Fixture

Caerphilly carried out a clinical demolition of Wattstown at the Constructaquote Stadium in Caerphilly last weekend scoring 8 tries and topping 50 points for the 6^th time this season. The win, the highest of the  5^th round propelled the Castletown side into the quarter finals where they were joined by Shane Williams’s Amman United, holders Bury Port, last year’s beaten finalists Taff’s Well, Cilfynydd, Cardigan Milford Haven and Swansea Uplands, all bidding for a day out at the Principality Stadium in May.

The home side set their stall out early, collecting from the kick off and breaking from deep. Following quick ball off the top after winning a lineout from a penalty the side span the ball wide, a knock on handing possession over to Wattstown to clear. Another great lineout ball on the right was moved into the centre where outside half Matthew Hurley was on hand with a chip ahead for Matthew Nuthall to collect and fall over the line.

Left wing Chris Thomas was next to cross having been delivered a pass on the try line Caerphilly working angles and finding space, the winger falling over the line. Wattstown replied minutes later with a penalty from outside half Matthew Lewis, their only score of the game. Caerphilly completely out played them for the remainder of the match, starving them of any possession and territory.  

No.8 Josh Hayward was next over the whitewash with half an hour completed. The home side were passing the ball fluidly through the backs and building phase play, drawing in the defence. Having been pushed put wide on the left Wattstown failed to throw a straight ball at the lineout and a big drive from the Caerphilly pack gave Hayward the space he needed to drive over the line after a pick up at the base. Hurley added the first of his 4 conversions, a good job for the home side that this was a bad day for the usual dependable kicker.

Tom Candy got his first on 35 minutes as Caerphilly kept possession. Moving upfield through the dancing feet of Thomas, the winger found himself twice involved in the move as the ball swung left then right for Full Back Candy to enter the line in space and score.

Jac Jonathon was last over the line in the first half, as Caerphilly kept the pressure on the visitors, Thomas again breaking down the left before delivering an inch perfect pass to the scrum half to run in from the 22. Hurley added a penalty with the last kick to leave Caerphilly leading 34-3 at the interval.

The home side were dealt a blow at the beginning of the second half as centre Simon Skinner was forced off with suspected broken ribs following a heavy tackle as the side attacked again. Another try minutes later settled the team as Nuthall crossed again finding space out left, breaking through with sheer power.

Davey, in customary fashion, rang the changes on the 50 minute mark, leaving the side a little time to settle before replacement hooker Rhys Cleverley, coming off the bench again to cross the line on 60 minutes, despite suspicions of crossing as he received the ball. Hurley again adding the additional 2 points.

Following a yellow card for both sides on 70 minutes the visitors enjoyed a purple patch with a series of penalties and possession, the home side’s defence pushed hard, but held firm. The final try of the game came courtesy of right wing Dan jones. Breaking from deep candy flew down the wing from his 22, chipping ahead on the half way line. A chasing Nuthall gathered the bouncing ball. Spinning the ball out wide Joes collected out wide to cross the 50 mark and complete a Good day at the Office for the Green and White’s and anticipation for the next round. Draw to take place this week.

Elsewhere the 2^ndXV inflicted a first defeat of the season for a strong Ystrad Rhondda side with a 15-10 victory, a good workout as the team head to Rhydyfelin next week, resuming their league fixture. While the Youth travel to and the First team face a resurged Blackwood Stars team fresh from their defeat of New Tredegar. All games kick off at 2:30pm.