Fixture

Match report by Clive James:

Prior to the game a minutes silence was observed for the former Risca R.F.C.player and team manager David 'Dai' James who recently passed away after a long illness.Our thoughts are with Angela,Paul and his family.

Risca were looking to record the double on the visitors who were one point ahead in the league table after picking up three victories while the home side needed to bounce back after the reverse at Blaenavon two weeks ago.

Geraint Roberts was making his 50th.appearance in the 2nd.row while centre Corey Nicholls and flanker Joe Carlin were on permit from Crosskeys.

Risca started with a bang and within the first fifteen minutes had scored two tries through firstly centre Adam Tetley who took a flat pass from Biddy at pace to run in unappossed from 30metres out,Biddy converted.Then wing Ryan Dallimore cut through the Caerleon defense after some superb handling to get his sixth try of the season.The tries came after an earlier penalty from Biddy when the visitors infringed at the scrum.

Risca continued to dominate but when a move broke down on the visitors 10yard line Caerleon moved the ball quickly down the right hand touchline and eventually got their first try when the right wing got over in the corner.The conversion drifted narrowly wide.

Normal service resumed as Risca increased the lead on thirty seven minutes.Again good build up play and quick handling saw left wing Taylor Barnes finish off with his first try.Ben Pesci put over the conversion after taking over the kicking duties from Biddy who was limping with a calf injury.

Before the break Caerleon got their second try when a break in midfield was not stopped and after keeping the ball deep into the Risca 22  the final pass saw their big 2nd.row crashing over for an unconverted try.

Half time 22pts.- 10.

The second half saw Risca having to re-shuffle the backline when Biddy could not continue.Ben Pesci moved to no.10,Ryan Dallimore went to full back and Ian Broughton came on to the wing.

The visitors came more into the game during the second period with their scrum half,no.8 and right wing prominent and it was no surprise when they got a third try after exerting pressure with a series of pick and drives.

Risca then took control for the remainder of the half but could not get the fourth try which would have given them the extra bonus point.

Caerleons defending and the homesides seemingly lack of confidence in attacking through their backline after the disruption at half time squandered the opportunity of the maximum points.

Adam Tetley and Ryan Dallimore were the pick of the backline while Joe Carlin and Louis Tovey gave their usual 100%.Man of the Match this week though was Jake Porter.

Final score 22pts.-15.

Next league match,is 23rd.March away to Hartridge. However, Risca will play Pill Harriers this Thursday (at Pill) in the Ben Francis Cup. KO 7:15pm.

Risca Athletic progressed in the cup competition beating Cwmbran 2nds.22pts,-18.

The Youth lost to Cwmbran Youth in the District Plate.