Fixture

Match report by Clive James:

A minutes silence was observed before the Risca v Ynysybwl league game for fixture secretary Dai Davies who recently passed away. His family and friends attended the game which ended in a bonus point win for the Cuckoo's.

Three changes were made from last week with centre Owen Coomer returning from Abercarn, youth product Taylor Barnes making his debut on the wing for the injured Ben Pesci and Mike Preece filling the no.8 position. Callum Coughlin moved to blindside and on the bench Anthony Symonds was on permit from Newbridge.

Risca were out of the blocks quickly and within the first eight minutes were 10pts.up. Firstly full back Dowle put over a penalty then 2nd.row Horler finished off with a converted try under the posts after a sweeping move which started on the home 22. Another score looked on when again quick hands among the backs saw wing Barnes racing clear down the touchline only to be hauled down short of the line.

Ynysybwl then got their first score.Impressive no.14 Voyle burst through the middle and he got up to the Risca 22 but the covering Ryan Dallimore cut out the danger with a superb tackle. A penalty followed and the Bwl kicked to the corner. From the resultant lineout the ball was thrown short, gathered and fed quickly to Voyle who went over in the corner.  Ryan Dallimore then ran in from 25metres to touchdown for an unconverted try after Meredith fed him from a scrum.

The pressure was kept on the visitors with captain Rhys Meredith, no.10 Biddy and hooker Tovey to the fore with probing runs,astute distribution and kicking and big carries. Just on half time it was one of Rhys Merediths runs that saw play move to within yards of the goalline.Then a driving maul saw Tovey touch down for Dowle to add the extras.

  Half time 22pts.- 5.

For twenty minutes of the second half the intensity that Risca had played in the first period dropped off but it was the homeside who got back on the scoreboard when from a scrum under the Bwl posts the ball was moved to Biddy whose pass was gratefully recieved by Dallimore who ran in for his second try when it could have easily fallen to the Bwl player who was looking to intercept. Ynysybwl got the next score when full back Williams ran strongly onto a short pass and went over under the posts for a converted try.

The play swung back into the opposition half and after good approach play Callum Coughlin went over for a try,Dowle added the extras. A third try followed for the Bwl when from a lineout on the Risca line the defense were caught out again when flanker Lloyd ran around after recieving the ball from the second row to touch down in the corner. The centre Perry put over the conversion from the touchline.

Two more scores followed before the final whistle. Risca got their sixth when hooker Tovey got his second after Preece and Horler made ground before scrum half Meredith ran strongly drawing in defenders before looping a pass over his head to Tovey who touched down for Dowle to convert. The Bwl got their fourth and a bonus point when prop Daf Davies forced his way over from close range. 

This game saw Risca playing some glorious rugby with backs and forwards combining well to create some fabulous tries. Captain Rhys Meredith was unstoppable all afternoon [although he hadn't got in until 4am],Biddy orchestrated things at no.10, Horler was outstanding at the lineout and around the park, wing Ryan Dallimore was strong in defense as well as a threat with ball in hand. But it was hooker Louis Tovey who was Man of the Match with his numerous carries and two tries.

 Final score 41pts.-26.

The Athletic went down 5pts-50 at Cardiff Mets. While the youth lost narrowly 8pts.-13 to Rhymney.

 Next saturday Risca travel to Brynmawr.

 Athletic play Cardiff Saracens away in round 1 of the Bowl.

 Youth travel to Whiteheads.