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Machen 24- 10 Caerphilly

A trip east to play our great friends in Machen, this is always a close battle with no quarter asked or given, but always played in great spirit.

Our struggles with injuries continue, I understand the chairman, with the full support of the entire board is looking at getting a new under 16s medical director in, applications are welcome from all….well..apart from Everton naturally.

First half: Machen 19-0 Cae

Cae made a very good start, the squad may be diminished but it is indeed mighty.  Liam wins a turnover on the half way line, he was to get a few today, and we build a strong attack…we are camped on Machens line for five minutes, but can’t get over the whitewash, it’s like watching Wales V Australia back when we couldn’t beat them…

Machen turn the ball over eventually on their own line, counter attack and score, it’s another harsh lesson.

Again we get the better of the game, but can’t score, Big Lew, the Bonnie Prince and Ross the boss are dominating up front, with Lewis running hard with ball in hand.

But,  do you ever get the feeling that deja vu is going to be be happening again?  Machen break, they have a strong team with James Perry showing up well.. the ball goes to their lightening quick winger and they score again..

Machen are really disrupting our line out and as the half goes on we start to struggle to secure ball, Tyler is living off scraps but battling like heck, he’s having his best game in the green and white shirt. Tom and Ry are having their usual blindingly good defensive games, whilst Louis is tackling everything that moves..

Eventually, we lose another line out and this time we are punished as Machen put the ball through their hands superbly to score again.  19-0 at half time is really harsh after a competitive first half, but rugby can be a cruel mistress if you don’t protect your own ball.

Second Half: Machen 24- 10 Cae

The half time oranges do the trick and the boys come out all guns firing for the second half, Machen knock it on at the kick off and Kody puts a lovely kick in to give us possession near the line.   Kai has a good run, Ross takes it forward, before the ball comes to Jack who caps off a fine game to go over for our first try.

Like Red Rum in the 1973 Grand National, Cae have the bit between their teeth now and are really pushing hard, Big Lew makes a superb run, beating several men, the ball comes to Tom who spins a lovely pass out to the Bonnie Prince, Charlie isn’t going to be stopped when he’s near the line and we score our second try.

Alas, just like last week, the huge effort catches up with us,  we tire like Crisp in the 1973 Grand National….

Machen are on top now, Tyler is tacking like a demon around the scrum, but we can only hold on for so long and eventually Machen break through to seal a deserved win, though the score was a bit harsh on us in the end.

Man of the match…..was Tyler for an excellent battling performance, gave everything and didn’t take a backward step all game.