Fixture

Dowlais RFC | 1st Team 24 - 42 Risca RFC | 1st Team
Ben Pesci
2 Try
James Dowle
4 Conversion
3 Penalty
Callum Coughlin
1 Try
Daniel Horler
1 Try
Geraint Roberts
1 Try

Match Report
10 May 2018 / Team News

Dowlais 24 - Risca 42

Match report by Clive James 

Photograph coutersy of John Hayes.

Risca visited Dowlais for the very first time in the final league game of the season, looking to complete the double having won 58pts.- 21 at the Stores Field, as well as consolidating a top four position.

James Dowle returned at full back with Ben Pesci moving back to the wing, Ben Murphy started at no.10 while Dan Horler was on the bench, returning after time out training for, and running in the London Marathon.
On a cold evening,more like November than May, the crowd were treated to a very good game of rugby with both sides looking to play an open game.  Risca took the lead when Dowle put over a penalty after the Dowlais defense were caught offside.Then on twenty minutes they extended the lead with a superb try. The ball was fielded on the left hand touchline and moved quickly in field, centre Matthew McGovern ran strongly before handing on to the supporting Dowle who in turn fed wing Pesci and he finished off by touching down under the posts for a converted try. Both sides then swapped penalties to leave the score 16pts.- 9 leading up to the end of the half. Dowlais had the final say though and a strong run from the home no,13 saw play move into Risca's 22 and scrum half Nick Thomas finished off with a fine try for Cullen to add the conversion.
 
Half Time 16pts.- 16.
 
Dowlais struck first in the second period with Cullen putting over a long range penalty but that was as good as it got for them until the final minutes as Risca turned on the style with backs and forwards combining to add four more tries. No.8 Coughlin, 2nd.rows Geraint Roberts and Dan Horler and wing Ben Pesci got the tries with Dowle adding three conversions. Right on time Dowlais got their consolation score from a driving maul.
Final score 42pts.- 24.
The gremlins that had been with Risca in the last two games were no where to be seen this time and they finished the season off in style.
 
No.10 Ben Murphy was composed throughout and played with a maturity way beyond his years. Dowle as well as his goal kicking was a constant threat together with wings Pesci and Dimmick. All the bench again contributed when they came on but my final Man of the Match has to be centre Matthew McGovern who had his best game in a black and amber jersey. His bulldozing runs and big tackles were awesome and when he was substituted late in the second half the Dowlais players must have heaved a sigh of relief to see him go off.
 
A top four finish is two places better than last year and thanks must go to the coaching staff of  Matthew Veater, Matthew Penny, Andrew Peacock together with fitness coach Gareth Hodson, team manager Eddie Edwards and physio Sophie Evans.
 
To all our supporters and sponsors thank you and see you all next September.
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