Monday 15 October 2012

Zebras halt RGC's dream start

RGC 1404’s blistering start to life in Division One East juddered to a halt on Saturday as they were outmuscled 16-8 by a determined Treorchy at the Oval


The North Walians, who have had a tough start to the season with six consecutive away trips, took an early lead through a Rhodri Carlton Jones penalty but some great forward work from the Zebras saw Craig Everett crash over, with Celyn Ashton adding the extras and a penalty to take a 10-3 lead. Despite this, it was the visitors that would have the final say of the half when Llywrach ap Myrddin made a great break from his own 22 and outpace the cover defence to touchdown in the corner.
With conditions worsening after the interval, it became a war of attrition with the hosts prevailing in grinding out the hard yards and getting the better of the breakdown, with Ashton on target with two more penalties as the visitors ran out of steam.
Leaders Ystrad Rhondda proved what they could do if they keep all 15 players on the pitch as they demolished Penallta 59-0.
Ystrad helped themselves to nine tries through braces from Carl Facey and Bleddyn Davies, and touchdowns from Nathan Hughes, David Gratton, Alex Webber, Gerwyn Davies and Chris Clayton - Rhys Truelove on target to convert seven of these - as the Pitmen had no answer to the hosts' incisive back play. 
Meanwhile, Gilfach Goch heaped more woe on struggling Tredegar with a 50-5 battering.
Tredegar had to call passive scrums before the match and subsequently were unable to use replacements, losing three players to injuries before the interval. Gowch understandably made light work of their opposition, scoring at will to run in seven tries through Greg Roberts (2), Craig Davies, Scott Purnell, Chris Martenko, Nathan Walters and Brad Morgan.
Elsewhere, Rhydyfelin moved up to third with a bonus point 27-7 home win over Ynysybwl at the Rec.
The hosts' Kevin Briggs grabbed a double, while Gavin Close, Lloyd Peart and Ross Lucas also crossed the whitewash.
In the day's other fixtures, Heol y Cyw out-muscled Merthyr 10-3, with Adam O’Driscoll getting the only try of the match for the Cockerels in a low scoring encounter, and Rumney ran in five tries as they saw off Mountain Ash 29-12, Michael Fenwick starring for Rumney with a try double.

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