Fixtures / Results 15-16

Match Reports – Click here

Match Reports

Sat 29th August 2015

Reports by Mark Ring.

1st XV

Mountain Ash (Home)

Lost 21-26

Once again coaches bemoaned lack of fitness contributing to the loss.

Team led 14-0 with 2 brilliant team scores from a set play from ‘off the top’ line ball provided by the excellent Kris Barry and good build up play through the phases, both scores clinically finish by Phillip Pariyo and a fit again James Morris.

Club welcomed back former prop Josh Burridge from St Albans and ex Youth Winger Jack Huntley who had become disillusioned with the game and had turned to football!  It was good to see (Scrum Half) Lewis Dawes who has not been seen since the last game of last season and greeted new signing Stuart Griffiths from Bridgend Athletic, who’d been training with Merthyr RFC (Centre) who on this evidence will be the ideal replacement for the loss of Josh Kelly who has moved away to London.

Another former Youth Player, James Dunne (2nd Row) did well throughout.

A couple of late withdrawals Jack Smith (Hamstring) and George Cook (Work) cause a re-shuffle with David Mitchell switching from Fly Half to No 8.

2nd/3rd XV Combined

Caerau Ely (Home)

Lost 0-47

A combined 2nd/3rd XV enjoyed a tough work out against a Caerau Ely XV, who have returning players from Glamorgan Wanderers. These players have strengthened their squad both from a training and playing perspective.

Despite a plucky performance, our lads had to concede to a well organised group but stuck in there with good commitment to the end, particularly at the set-piece. All were pleased with the run out, which will have done the lads the world of good in the Heart & lungs department.

Sat 22nd August 2015

1st XV

Report by Mark Ring.

3 X 30 mins v Dunvant (away)

Lost 17-33

Leading after 1 hour (2 x 30 min periods) 17-14 and just 2 points behind with 5 mins remaining (in the final 30 min period) the lads conceded 2 late tries when lack of fitness due to poor numbers during pre-season took it’s toll.

Positives……. excellent performances from youngsters Aaron Chiplin (at Loose Head Prop) and Ryan Farrah (Wing Forward). Solid display from Dave Barry (Centre) who played his first competitive match for 11 years! Re-emergence of Back Rower Jack Smith, with a powerful display and the successful experiment of former Latvian International (2nd Row) Arturs Kozels, in the No 8 position

Also new signing Luke O’Brien (Scrum Half) was excellent throughout