Fixture

Pontypool United RFC | Under 15s 20 - 7 Caerphilly RFC | Under 15s

Match Report
11 March 2019 / Team News

U15's - "Cae Resilient In Defeat At Skewfields"

Match Report - Pontypool v Caerphilly - KO 11am - Sunday 10th March

It was an extremely changeable early spring morning, with all seasons in one day: hail, sleet, glorious sunshine and driving gale force rain. It was sunshine that initially greeted a depleted Caer XV for the away fixture at Pontypool. 

However, those that made the trip did the jersey proud and, but for injuries to Josh Morcock, Tyler Williams and Wil Lewis (all whilst playing full back), it could have been a different result.

The game starts extremely well, with a good pattern and Scott Pritchard making a great run before offloading to Connor Mayo in close support, but alas he is stopped just short. Great tackling from across the team keeps a good ebb and flow to the contest and eventually a double tackle by Wil Lewis and Will Haley wins a turnover.

Another outstanding turnover at ruck time by Scott Pritchard releases Will Haley who makes a nicely weighted kick for Cian O’Sullivan to pounce onto. However, some gusty wind turbulence takes the ball just over the dead ball line for a drop out 22.

The wonderful ebb and flow of the match continues with no team giving an inch, and some brilliant tackling from Owen Hughes, Eli Weekes and Louis Bellamy forcing a knock on in midfield.

Another outstanding tackle by Louis Bellamy creates a turnover and the ball is quickly moved to Will Haley who kicks ahead. Connor Mayo and Eli Weekes chase the kick and force a knock on. Brilliant team play then sees the ball spread wider and Scott Pritchard straightens the line-up. Huw Ashman then takes the ball into contact and sets up a good ruck, which Wil Lewis quickly clears to the on-rushing Abhishek who crashes through 4 of the Pontypool team to score under the posts 7-0.

The close contest continues, but with Josh Morkot now injured, their strong number 23 breaks through numerous tackles to score a good solo effort. 7-5.

As half time approaches, another trademark gallop from Abhishek makes good ground and sets up a line out on the Ponty line. The ball goes loose though and Ponty make ground to half way before an interception from Huw Ashman which Will Haley then clears downfield.

Half time. 5-7 to Caerphilly.

A great defensive one-handed pick up by Tyler Williams sees him make a great run, but some heavy collisions see another full back injured, and Wil Lewis moves to cover the position.

Pontypool keep on coming and Wil Lewis bravely dives on a bouncing ball to win the penalty as Ponty stream in over the top. The kick for once evades touch and Ponty run it back strongly, before then kicking ahead making use of the strong supporting wind. Huw Ashman gathers, and feeds Wil Lewis who makes a darting run, but alas the curse of the full back strikes again, and he leaves the field to be replaced by Connor Mayo this time.

The depletion of the team eventually starts to show and Pontypool win a line out in the visitors’ 22 and they score - 10-7. Despite the depleted numbers though the boys keep on fronting up and great tackles by Louis Bellamy and Owen Hughes seem to stem the flow, but Ponty now with the clear momentum score again - 15-7. Another turnover at the ruck, sees the Ponty centre running on at pace to score the final try 7-20.

The last 10 minutes, despite players covering varied positions, were all Caerphilly with Owen Wilding making a run to set up a ruck and another great run by Abhishek, set up by Lewis Adams, supported by Sam Davies and Callum Morris sees a penalty on the line to close the game out.

Overall, another “backs to wall” display away from home, against one of the stronger teams. But for the injuries on their the day, it could have been a very different story in the end, between two well matched teams - full credit to the boys for keeping going to the end and covering out of position #TogetherAsOne 

 

Written By - Warren Lewis

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