4th bonus point try, again converted by the impressive home stand off to take them to a 31 - 13 lead.
Acklam continued to come back and after 57 minutes good running and handling eventually resulted in a try by replacement back row Paddy O'Brien to reduce the arrears to 31 - 18.
At this stage the home team appeared to be rattled by the fighting spirit of Acklam, who got themselves into promising positions only to be penalised on 2 occasions. Then in the 65th minute the visitors were adjudged to have gone to ground and the penalty was kicked to take the score to 34 - 18. Yarnbury then sealed their victory when Acklam lost the ball on their 22 enabling a Yarnbury forward to go through for a final score to take them well clear at 41 - 18. To their credit Acklam continued to fight hard for a further score and just before the end 2nd half replacement Chris Walker made a good break but was eventually tackled almost on the Yarnbury line.
Unfortunately, this defeat leaves Acklam isolated at the bottom of the table and with only 3 games left something of a miracle will be needed to avoid relegation.

Match Report by Paul I'Anson