Fixture

Match report by Clive James

Photograph courtesy of Mac Morgan

The quarter final of the Ben Francis Cup was switched to Hartridge due to the floodlighting. The homeside must have been confident of gaining the double over the visitors after the win a few months ago against a depleted Risca team in a friendly.At the end of the evening though they would have realised the strenghth of Division 1 where they hope to be next season.

Risca were disrupted before they took to the field with hooker Louis Tovey dropping out due to work committments and Liam Thomas being delayed arriving on time. Dan Webb came in to replace Tovey while Ryan Dallimore moved to full back.Rhodri Evans came into the 2nd.row on permit from Nelson.

From the kick off Risca took the game to the homeside and played with high tempo keeping the defense busy.Constant waves of attacks were thwarted and after a penalty attempt was pulled wide Hartridge eventually got into the visitors 22.and exerted pressure of their own.

Further disruption in the Risca ranks saw centre Adam Tetley leave the field with a badly cut eye.Taylor Dimmick moved into the mid field with Ryan Dallimore going back to his wing position and Liam Thomas coming on at full back.

After missing a penalty attempt in front of the posts Hartridge regained the ball from the drop out and made ground deep into the Risca 22.From a scrum the ball was moved wide and the home centre crashed through for the opening score,the conversion failed.

The reversal sparked the visitors back into life and on the half hour mark after some slick handling wing Ryan Dallimore squeezed over in the left hand corner for an unconverted try. From the re-start the ball was moved to centre Dimmick who made a strong run from the half way line before handing on to McGovern.The move was stopped just short of the goal line and a 5metre scrum was awarded to Risca.The ball was moved wide and when Hartridge infringed Biddy slotted the simple kick in front of the posts.

Again from the kick off Risca attacked up the right hand touchline firstly through McGovern then flanker Joe Carlin took the pass and made a strong run into the 22 where his fellow backrow partner Sully took the scoring pass for anther unconverted try.

Half Time 13pts.- 5.

At the start of the second half  Biddy put in a telling touchfinder and from the resulting play Risca extended their lead when after more good handling Joe Carlin went over for another unconverted try.Hartridge huffed and puffed but could not break down the visitors defense and the final nail was driven in when Ryan Dallimore made a strong run before handing onto Dimmick who turned on the after burners to score yet another unconverted try.

Full Time 23pts.- 5.

This was a very solid,disciplined performance witnessed by only a handful of supporters.Dan Webb played well in the unaccustomed hooker position,Rhodri Evans was aggressive in the loose and took good lineout ball,the back row of Carlin,Coughlin and Sully were again everywhere while behind the scrum Captain Rhys Meredith kept the Hartridge backrow guessing at what he was going to do next.

But Man of The Match was Taylor Dimmick who was a constant threat with his strong running and support play.