Fixture

     The Welsh National League Division 3 East A reached the midway point of the season last weekend as Caerphilly welcomed Llanhilleth to The Constructaquote Stadium. It was evident that a 3 week layoff had left the side a little rusty as they struggled to maintain consistency throughout the match. Despite the lack of game time, centre Matthew Nuthall set the home side’s stall out in the first minute breaking from the kick off down the right wing only for the back pass from the side-line to go awry, a theme that continued throughout the match.

     It took just 3 minutes for the first try as Tom Candy crossed for the first of his hatrick out wide, the home side having stolen lineout ball and prop Kieron Thomas driving into the visitors line, outside half Mathew Hurley adding the conversion. Despite their struggles, the visitors grabbed a try back as they slowly worked their way up field eventually winning a lineout on the 5 mtr line. Taking play closer to the line the ball was spun from the ruck for scrum half Dan O’Brian to cross the line. Llanhilleth put up a great fight against and tested the Caerphilly defence on deveral occasions to their credit, playing until the final whistle, to their credit, it was unfortuneate that they faced a sctronger side ready to punish mistakes from anywhere on the field.

     Another great break from Candy down the left entering the line in his 22, and running to the opposite 22, sidestepping several defenders along the way only to be brought down inches from the line. Form the ruck Scrum half Jac Jonathon collected the ball and ran across the defence before diving between players to cross the line. Hurley adding the additional points.

     Caerphilly gained their try bonus point by the quarter hour mark as both centres Simon Skinner and Nuthall crossed for converted try’s. The home side had to wait until the 35^th minute before another when winger Dan Jones grabbed the first of his brace leaving the home side with a 31-5 lead at half time.

     Coach Bret Davey made 5 changes at half time, and one of those was next on the scoresheet as replacement hooker Rhys Cleverly broke through within 2 minutes of the restart, Hurley again adding the conversion. A second Candy try on 49 minutes was followed quickly with a stupid yellow card for no.8 Josh Williams. This gave the visitors some inspiration as they crossed the whitewash within minutes courtesy of second row Alex Hew, centre John Davies adding the conversion.

     Dan Jones added his second on the hour mark, Hurley adding to his personal tally with 2 more points. Replacement Luke Pearson added to the score with 10 minutes remaining before Llanhilleth added their 3^rd try, the 2^nd by Hew. Caerphilly weren’t finished and Candy completed his hatrick on the stroke of the final whistle with Caerphilly’s 10^th try, Hurley again slotting between the posts.       

     The win and other results meant that Caerphilly finished the midway point at the top of the table with 2 games in hand, a position not held by the club for several years and a good catalyst to maintain the position and push for promotion.

     Elsewhere, the second team travelled to Nelson and narrowly lost their league fixture by 19-11, centre Chris Thomas crossing for a try, whilst outside half Kieron Dymond added 2 penalties. The youth team inflicted a third victory this season over Risca with a 20-3 win, Cyle Powell crossing for a brace of try’s, whilst Liam Waters added 2 conversions and a penalty, Lewys Blakely also adding a penalty of his own.
This weekend Caerphilly will attempt to reach the final 8 of the WRU National Bowl competition in one of their best cup runs for 10 years in a mouth-watering fixture. They welcome well supported Wattstown, currently sitting mid table in the National Division 3 East Central B league to The Contructaquote Stadium, Kick off 2:00pm.