Caerphilly U14 v Tonyrefail U14, 19th September 2010

This week the Under 14’s travelled up the Rhondda Valleys to face their opponents Tonyrefail. It was Tonyrefail that started the game on the attack, wining the ball at the ruck and getting it to their speedy centre who cut through the Caerphilly defensive line to open the scoring in the first 5 minutes, with a converted try. Tonyrefail 7 – Caerphilly 0. This was the early wake up call that Caerphilly needed. Tonyrefail claimed the ball from the drop out, but Caerphilly forwards were quick to turn this over, before knocking the ball on to allow the opposition the put in at the scrum. Despite Tonyrefail wining their own scrum, Rhys Condron was very quick up on the scrum half bringing him to the ground with a great tackle. The forwards were quick to support him and once again turned the ball over, with Brad breaking away and crossing the line for a try, which was converted by Ben Candy. Tonyrefail 7 – Caerphilly 7. With Tonyrefail on the attack, it was Scott, Nathan and Liam slowing Ton down with some crunching tackles, but they were determined to get through and crossed the try line only to lose the ball before grounding. The next phase of the game was dominated by Caerphilly, with long phases of possession, some great runs from forwards and backs, before eventually losing the ball. Tonyrefail capitalised on this mistake, and ran in their second try from way into their own half. Tonyrefail 12 – Caerphilly 7. This lead was short lived as once again Rhys put pressure on the Tonyrefail scrum half, stole possession, whipped the ball to Nathan Hudd who crossed for an unconverted try. Tonyrefail 12 – Caerphilly 12. Caerphilly reclaimed the ball following the drop out, with Nathan creating space to off load to Darius who made a blistering run down the wing to cross for a try. Tonyrefail 12 – Caerphilly 17. Caerphilly were determined to make the most of the 5 minutes leading up to half time, and demonstrated some basic skills and team work, with some clinical rucks, fast ball handling and forwards and back inter-play, before the ball finding its way to touch, to give the first line out of the game. Some great line-out work saw Billy (alias Alun Wyn Jones) escalated to about 11 foot in the air to steal the opposition ball. This tactic was repeated several times during the game. Despite Tonyrefail being awarded a penalty for a Caerphilly infringement, good defence allowed Caerphilly to win back the ball for Brad to cross the line for his second try of the game. Half time score Tonyrefail 12 – Caerphilly 22. Caerphilly started the second half with the same determination as they ended the first half. Ben Pesci kicked off with a fine drop-out, followed at speed by the forwards pressurising the ball taker to knock on. Fast ball from the base of the scrum, put the backs on an un resounding run, before Alec Jones broke the Ton defence and crossed the line for Caerphilly. Tonyrefail 12 – Caerphilly 27. This was repeated a short time later, only this time it was Morgan who made a nice break and crossed the line. Tonyrefail 12 – Caerphilly 32. Despite Caerphilly wining the opposition ball in a number of scrums and lineouts, Tonyrefail were not going to give up without a fight. They tightened up their defence and turned the ball over, which lead to a good break from the centre who crossed for a try under the post, which was duly converted. Tonyrefail 19 – Caerphilly 32. Caerphilly recognised the need to step up a gear to prevent Ton taking control, and again pulling together as a team, set up some lovely ruck ball through a number of phases to allow Alec to cross for his second try, which was converted by Ben Candy. Tonyrefail 19 – Caerphilly 39. Into the last minutes of the game, Sean Perry was taken out of play without the ball and was awarded a penalty. Some quick thinking got the ball out to the backs to put Ben Candy on a run, set up the ball for the forwards to drive across the line, with Scott being awarded the try, for Morgan to convert. Final score Tonyrefail 19 – Caerphilly 46. This was a thoroughly entertaining game, with lots of running rugby, some great interplay from forwards and backs, and a fantastic team effort. Well done! Team: Sam, Scott, Brad, Lewis, Liam, Billy, Conor, Tom W, Nathan, Rys, Ben P, Sean, Morgan, Ben C, Darius, Alec.