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Keynsham
7 Ystrad Rhondda 56
Ystrad
used last Saturday’s trial match to blood several
of last season’s youth players and also it gave an
opportunity to introduce some key new signings.
Despite the poor weather conditions the handling skills
were generally good with Ystrad proving to be the more organised
side and built up a 14-7 lead at the end of the first third
with tries from scrum half Ben Daniels and outside half
Mark Jones, both converted by Daniels.
The only sour note from the opening third from an Ystrad
perspective was the loss due to a knee injury to Captain
Chris Hanly.
The next period saw Ystrad continuing to control the game,
scrum half Mark Jones and Dylan Jones linking well with
the latter next to get on the scoresheet with a try Dylan
also converted following good work in midfield by new centre
Liam Phillips, promising new flanker Alex Gill was rewarded
for his graft when he supported a break by outside half
Jones and crossed for a converted try, this after a quick
throw in by hooker John Watkins and good alertness shown
by prop Neil Jones.
A welcome sight for Ystrad was the return to action of injured
centre Gareth Pugh, Pugh and Phillips showing they will
be a midfield to be reckoned with in Division One this season.
The Tonyrefail product showed a good turn of pace to finish
off a clever break by Mark Jones. Dylan Jones converted.
Flanker Gill was a constant menace at the Keynsham breakdown,
as was flanker Dai Owen, from one Gill turnover wing Dan
Hitchins was allowed to display his main attribute when
he raced some sixty yards to leave the defenders gasping
in his wake. Dylan converted.
Full back Niall Sibley had to be brave when he challenged
for a fifty fifty ball on the deck, the youngster secured
possession and a break up the blind by Mark Jones saw Dylan
Jones race up the touchline for a converted try to seal
the match.
It was a good exercise to see the new players gelling with
last season’s team in a live environment and the coaching
staff will have been enthused by the contribution of new
props Dai Webb and Craig Griffiths, the effectiveness of
number eight Thomas Hetherington playing out of position
as hooker, flanker/number eight Dai Owen showed his all
round ability and experience will be invaluable in the coming
months, Alex Gill will be in the firing line for a spot
in the hugely competitive back row, Mark Jones and Ben Daniels
will have a battle for the number nine jersey and Liam Phillips
proved to be a force in the centre where he looked to keep
the ball alive on several occasions with timely offloads
in the tackle.
This Saturday Ystrad are home to Llantwit Fardre
kick off 2.30
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