| Bargoed 12 Caerphilly
24 (Bargoed 2T Caerphilly 3T) |
| Welsh National League Division 1 East |
| Half-time score:Bargoed 0 Caerphilly 0 |
| Date: Saturday 5th April 2008 |
| Kick-off time: 2:30pm |
| Referee: - Gwyn Morris |
| Attendance: 500 |
| Bargoed Website: - www.bargoedrfc.org |
| Weather: Fair & Windy (some hail at times) |
| Match Report to follow |
| Caerphilly maintained their pole position in the Welsh League Division
1 East title race at Bargoed last weekend by completing a 12-24 victory
thus maintaining their 100% away record for the season. Bargoed failed to make use of the gusty wind in the first half as they squandered two chances for a try and chose to kick for touch with two kickable penalties. The first chance came as the home sides forwards ripped the ball from the grasp of the visitors as they attacked on 14 minutes. Winger Lewis Protheroe breaking loose in the centre found space down the left wing placing a well timed bass to full on to Full back Jeremy Lovell on the 5mtr line, only to see referee Gwyn Morris with an outstretched arm for a forward pass. On 25 minutes, another forward pass resulted in a defensive scrum for the visitors as Bargoed claimed the ball in centre field, winger Chris Thomas unable to hold on to the pass. Hooker White finding space on the left, releasing captain Huw Davies, who made acres of ground, taking play from half way up to the 5mtr line. There on his shoulders was full back Lovell again, accepting the pass only to be called back from the line adjudged as forward. Bargoed’s third chance came on 35 minutes. Reduced to 14 men as Blindside flanker Gareth McCarthy had been sent to the bin for a ruck infringement on 31 minutes. Breaking out right Speedy winger Lee Pearson accepted a well timed pass from centre Darren Humphries, only to rise from the try line to see the Bargoed linesman with his flag up for a foot In touch, and another squandered chance. Caerphilly had their chances in the first half, missing an easy kick at goal on 5minutes, Bargoed guilty of spoiling ruck ball as the visitors looked to attack on the 22. For the majority of the half however, the Caerphilly forwards did well to keep the ball hidden from the home side, deciding to make their move in the second half, the wind in their favour. A nil score first half was quickly forgotten 3 minutes into the second period. Caerphilly attacking the Bargoed 22 won quick ruck ball. As the ball moved through the backs, a poor pass from outside half Celyn Ashton found its way into the hands of winger Pearson. With Caerphilly the full back in the attacking line, Pearson had a clear run in from his own 22 to score under the posts. Outside half Jamie Howells added the conversion to a rapturous applause from the home faithful. Bargoed’s lead was short lived however. Reduced to 14, centre Darren Humphries leaving the field on 46 minutes for persistently killing the ball on the floor. A break from the Caerphilly centres saw scrum half Alun Ford making yards towards the try line in centre field. Taking the tackle, Ford released the ball only for the Bargoed hands to get a touch. As the ball broke, outside half Celyn Ashton did well to cling on in the face of three defenders to find a gap and touch down, then add the conversion 7-7. 5 minutes of forward pressure finally paid off on 58 minutes, a series of penalties taking play up to the Bargoed 5mtr line. Good catch and drive tactics left Caerphilly with a 5mtr scrum, as the home side’s defence did well to keep the visitors out. Three resets of the scrum as Caerphilly piled on the pressure, forcing the Bargoed front row to rise, then collapse, before finally giving in to the immense pressure, flanker Rhys Watkins touching down as the scrum drove over the line. Ashton added the conversion giving the visitors a 7-14 lead. Both sides battled well, each having a spate of chances, the best coming from another Rhys Watkins break, as the ball moved from left to right, winger Thomas was unable to hold on to a poor pass from Ford, Caerphilly with a 3 on 1 overlap. Bargoed gained ground first. Taking play up to the 5 mtr line, sucking in the defence before releasing Pearson on the left to score unopposed out wide. Howells was unable to pierce to strong wind, leaving the home side 2 points in deficit. Celyn Ashton was on the board again after 74 minutes, dropping a good goal from centre field, giving the visitors a 5 point cushion. Caerphilly gifted the home side hop on 77 minutes, full back Nathan Gittings dropping the ball on the Caerphilly 10mtr line, as they looked to break from defence again. Gittings was adjudged to have held back the home side attackers as they attempted to retrieve the ball, and spent the remainder in the bin. Bargoed were unable to break the visitors defence however, spurning their chances within inches of the line. In fact the numbers were made even again two minutes later as Bargoed Captain Huw Davies received the home sides third yellow card of the day, guilty of loose use of the boot in the ruck, and giving Caerphilly the chance to clear up field. Bargoed’s need for point was their undoing in the final seconds. Passing the ball around during a drop out 22, their centres thought they had found space, only for the ball to be kicked directly into the arms of centre Lee Mullane standing no less than 5mtrs from the kicker. Wind at his back, and the Bargoed defenders having passed him by, Mullane quickly sprinted for the line, Ashton converting again to give the Cheesesmen their first victory in Bargoed for three season’s. Caerphilly entertain Newbridge next Saturday at Virginia Park in another must win match if Caerphilly are to entertain any prospects of automatic promotion this year. Kick off 2.30pm |
| Bargoed Team | Caerphilly Team | |
| Jeremy Lovell | 15 - Fullback | Nathan Gittings |
| Lewis Protheroe | 14 - Right-wing | Chris Thomas |
| Rhys Humphries | 13 - Outside-centre | Lee Mullane |
| Darren Humphries | 12 - Inside-centre | Ian Carter |
| Lee Pearson | 11 - Left-wing | Steffan Sankala |
| Jamie Howells | 10 - Outside-half | Celyn Ashton |
| Matthew Hutcheon | 9 - Scrum-half | Alun Ford |
| Stuart Jones | 8 - Number 8 | Steffan Edwards |
| Huw Davies (Captain) | 7 - Openside-flanker | Rhys Watkins |
| Gareth McCarthy | 6 - Blindside-flanker | John Griffiths |
| Craig Lynch | 5 - Second-row | Chris Payne |
| Owen Swift | 4 - Second-row | Adam Minty |
| Ross Jones | 3 - Tighthead-prop | Matthew Petit |
| J.White | 2 - Hooker | Chris Ferris |
| Justin Kedwood | 1 - Loosehead-prop | Matthew Griffiths |
| Ian Jenkins | Replacement | Sam Feehan |
| Lewis Weyman | Replacement | Gareth Jones |
| Adam Kidley | Replacement | Gareth Davies |
| S.Beasant | Replacement | Nick Gould |
| M.Lewis | Replacement | Gary Davies |
| Bargoed Scorers | Caerphilly Scorers | |
| Lee Pearson (43&69 min) | Tries | Celyn Ashton (51 min), Rhys Watkins (58 min), Lee Mullane (80 min) |
| Jamie Howells (44 min) | Conversions | Celyn Ashton (52,59&81 min) |
| - | Penalties | - |
| - | Drop-goals | Celyn Ashton (74 min) |
| Gareth McCarthy (31 min), Darren Humphries (46 min), Huw Davies (79 min) | Yellow cards | Nathan Gittings (77 min) |
| - | Red Cards | - |
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