Fixture

Four try’s in the last 10 minutes helped Caerphilly earn another bonus point victory last weekend at a cold Hill Top Stadium in Ebbw Vale. In fact, coupled with a late kick off and an additional 6 minutes found by the referee, the game finished in almost darkness. Seven try’s in all has catapulted the team to a tally of 40 in the league this season and leaves the side 3 points behind leaders Oakdale with a game in hand.

Poor handling and decision making in the first half, as cold hands found difficulties gripping the ball, saw little score with most moves braking down time and time again in the final third of the pitch left Caerphilly’s lead at a solitude penalty from outside half Matthew Hurley. With 21 minutes on the clock another break saw Hurley break the line and find space at close quarters behind the Ebbw defence to cross for Caerphilly’s 1^st try, which he converted for a 10 point lead.

The home side had a chance to close the gap as they were awarded a penalty just outside the 22, the effort from Nathan Morgan just going wide. The home side had several chances to break and found themselves within 5 mtrs of the Caerphilly try line on several occasion, but the defence held firm. Equally, some stout defence from the home side and poor handling kept the visitors from scoring until the 39^th minute, when it was Hurley, again, that broke through on the overlap to score a simple converted try under the posts, and a 17-0 lead at the half way point.

The second half started in the same mould as the first, Caerphilly attacking, but failing to complete their moves in the final quarter of the pitch. A solitude Hurley penalty was eventually added by a try from flanker Tom Axenderry as he broke through the middle of a ruck during another attack, Hurley adding the 2 points.

With both sides making changes on the hour mark, the play broke up a little, and with Caerphilly chasing a bonus point they were guilty of forcing the play. Some try saving tackles from the visitors kept the home side at bay until two yellow cards, five minutes apart put pay to the home sides resolve.

Hurley grabbed his hat trick just before the return of the second card as the home side rebutted the attacks with resolve, only to give way to pressure in the final few minutes. The bonus point was gained and Caerphilly relaxed. Hurley added his 4^th try before replacement second row Josh Hayward was handed the ball from a quick RTB throw in and gifted a try as he ran from the 22 unopposed, and was at hand in the 6^th minute of injury time to complete a move that started in their own half to cross for the 7^th try. Hurley added the 3 conversion to take his personal tally to 38 for the game, and the 50 point mark was crossed again.

Next weekend, Caerphilly travel to league leaders Oakdale in the 4^th Round of the National Cup, kick off 2:30pm. The Youth team take a rest, whilst the 2ndXV play away at Llantwit Fadre.