News

Today we welcomed a Cwmbran side who were looking to carry and geared up to get another win according to their twitter feed when announcing their side for the game. If that was to put fear into the selected Ynysddu squad then it had no effect at all  as Cwmbran may have been roaring like lions on twitter they were like lambs to the slaughter on the playing field.  

Right from the kick off Ynysddu drove at them and continued to play a well structured game which saw the backs and forwarding mixing up the play  with good driving runs and switching to  strong running backline. I think the only Cwmbran player to touch the ball in the first  five minutes put the ball into touch to relieve the pressure on their line. From the lineout a driving maul put Cwmbran on the back foot before Keane crossed for the first score. Jezza converted to give us  7-0 lead.

Ynysddu continued to dominate but the stray pass and stubborn defence kept the scoreboard silent , Jez missed a penalty on 25 minutes but made amends when he slotted  a penalty at 32  minutes  and that was the score at half time 10 – 0.  One area of the field that wasn’t a concern was the Ynysddu 22  as Cwmbran failed to make an appearance in that part of the field in that first 40 minutes.

The second half was more of the same Ynysddu dominating territory and possession although Cwmbran put up stubborn defence and after 10 minutes they managed to get into the ynysddu 22 for the first time although it was shortlived. Cwmbran’s scrum did cause us a few problems at times and in fact stole 2 against the head but it must be said their kicking game had a lot to be desired and caused us no problem The first twenty minutes of this half was scoreless and try as we like wrong options and silly infringement ment that despite the dominance Cwmbran were still only two tries away from taking the lead. Where those were to come from I don’t know because they seemed void of ideas in attack. Jezza kicked a penalty to extend the lead to 13-0 and then the usual changes with replacements coming on. 

Pickles, made a nice break and although well supported his pass went straight into grateful Cwmbran hands, then a kick head and chase by Jamsey  sees the ball bounce backwards as he was about to collect and with Pross following up the cruel bounce of the rugby ball beat  him. Lineout drives and five metre scrums peppered the Cwmbran line but infringements meant penalties against us and Cwmbran send out a sigh of relief again.

Relief for Cwmbran was short lived, a bit like they very few entries into our 22 during the game, as again forwards and backs continue running at them. Just when you think their stubborn defence had closed out the  game the boys kept coming at them believing there was at least another score  to come and run them first to the left and  then forwards driving up the middle the ball is worked out to Luke Hughes who ran like a gazelle to outpace the defence and cross the line. Jezza converts and its 20 – 0.  We finish the game again on the attack but unable to extend our lead.

Final score 20 -0 . Always nice to keep a clean sheet but to be fair its Monday afternoon and that Cwmbran side would still be trying to score now.  They must have been disappointed with their performance as after food they failed to make an appearance in the clubhouse .

The Rats travelled to Monmouth minus Captain Browne from the side originally selected but with Iwan “I wanabee a marine” Whittaker making his first appearance of the season. Now I fill it hard to say something about a game I’ve watched but to do a write up when your not there is harder!.

I’m told that the boys played really well and that the forwards were strong in set pieces. One thing that is easy is to spot that there is strength in depth appearing at the club with several boys with first team experience now playing in this side . Tries were scored by Ethan Pritchard (2) Arnie and Ashley Reed with young Ben Phillips successful with 2 conversions  

With 10 boys still unavailable  but due to come back within the next couple of weeks we put out two full squads  which must be something to be proud of for a village side. Who wants to be a selector!!

Next week the firsts travel to Croesyceilog whilst the Rats entertain Abergavenny