Fixture

WRU National Plate – Round 2

Rhydyfelin travelled west in confident mood for this National Plate round 2 fixtrue having won all of their games so far this season. The hosts on the other hand had recorded just one win in four in division 2 west, although a win again division 1 Aberystwyth in round one meant they weren’t to be taken lightly.

Rhydyfelin got off to the perfect start when a penalty on halfway was expertly converted by the boot of fullback David Gratton. This set the tone for the first half as 'The Village' dominated for the majority of the 40minutes.

A series of chances were spurned by the visiting backline before speedster Jordan Rees was put away to score his first try of the afternoon. The conversion by Gratton stretched the lead to 0-10.

Within a few minutes the scoreboard was ticking over again as centre Ross Lucas spotted space behind the onrushing defence and put in neat chip which was gathered by wing Chris Tottle for the try. The conversion from the touchline was again put between the uprights by Dai Gratton.

Shortly after it was the turn of Lucas to become the try scorer when a scrum 5m was won against the head and the quick ball out to the backs left a gap in the defence for Lucas to cross for the score under the sticks. The conversion took the score up to 0-24.

The home defence was working tirelessly but getting very little time to catch their breath as wave after wave of pressure was coming their way. Winger Jordan Rees barged his way over for his 2nd try on the half hour mark and before the break a superb break by fullback Gratton was expertly finish by the quick feet of flanker Rhys Phillips. Another touchline conversion made the score at the break 0-36.

HALF TIME – CARMARTHEN ATHLETIC 0 RHYDYFELIN 36

There was no let up after the break as a lineout move in the opponents 22m was spread in to midfield where centre Luke Rees crashed through the defence beating three Athletic defenders to go over for the try (0-43).

A number of replacements broke up the flow of the game early in the 2nd half but the visitors did manage a few more before the scoring was over. 2nd row Kevin Briggs crashed over for his 5th of the season before replacement prop Stuart Williams believed he had crossed the whitewash only to be held up. From the resulting scrum the ball made its way to midfield for fullback David Gratton to burst through the defence and score the try, taking him to 20 points for the afternoon.

Winger Jordan Rees rounded off his hat trick and hooker Scott Pritchard bagged his 8th of the campaign so far when a rolling maul crashed over on the hour.

Credit to the home side, the final 15minutes was played in the Rhydyfelin half which had seen little action all afternoon. A number of penalties gave the home side good field position and after a number of chances went begging they crossed for a consolation try and conversion.

FULL TIME – CARMARTHEN ATHLETIC 7 RHYDYFELIN 65

Rhydyfelin progress to the 3rd round draw to take place this Tuesday/Wednesday, with the game to be played on Saturday December 10th.