Fixture

Match report by Clive James

Risca were looking to record the first win of the season after three straight defeats in the league while visitors Brynmawr were looking to put behind them last weeks trouncing at Ynysybwl.

From the kick off the homeside were put under immense pressure and for ten minutes the Brynmawr eight were camped on the Risca line.A solid defence and a forty metre touchfinder from Owain Biddescombe relieved the onslaught.From the resultant lineout play moved into Brynmawrs 22 and quick hands among forwards and backs saw wing Wayne Whitehead cut in to score with Biddy adding the extras.Within minutes Brynmawr closed the gap when from a scrum the flanker pounced on the loose ball to touch down for an unconverted try.On the half hour mark another good passage of play saw centre Adam Tetley score to put the homeside 12pts.-5 going into halftime.

Within 4minutes of the second half Risca got their third try when scrum half Liam Thomas went over after again good approach work.The game then swung back in favour of Brynmawr when they forced there way over for another try which went unconverted.

Then on 22minutes of the 2nd.half a clearing kick down field was fielded on the halfway line by wing Wayne Whitehead who ran in field leaving defenders in his wake before passing to full back James Dowle who fed it to centre Adam Tetley coming in at pace and he handed on to Whitehead who finished off what he had started. A sensational try,the best seen at the Stores Field for many seasons.

Brynmawr were not finished though as they added a third try from their wing which was converted.Risca got out of trouble by gaining a foothold deep in Brynmawrs half only for a moment of madness in conceding an unnecessary penalty saw the last ten minutes mirror the first ten with the home side having to defend on their line.This they did to see out the game and gain a bonus point win.

This was a vastly improved display from Risca with the first up tackling spot on.The whole backline contributed all afternoon while the forwards worked hard, with Allyn Evans when he was brought on causing mayhem with his energy and aggression and My Man of the Match Joe Carlin back to his form of last season.

Next week Risca travel to Blaenavon.