Fixture

Risca RFC | 1st Team 41 - 39 Ynysybwl RFC | 1st Team
Joe Carlin
Try 1
Liam Thomas
Try 2
Callum Anderson
Try 1
James Dowle
Conversion 4
Penalty 3
Try 1

Match Report
22 April 2018 / Team News

Risca 42 - Ynysybwl 39

Match report by Clive James.

Photographs courtesy of Ian Whitcombe.

This was a day and a game that will be remembered iand talked about in years to come for a number of reasons. The minutes silence for the Risca stalwart Mike James,Geraint Rowlands 100th.appearance and the game itself.

Ynysybwl were the visitors and after a home win of 35pts.- 29 they were looking to gain the double. How close they came. Throughout the season the Bwl have been involved in twelve high scoring league games with a total of 656points being amassed.Eighty one more were to be added to that total at the end of the afternoon.

Captain Rhys Meredith started at centre in place of the unavailable Matt McGovern,Liam Thomas was at scrum half and Todd James came into the 2nd.row with Callum Anderson dropping to the bench. Ieuan Davies was at loosehead with centurian Geraint Rowlands also on the bench. The homeside opened their account from the off.Todd James made ground after fielding the kick off,the ball was moved quickly to full back Dowle who ran deep into the Bwls half before handing onto the supporting Joe Carlin who ran in under the posts for a converted try.

On the 10minute the second try came from that man Dowle who went on a mazy 30metre run to touch down and add the extras. The visitors then got on the scoreboard with a converted try before Risca extende their lead when scrum half Liam Thomas went over after good approach play.Dowle converted. Then Ynysybwl turned the game on it's head with two converted tries in quick succession after woeful defending and a penalty goal followed to see the visitors get to half time 22pts.- 21 ahead.

Callum Anderson started the second half with Joe Carlin going off with a hamstring strain. Another early score put Risca back in front when Liam Thomas got his second try and they increasedthe lead even further when Anderson powered over for a converted try after good work from Ieuan Davies and James Sully. Ynysybwl were not finished and a crossfield kick was gathered by the left wing who touched down for a converted try. This was followed by another penalty to bring them back to within one point.  A Dowle penalty put the homeside back in control but this was shortlived as the Bwl got their fifth try which was converted putting them 36pts.- 39 ahead with little time left for Risca to rscue the situation.But rescue it they did as two late Dowle penalties gave them a 42pts.- 39 win.

All the subs were used in the second half and they all contributed to the team.  After the performance against Brynmawr in midweek when everyone put in a huge effort it was evident the players were feeling tired so it is credit to them they ground out this result.  James Dowle continued to rattle up the points with another 22 to add to the seasons total of 132, Todd James was very prominent throughout the afternoon with his strong runs and defensive work. But my Man of the Match was Liam Thomas who had a superb alround game.

The Youth drew for the second week running against Caldicot 12pts.apiece. The Athletic lost their friendly.

Next saturday the 1st.XV travel to Brecon K.O.2.30.  The ARhletic play Crymych away in the Conference league KO 2:30.

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