News

Match report bt Richard Evans

Photograph by kind pemission Simon Latham

Risca under 13s travelled down the valley to Rodney Parade on Sunday to take on Caerphilly in the Dragons Plate final, hoping to be the first side in history to bring Dragon's Cup/Plate silverware to Risca. Risca with all 25 players available for the first time this season had warm up t-shirts presented to them at the club house, by ex Risca coach and present Newport head coach Ty Morris. All Players and parents were thankful for this and this gave the players an extra boost.

Risca took to the field from the tunnel in good mood and started with a bang within the first 5 minutes getting on the scoreboard. with a strong carry by openside Iwan Dark getting Risca on the front front, then good clear out by the forwards followed by another strong carry by number 8 Tom Hancock got Risca up to Caerphilly's 10mtr line where the ball was spread wide through good hands by centres Josh Jarvis and Jack Woods to release full back Callum Chivers who beat two men to get over the line, the conversion just missing.

Risca for the next 10 minutes were the better side playing some good rugby but unfortunately some errors costing them field position and possession. This gave the Caerphilly team some go forward ball and through there two big forwards got into the Risca 22 where the Caerphilly outside half kicked into space behind Risca's backline for there winger to score in the corner.

Half Time - Risca 5 Caerphilly 5

From the kick off Risca started on the front foot again getting into Caerphilly's 22 only to see errors again cough up possession for Caerphilly to clear there line. Strong defence by forwards Llewellyn Rees, Sam Llewellyn and Molly Owen kept Caerphilly's big forwards from crossing the Risca line.

Risca worked there way up field where they were awarded a penalty just inside the Caerphilly 22 where full back Callum Chivers stepped up and slot it over for an 8-5 lead.

From the kick another mistake by Risca let Caerphilly back into the game where after about 10 minutes of pressure in the Risca 22 the defence which had been fantastic up until then finally cracked and the large Caerphilly number 8 crashed over in the corner conversion was missed.

Risca were now 10-8 down with 10 minutes to go from the kick off Risca chased hard and put Caerphilly under pressure with every player giving every they hard but with uncharacteristic errors this was keeping Caerphilly with there noises in front. Risca working hard to stop a Caerphilly driving maul just inside there 22 then a good carry by there 8 was met by good defence by Risca forwards and good spoiling work done by number 9 Jack Hale causing the ball to spill out behind Caerphilly's 9 who threw a pass out only for Risca outside half Callum Evans to intercept and run in from Caerphilly's 22 and score in the corner. Conversion was missed.

Risca now 13-10 up with minutes remaining, made another mistake from the kick off for Caerphilly to launch another attack but good defence kept them at bay, before Risca was giving a penalty with the clock turned red Risca tapped the ball and kicked to touch to round off a fantastic year for this wonderful group of kids who deserve this after all the effort and commitment they have shown throughout the saeason.

Risca 13 Caerphilly 10