Fixture

Match Report - Caerphilly v CRICC - KO 11am Sunday 23rd September 

Caerphilly welcomed CRICC for the first time to the Vetro Recruitment stadium on a warm and initially overcast autumn morning, following 24hrs of rain. The pitch despite the deluge was in good shape.

CRICC were keen to fulfil the fixture despite them missing 4 District players thereby reducing their numbers to only 12. To ensure a run out for both teams, Caerphilly asked Abhishek and Wil Lewis to play for CRICC for the first half and both teams played with 14.

Despite their reduced numbers it was CRICC who struck first with a nicely timed pass from Wil Lewis releasing their strong number 8 to crash through for a 0-5 lead. The score seemed to galvanise the home XIV with some straight running from Connor Mayo setting up a ruck, from which Danny Richards passed to Wil Haley who dummied and ghosted through to tie the scores early on.

The next score came from a nice variation in play from Haley at 10 who chipped over the CRICC rush defence for Connor Mayo to pick up and score. A great series of passes then from Lewis Adams, Ellis Hughes, Danny Richards, Ioan Hill and Owen Hughes then puts Connor Mayo into space to run in for another well worked score from half way and a 15-5 lead.

CRICC though remained a stubborn and well drilled opponent with some wonderful passing of their own, eventually seeing a penalty awarded on Caer line. A quick tap saw the CRICC number 3 crash through to bring the score to 15-10.

The visitors then proceeded to tie the game at 15-15 with a try started from a typical barnstorming run by Abhishek and finished off by some crisp passing along 
the CRICC backline. 

Caer were quick to respond and having worked their way up the pitch Callum Morris took a nice line out and fed the ball to Scott Pritchard who scored to take the lead again. The first half finished off with CRICC clearing their lines and making a kick down field which is gathered well by Ellis Hughes to score in the corner.

Half time arrives with the scores at 25-15 and the watching crowd are rewarded with some glorious Autumn sunshine. Lewis Adams and Owen Wilding swap with Wil Lewis and Abhishek to make up the CRICC XIV. 

A great tackle from Ellis Hughes saves a certain try by the visitors strong running centre but CRICC keep the ball alive and they score in the corner to bring the teams within 1 score again. 

It was great see Sam Davies back today, and he certainly made a positive impact with a strong run from the next restart making good ground to set up a ruck well into the visitor’s half. Crisp passing along the backline then sees Scott Pritchard and Callum Morris straighten the line up to put Abhishek into space and a 30-20 lead.

The visitors kept coming through and an interception from the restart sees the scores back within 1 try with 15 mins to go. 

At this point the boy’s composure and fitness started to come to the forefront as it did last week. A turnover at ruck time sees Ioan Hill suck in the defence, with Scott Prichard then switching play to release Ellis Hughes to score in the corner. 

Nice running by Abhishek and Sam Davies to set up a ruck in midfield at the next play, is then followed by crisp passing along the line enabling Scott Pritchard to draw the last man and unselfishly put in Ellis Hughes for great team try. 

The next score comes from a wonderful length of the field break from Will Haley, whom is held up over the line to force a SCRUM V. From the resultant scrum CRICC clear the line , but the ever-present Ellis Hughes takes the high ball and straightens up to create space for Connor Mayo and then Abhishek whom crashes over from short range. 

It was Caer whom were to have the final score with Scott Pritchard taking possession and running straight at centre, before Wil Lewis makes a darting run, to release Abhishek for a 50-25 final score.

Well done to both teams for an entertaining game of rugby and thanks goes in particular to Abhishek, Wil, Lewis and Owen for supporting our visitors and enabling both teams to have a great run out. #togetherasone

Written By – Warren Lewis