Fixture

Match Report - Abercwmboi v Caerphilly - KO 11am Sunday 16 September 

Abercwmboi welcomed the Cae XV on a mizzly and damp Autumn morning for what turned out to be a highly entertaining and hard-fought win. You could tell it was damp by the drips still on my iPad as I write up the report at home ! 

The positive and determined tone was started from the off, with Will Haley delivering a high and nicely weighted kick to put the home team on the back foot immediately. From the turnover, Caer made good ground and from the final ruck Ieuan picked up smartly to dive over from short range for a 0-7 lead within a minute.

The positive and direct approach continued with Abhishek making one of his trademark charges only to be stopped just short by a determined defence. The game then ebbed and flowed and with the wet conditions, Wil Lewis made a few darting runs from the base to keep the defence on their toes.

The home team eventually cleared their lines but a lovely trap in mid-air and catch by Eillis Hughes at full back, set up another counter attack. Eventually a penalty saw the visitors kick into the corner and from the resulting lineout the ever-reliable Logan Turner took the accurate throw from Ioan Hill to set up a series of rucks before a nice pass from Lewis Adams sent Abhishek crashing through from short range for a 12-0 lead at half time.

The second half started where the first left off, with the determined Abercwmboi defence forcing a turnover in midfield to bring the score to 12-7. The score though seemed to galvanise the well-disciplined visitors. A wonderful catch at full back from Ellis Hughes set up a great run. He passed to Louis Bellamy and Ioan Hill who made further ground before Connor Mayo on the wing finished a great team move off in the corner. 19-7.

The defence then really started to lay the platform for a strong finish with a well weighted kick from Will Haley being followed up strongly by Josh Morkot to force a knock on. 

Great tackling then by Eli Weekes, Luke Stone, Callum Morris, Ioan Hill, Louis Bellamy, Owen Hughes and Josh Morkot snuffed out yet another Abercwmboi attack. This was then followed up by a great tackle from Scott Pritchard to save a certain try which Will Haley then cleared down to the home team 22. 

The home team launched the ball forward again and this time it was Huw Ashman taking a great high ball despite the conditions, who then fed Logan Turner who set up Abhishek to made strong yardage. Abercwmboi cleared their lines again, but Ellis Hughes took the high ball neatly before a nice pass to Scott Pritchard in space made what was to be the telling score at 24-7 with a great long-range run.

The Caer XV then showed their fitness in slippery conditions with Ioan Hill taking the restart and passing to Tyler Williams, who then passed to Connor Mayo, and in turn Abhishek out wide for a great team try from the restart - the ball being kept alive at all times and players looking for their teammates in space.

The final try came from an initial break by Will Haley, supported by Abhishek, Connor Mayo and the ever-present Tyler Williams in great support to complete an outstanding team effort. 7-38 

Abercwmboi kept going to the end though and only a last ditch tap tackle from Louis Bellamy kept the scoreboard unchanged at the final whistle.

Man, of the match, voted for by the Abercwmboi coaches was Abhishek. Well done to the whole team for a hard fought and disciplined win - it was great to see such outstanding support play, and direct running to score some great team tries in the final quarter. The defence and fitness across the team created the platform for a hard-fought win #togetherasone

Written By - Warren Lewis