Fixture

Match Report - Caerphilly v Rumney (Cardiff) - KO 11.00 - Sunday 24 March 2019 - Final Score 28-26 

It was a glorious sunny spring morning at the Vetro Recruitment Stadium today, with the home XV welcoming a strong and physical Rumney team.

A strong start from Caer sets the tone. Within the first 5 minutes Wil Lewis makes a great tackle on their strong centre, who had been running through at pace but who is stopped on the gain line. With the next play, Will Haley makes a great break through and Tylor Williams in support runs a great line to take the play within 10 yards of the line; he offloads to Wil Lewis in close support who steps one defender and runs a neat arc to score the first try 7-0.

The front five of Callum Morris, Ioan Hill, Luke Stone, Luke Turner and Logan Turner set a great platform at scrum time and push the visitors back at the scrum. This provides space for a nice pick up at the base from Connor Mayo who passes to Wil Lewis, Owen Hughes and then Danny Richards who makes great ground into the visitors 22.

Rumney come back strongly though but a great tackle by Will Haley forces them into touch on the home line and Caer clear from a nice line out taken crisply by Logan Turner.

The next play sees the first of Ellis Hughes’ outstanding try-saving tackles as their strong centre bursts through again into space. Eventually though there is no stopping the direct running and the number 12 takes the ball in close quarters at pace to score 7-5.

The close ebb and flow of the match continued, and eventually a tactical kick from Rumney is taken at full back by Ellis Hughes who sets off on a strong run before releasing Wil Haley who then makes a deft chip over the top. Connor Mayo and Danny Richards follow up strongly and the ball bounces up for Danny Richards to catch and touchdown neatly for the second score 14-5.

The next try follows some quick thinking with a short line out from Ioan Hill to Callum Morris. Ioan Hill then puts in a neat grubber kick behind the onrushing defence for Connor Mayo to pounce onto and show some neat footwork to score 21-5.

Great tackles by Owen Hughes, Tyler Williams, Louis Bellamy, Eli Weekes, Wil Haley, Wil Lewis and Logan Turner keep the try line intact. Another great “last man” tackle by Ellis Hughes and then Louis Bellamy stops another certain try as the half time whistle blows.

The second half was to see the Rumney pack stick to their consistent pick and go strategy and this time it’s Cian O’Sullivan, Scott Pritchard and Logan Turner out wide to make a crucial tackle.

Rumney keep coming through and consecutive pick up and drives through the middle set up the try 21-12 

Caer keep their composure though and a nice pick up from the strong scrum platform by Connor Mayo sees a draw and give to Will Haley. He then releases Scott Pritchard who makes ground before a great offload to Tylor Williams running onto the ball at pace to score 28-12.

Rumney’s power and multiple pick-ups and drives through the ruck though lead to another strong response and the visitors’ 3rd try - 28-19 

Great tackling from across the team stems the flow, and eventually a wonderful turnover by Scott Pritchard sees Will Haley clear down the pitch - Rumney come forward again but an outstanding tackle by Eli Weekes pushes them back. Another great break by Rumney almost results in a try, but a wonderful tackle from Ellis Hughes pushes him into touch.

Eventually though Rumney win a penalty and their centre takes a quick tap and scores with 1 minute to go 28-26. 

An accurate restart and follow- up tackles close the game out for a hard-won victory 🏉 - Phew !

Well done to all the boys for showing imagination, and quick thinking to secure the win. Great tackling, quick passing, support play, and well-placed tactical kicks secured the victory # togetherasone

Written By - Warren Lewis