Fixture

Match report by Clive James:

Photograph courtesy of Ian Whitcombe

Risca are still searching for their first league win of the season after a mediocre Blaenavon side left the Stores Field with a 34pts.-14 victory.With stiffer opposition to face leading up to the end of the year things are not going to get easier and unless the limited playing squad show up en bloc at the tuesday and thursday training sessions supporting the coaching staff, who over the last two seasons have done a superb job, we will be in a relegation dog-fight for the remainder of the season.

Saturday saw Sam Tyrrell coming into the 2nd.row after Kiaran Lewis pulled out.Matt Bradbury came into the backrow for the unavailable Alex Sully.Corey Howells was on the wing and Owain Biddiscombe came out of retirement to fill the no.10 slot.

    It only took ten minutes for the visitors to take the lead with a converted try only for Risca to get on level terms when from a driving maul hooker Louis Tovey touched down for scrum half Ben Pesci to add the extra points.

After thirty five minutes Blaenavon had extended their lead with two penalty goals and another converted try after weak defense allowed Nathan Preece an easy run in.

Risca then put together their best passage of play which resulted in flanker Allyn Evans touching down for Pesci to put over the conversion.

Half time 14pts.-27.

Risca's woes continued within five minutes of the re-start when again weak tackling allowed Blaenavon an easy run in under the posts for a converted score.

For the remainder of the half Blaenavon did not add to their score while Risca huffed and puffed but could not cross the whitewash.

Rhys Meredith again gave 100% as did Louis Tovey while centre Brandon Kent made some barnstorming runs but Man of the Match with a superb allround display was flanker Allyn Evans.

Full time 14pts.-34.

Risca Youth narrowly lost to Penallta 9pts.-12.

Next Saturday Brynmawr are the visitors in the rearranged Plate fixture.Kick off 2.30.