Fixture

Risca RFC | 1st Team 23 - 21 Blaenavon RFC | 1st Team
Rhys Meredith
Try 1
Ben Pesci
Conversion 1
Penalty 3

Match Report
07 May 2018 / Team News

Risca 23 - Blaenavon 21

Match report by Clive James:

Photograph courtesy of John Hayes.

After last weeks heavy defeat at Brecon and the errors that gifted them six tries,  it was hoped that Risca would revert to the disciplined performances the supporters have been used to seeing during the season.

Blaenavon were the visitors for the last home game of the league campaign. Ben Pesci moved to full back for the unavailable top points scorer James Dowle.  Andrew Fraser and Taylor Dimmick filled the wing positions. Jordan Rogers was at tight head prop on permit fro Ebbw Vale,  while on the bench was Brad Yardley and ex Risca lock Anthony Symons on permit from Caerleon and Newbridge.

The homeside built up a 10 point lead through a try from Captain Rhys Meredith, who was unstoppable when he ran in from thirty metres. Ben Pesci added the conversion then put over a penalty on the half hour mark. With the Risca pack dominent it was looking likely that more tries were going to follow especially with centres Tetley and McGovern causing the visiting defence problems with their strong running. A try did come but it was the Blaenavon left wing who ran from his own 22metre line after a pass was spilled. The no.10 added the conversion.

Half time 10pts.-7.

Early into the second half Pesci extended the home teams lead with another penalty but immediately Blaenavon added another converted try after missed tackles. Pesci got his third penalty to put Risca 16pts.- 14 ahead. This again was shortlived as from Risca attacking inside the visitors 22 a delayed flat pass was siezed on by the Blaenavon no.12 who ran in under the posts for a converted try.

Adam Jones came on for Jordan Rogers and Anthony Symonds replaced James Sully for the last quarter.

Throughout the game the homeside had been dominent at the set scrums and their driving mauls were causing Blaenavon all sorts of problems. But for all the dominence Risca could not convert the pressure into points through wrong options, dropped passes and turn overs.

With time running out a final effort saw Risca get out of jail when the referee awarded a penalty try to record a very lucky 23pts.- 21 win.

After the monumental effort against Brynmawr the Risca team have not been able to continue that intensity but what a superb season it's been and with Dowlais to play Wednesday evening in the final game of the season a top four position can be secured.

The third team (Risca Veterans) played Irish side Malahide and ran out 29pts.- 24. The youth won on ther visit to Belgium.

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