Fixture

Risca RFC | 1st Team 15 - 27 Pontypool United RFC | 1st Team
Matthew Mcgovern
Try 1
James Dowle
Conversion 1
Penalty 1
Todd James
Try 1

Match Report
14 January 2018 / Team News

Risca 15 - Pontypool Utd 27

Match report by Clive James:

 

A large crowd were at the Stores Field to watch the re-arranged league fixture between Risca and Pontypool Utd. who were 5th. and 4th.respectively in Division 1East.

After five consecutive wins the home team took to the field in a confident mood.

Rhys James moved to the centre with Matthew McGovern dropping to the bench, Liam Thomas started at scrum half replacing the injured Rhys Meredith, Rhys Norville

returned to the 2nd.row after recovering from his hand injury, prop Evan Whitson was on permit from Newport while wing Ben Pesci was making his 50th.appearance.

From the kick off Risca started strongly and within two minutes were awarded a penalty which full back James Dowle put over from the 22metre line.

Pontypool Utd. responded on ten minutes when from  an overthrown lineout on their goal line they made ground into Risca's 22.A penalty was conceded and they were back on level terms.

For twenty minutes both sides were looking for a breakthrough but the defences were holding firm.

On the half hour mark the visitors no.10 put a chip kick over the Risca backline the scramble defence got back but conceded another penalty which was converted to take the lead.

The remaining ten minutes of the half saw Pontypool Utd.being awarded two tries which should not have been given. The first was knocked on by the wing who then retrieved the ball 

and ran in to score. The second from the no.8 saw him run into his own player before he grounded.

   Half time Risca 3-20pts.Pontypool Utd.

Within minutes of the re-start the visitors increased their lead.From the kick off the ball was gathered and moved out to the impressive no.10 Mills whose inside pass found openside

flanker Smith who cut through the cover before handing onto the supporting 2nd,row who went over under the posts for a converted try.

Risca then made changes with Todd James coming on at no.8, Matthew McGovern at centre and Evan Whitson at loose head.

The game plan that the visitors used in the first half continued when the substitutions had been made as they shackled the Risca side from playing with any fluency.

The homeside then got back in the game when a succession of yellow cards saw Pontypool Utd. at one stage down to twelve players.Todd James and Matthew McGovern both touched down but it all came too late and Risca's bubble had been burst.

The first half saw three kickable penalties not being taken and if they had it could have been a different outcome. Collectively the team knew they hadn't performed as in previous

games and will be looking to put it right next saturday against Croesyceiliog. 

  Final score Risca 15-27pts.Pontypool Utd.

The Youth won a combined cup and league fixture 6pts.-5 at Cwmbran.

The Athletic lost 10-41pts at Rumney.

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