Fixture

Match report by Clive James:

Brynmawr with ex Ebbw Vale captain Damien Hudd and centre Nathan Preece in their line upcame to the Stores Field looking to maintain their unbeaten run.Risca had a new half back combination with Liam Thomas at no.9 and James Meredith at fly half,Sam Tyrell started at tight head prop and there was a welcome return on the bench of Kiaran Lewis who had been out injured.

Within five minutes the visitors took the lead when wing Josh Congreave ran through full back Dowle to score an unconverted try in what was a replica of last weeks early score.Risca then got back into the game with good interplay from forwards and backs and when Brynmawr infringed at the breakdown Dowle put over the penalty.But as in previous games the homeside conceded almost immediately.From a scrum in the 22metre area Liam Thomas had a kick charged down and from the resulting three scrums the referee awarded a penalty try.Dowle added his second penalty only for Brynmawr to increase their lead when the strong running Preece burst through the midfield before handing onto his fellow centre who touched down under the posts for a converted try.Another converted try followed with Dowle adding two more penalties to make the score 12-26pts.at half time.

During the first quarter of the second half centre Preece was made to look like an international with Risca falling off tackles and from both of his runs tries were scored.Dowle put over another penalty and the score stood at 15-38pts.with twenty minutes remaining.What a final period it was with Kiaran Lewis coming off the bench to add his physicality in the loose.   

Strong runs from McGovern, Tetley, Norville and Todd James kept Brynmawr on the back foot.  Two tries were scored one by scrum half Liam Thomas after a blind side burst took him over for Tetley to convert after Dowle left the field with a rib injury.  The second came after superb play from the forwards drove the visitors over the goal line and Tovey was awarded the score.  With time running out the next try would have given Risca a losing bonus point but it eluded them when the final whistle sounded to end another high scoring game.

The attitude of the players in that last period of play was tremendous but again weak tackling and players holding onto the ball too long, together with silly errors cost Risca the points.

A tight head prop is needed to strengthen the pack and secure quality ball for the dangerous back line to flourish.  Good performances today came from Todd James, Tovey, Horler and James Meredith.  My man of the match was second row Rhys Norville.

Athletic lost to Rhiwbina 25 -22

Youth lost to Nelson 20 - 11

Next week Risca travel to Croesyeceilog.