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Ystrad
Rhondda 35 Aberdare 14
In
spite of the reward of going into the hat with the Premier
Clubs in the next round Ystrad decided to rest several key
players for last Saturday's Konica Minolta Round Two clash
with near rivals Aberdare
It was also a chance for a couple of players to take on
their former clubs, Ystrad's outside half Gareth Williams
& Aberdare's Luke Brennan.
The former got his team of to a steady start with a penalty,
the visitors guilty of a ruck infringement.
Coach Mike Griffiths will have been particularly pleased
with Ystrad's first try which was the result of eighteen
year old number eight Masin Al Azzawi taking middle lineout
ball & a tight forward drive enabled energetic hooker
Carl Facey to claim the touchdown.
Ystrad's pack had an average age of just twentyone &
were eager to move thier opponents around the park which
would allow an exciting back line the space to keep the
score ticking along.
In open play full back Blanche Phillips looked a constant
threat, his pace allowing him to make a break from his own
half & speed around the cover defence for a try Williams
converted.
Williams furthered the lead with another penalty before
2nd row Greg Booth had to leave the field with a leg injury
& was replaced by Hywel Stoddart.
Prop Neil Jones, replacement Stoddart & hooker Facey
were in the thick of things, Jones relishing the chance
to run at the visitors midfield time & again & from
one Jones charge the ball was spread the width of the field
until promising winger Harry Allen stepped inside his man
to cross in the corner & afford the home team a 23-0
half time lead.
It's a credit to Ystrad's Youth setup when the likes of
props Chris Waygood & Daniel Mathews, back row Masin
Al Azzawi & three quarters Nathan Rees & Harry Allen
make the step up to the senior team & impress even though
they are still eligible for the youth.
The 2nd half saw the introduction of Daniel Matthews at
prop, John Watkins at hooker & Ben Daniels in place
of Gareth Fear at scrum half, but it was full back Phillips
who virtually ended the game as a contest with his 2nd try
after a well timed pass by winger Dean Jones to release
the full back. Williams converted.
Despite the Ystrad scrum having a better 2nd half Aberdare
hit back with a well worked converted try following a mix
up in the Ystrad midfield & they reduced the defecit
to 14-30 when their openside scored a try their outside
half would convert.
Ystrad have got into a good habit of not panicking when
they are in their opponents 22 & from 4th phase possession
replacement scrum half Daniels whipped the ball blind &
midfield maestro James Davies did well to offload in the
tackle before fine handling skills by winger Allen &
full back Phillips saw winger Jones score Ystrad's best
try of the afternoon.
With the Wales v S Africa game this Saturday Ystrad
have a Friday night Mid District Cup match away to Mountain
Ash kick off 19:15.
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