Thursday 11th May 2017

Next up in our series looking at the club's youth sides achieving honours this season are the Under 16 Yellows, who hit peak form at just the right time as they finished runners-up in North Wilts League Division Three.

North Wilts League Under 16 Division Three runners-up 2016/17

A year after winning just two games all season, Royal Wootton Bassett Town's Under 16 Yellow secured a superb, hugely deserved runner-up finish in North Wilts League Division Three.

Demonstrating great commitment, desire and character, they outlasted four other sides who were fighting for the spot behind champions Tetbury Youth.

Bassett had a fine start to the season, defeating Purton Youth 7-1 as Joe Mitchell fired a hat-trick. While they were held to a 3-3 draw by Ramsbury Juniors in their second game, they reeled off two further wins – 4-3 against Wanborough Juniors and 2-0 against Croft Juniors Blue - to make it ten points from twelve.

Consecutive losses against Marlborough Youth (2-3) and Ramsbury (1-3) – two other teams Bassett would be fighting for a top placing with – saw them slip in the table though.

Aaron Griffiths' hat-trick against Liden Community saw them bounce back before four different scorers were on target against Stratton Juniors.

Runaway leaders Tetbury were then given a stern test, but, despite goals from Mitchell, Griffiths and Jack Coward, Bassett fell by the odd goal in seven.

There followed a pair of comfortable wins to keep Bassett in contention heading into the season's final stages.

Mitchell and Ryan Battershell both scored twice as Malmesbury Youth North were defeated 6-0, before Mitchell struck five against Stratton Juniors in another 6-0 triumph.

However, defeat in the return fixture against Tetbury (0-3) and a loss at Liden (1-3), who were also in the mix, meant that Bassett could not afford to slip up in their remaining four games if they were to take second.

Their run-in began nervously, with Battershell's brace seeing Bassett edge out a win against Marlborough by the odd goal in three. Against Malmesbury, Mitchell and Nikky Price both scored twice.

Halfway there, Bassett now faced their nearest rivals Wanborough, who were coming into the game on the back of a win against Tetbury.

Playing at home, Bassett were superb, shutting Wanborough out, while taking victory thanks to goals from top scorers Battershell and Mitchell.

That left them two points behind Wanborough, with their final game in hand to play. And that match was won comfortably. Battershell again scored twice, while Price, Griffiths and Samuel Perry were also on target in a 5-0 rout of Croft.

Last modified on Thursday 11th May 2017 at 19:25.