TWENTY years ago, The Castle School in Taunton could boast an all-conquering basketball team.

The school's Under-16 side had just won the McDonald's-sponsored Area Cup Final, played at Blackbrook Pavilion.

The Castle saw off Court Fields, of Wellington, 82-66 to clinch the title.

Their scorers were Paul Yabsley (29 points), Rob Joslen (20), Alistair Bird (15), Robert Lowe (8), Ben Taunton (4), Justin Warcup (4) and Alex Thompson (2).

Yabsley has since gone on to shine with Huish Taunton Tigers senior team in the National League.

The Castle team had also just celebrated reaching the quarter-finals of the National Cup, beating King Edward VI School (Birmington) by just one point.

SOME things never change...

Taunton Town fans know Owen Irish is a man with a mammoth leap, and here he is doing it against Didcot 10 years ago.

Somerset County Gazette:

Back in 2008, Taunton were struggling in Division 1 South & West of the British Gas Business League, but John Harris' goal gave them a 1-0 victory over promotion-chasing Didcot at Wordsworth Drive.

Didcot had thrashed the Peacocks 5-0 back in October, and early on dangerman Neville Roach forced Town goalkeeper Lloyd Irish to make a save with his legs.

But on the half-hour, Danny Lane threaded the ball through for Harris to smash into the roof of the net from 20 yards.

Both sides had their chances in the second half, but Taunton held firm to secure their first win over Didcot since 1997.

Owen Irish made more than 300 appearances for the Peacocks before departing in 2017, while his brother Lloyd is still at the club and recently signed a new contract to extend his stay until 2020.

Somerset County Gazette:

In the above photo, Irish is pictured in the centre, along with (from left) Twaine Plummer, Lane, goalscorer Harris and Leon Simpson.