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YSTRAD
RHONDDA 19 NEWBRIDGE 43
The
majority verdict from the Ystrad officials after last Saturday's
game was the Newbridge side which ran in six tries at a
sun drenched Gelligaled park was the best team Ystrad have
entertained in a number of years.
Ystrad welcomed back from injury Liam Phillips & the
centre along with hooker Thomas "The Tank" Hetherington
were prominent with ball in hand during the early exchanges
where the home side looked the most likely to score, Captain
wayne Jervis narrowly missing with three penalty attempts
at goal.
Newbridge rarely put a foot wrong & soon after outstanding
fly-half Richard Powell slotted over a penalty his back
row sucked in the Ystrad backs for the visitors to exploit
an overlap on the left & wing Tom Watkins added a try
Powell would convert.
Though Newbridge were the better team they also seemed to
have lady luck on their side, a delicate chip over the fast
advancing Newbridge back line by outside half Jervis saw
the ball kindly bounce into the arms of Rhys Griffiths who
found himself in acres of space to record his team's second
try.
Ironically Ystrad are a team who prefer to play an expansive
game but in the first half they were at their most effective
when they attacked Newbridge close to the tight five, prop
Neil Jones along with Hetherington, second row Nathan Hughes
& number eight Hywel Stoddart all impressing in the
first half. It was something of a bitter sweet taste when
the ever present prop Jones had to leave the field with
a suspected broken arm, his replacement & respected
stalwart Paul Dunning having his first outing since a nasty
shoulder injury against Treherbert last season.
Full back Geraint Shalton looks to have cemented his body
into the number fifteen jersey after another commanding
display, his awareness to retreive a clearance kick &
chip over the Newbridge defence allowed his forwards to
turnover the ruck ball & the quick ball enabled Jervis
to send a well weighted pass which saw centre Phillips burst
through a rare gap & have the legs to go under the posts.
Jervis converted.
Newbridge furthered their lead just before half time with
another overlap try for an interval lead of 22-7.
Introduced off the bench for second half action were hooker
Carl Facey, club Captain Chris Hanly, flanker Dai Owen &
scrum half Marc Jones & with the home team attacking
the Newbridge line & looking to register a crucial first
score of the half it was the blue & blacks who managed
to steal Ystrad ruck ball & hack the ball downfield
where their exciting left wing Watkins showed good pace
to record his second try & open up a 29-7 lead. Watkins
seemed to be heading for his try hat-trick with a burst
up the narrow side but a super cover tackle by fit again
Neil Walker showed a determination more of which was to
come. As the game entered the final quarter Newbridge had
registered another two tries & it would take a special
effort from Ystrad to keep the scoreline under the half
century.
The character shown by the entire Ystrad team was second
to none & their willingness to battle to the end enthused
coaches Roberts & Griffiths enormously. Controlled Ystrad
possession allowed forwards Owen, Dunning, Hetherington
& centres Phillips & Nikki Bees to make inroads
into the visitors defense & quick ruck ball was used
wisely by scrum half Jones, the ball found Nathan Hughes
hitting a fine angle before giving a try scoring pass to
fellow forward Mazin Al Azzawi. Jervis converted.
More good phase play from the “Yst” ended with
powerhouse Hetherington brushing off a couple of would be
tacklers & beating former Wales rugby league player
& Maesteg wing Lennie Woodard for the touchdown.
This was a game the players should take a large amount of
confidence from as they were up against a very useful Newbridge
side & will hope to have injury victims Dylan Jones,
Gerwyn Davies & Gareth Pugh available for selection
as they prepare for a journey to Blackwood on Saturday.
DOWLAIS
2NDS 17 YSTRAD RHONDDA 2NDS 23
Ystrad
2nds continue to impress & took their winning streak
to three games
courtesy of tries from Ashley Macey & Rhys Jonathon
plus two conversions, two penalties & a drop goal by
Jonathon. Outstanding for Ystrad was flanker Macey &
full back Chris Harris.
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