|
NEWPORT
SARACENS 13 YSTRAD RHONDDA 48
Captain
for the day Wayne Jervis correctly stated in the post match
talk that every Ystrad player had a passion & desire
to win on Saturday & yes there were a couple of special
performances by certain individuals but it was a complete
team effort.
The first half saw Ystrad play into a stiff wind & as
much as possible they kept the ball tight using the powerful
back row of Thomas Hetherington, Masin Al Azzawi & Hywel
Stoddart to get over the gain line as did wing Dean Jones
& new centre Nicky Bees.
Newport Saracens used their chances effectively in a somewhat
disjointed opening half, the bulk of their thirteen points
scored when number eight Hetherington was in the sin bin,
skipper Jervis slotted over two penalties to reduce the
deficit to 6-13 at half time & as the previous week
signs of a positive result were there for all to see.
Once again the scrum operated effctively dispite a change
of personnel, John Watkins starting on the loose in place
of Neil Jones & Carl Facey packing down at hooker instead
of Hetherington, both Watkins & Facey putting in accomplished
displays which along with tight head Craig Griffiths help
set up a solid platform for number eight Thomas Hetherington
to create havoc in the home team's midfield, from one such
Hetherington charge into centre field the ball was worked
wide for full back Geraint Shalton to show a good turn of
pace & outstrip the cover defence for a well deserved
try. The visitors gained the lead when the Saracens fumbled
the ball in the Ystrad half & after the ball was hacked
into the home twentytwo great chasing by Shalton & scrum
half Marc Jones, Jones is in a rich vein of form & managed
to dispossess an opponent & spread the ball to Stoddart,
the athletic flanker crossing for a try Jervis would convert.
After six weeks out through a knee injury all at the club
were pleased to see the return to action off the bench of
club Captain Chris Hanly, though it wasn't all good news
centre Gareth Pugh having to leave the field early in the
second half with a hamstring twinge.
Jervis showed good composure to slot over two long range
penalties to take his side more than two scores away before
the match referee awarded Ystrad a penalty try when a pushover
try looked on the cards from a close range scrum.
A superior level of fitness told in the last quarter &
Ystrad played attractive rugby, man of the match Stoddart
the beneficiary of another Shalton break, the flanker cutting
a good angle outside the full back to cross for his second
of the afternoon & Ystrad's four try bonus point, Jervis
kicking his third conversion.
Hetherington added a fifth try after a fine half break by
second row Nathan Hughes & Jervis converted with a couple
of minutes to go & then just before the final whistle
Jervis stepped up to bang over a penalty from the half way
line for a personal tally of twentythree points.
Hopefully this win will raise the confidence of the players
before Saturday's tough home encounter against top of the
table Newbridge.
|
