Fixture

St Josephs RFC | 1st Team 16 - 27 Mountain Ash RFC | 1st Team

Match Report
04 September 2016 / Team News

Old Firm Start Season with Win

Just as last season ended, heavy rain greeted both sides for this first Division 1 East Central League match of the season. The Old Firm got off to a good start, flanker Matthew Dixon catching the kick off which set in motion an attack which was taken through numerous phases and ended with a midfield break by centre Alex Hughes in the hosts’ 22, for him to hand on to prop James Cowdry who powered over from 5 metres out. Wing Will Holley converted to give Mount a 7-0 lead after just 3 minutes. From the restart, another attack resulted in a 20 metre penalty which Holley also converted to make it 10-0. The Old Firm were well on top at this stage and yet another attack saw the ball thrown wide to wing Holley who linked with full back Liam Jones who was forced into touch 15 metres out. St Joseph’s showed what they were capable of in attack with a midfield break near halfway and although it was partially stopped in the Mount 22, the ball was quickly recycled and moved wide for a well taken converted try midway out. After a nasty ankle injury to a St Joseph's player stopped play for five minutes, the home team drew level after 22 minutes with a 25 metre penalty. Although the game was played in heavy rain, it was entertaining with both sides positive in their approach and the referee helping to keep the game flowing. Flanker Liam Attwell and scrum half Ross Davies took a Mount attack into the St Joseph’s half where a penalty award saw Holley convert from 30 metres to restore Mount’s lead to 13-10. It was short lived as a turnover from the restart saw the hosts also get a penalty which was kicked to make it 13-13, which is how it stayed until half time.

After comfortably clearing St Joseph’s first attack of the second half, Mount worked their way upfield into the St Jo’s 22 where they were awarded a penalty which scrum half Davies took quickly. Although tackled, quick ruck ball and another powerful drive by James Cowdry saw the prop touch down for his second try of the afternoon, Holley converting to put the Old Firm 20-13 up after 47 minutes. Full back Liam Jones showed a nice piece of skill and composure to secure a kick though by St Jo’s into the Mount 22 and set up a ruck which was moved to wing Holley who showed a turn of pace to beat one man and race away to start an attack. From a scrum 30 metres out, a well constructed midfield move produced an overlap for St Jo’s but with the Mount line just 10 metres away, covering right wing Sean Williams made a superb cover tackle to stop the home wing from scoring. Although the ball was recycled, pressure from a well organised Mount defence saw a knock-on by the hosts but they were awarded a penalty for offside which was kicked from 10 metres out to make it 20-16 after 52 minutes. That was the last look-in the home side had as the Old Firm dominated territory in the last quarter, courtesy of some good driving play and ball retention. Although suffering a yellow card for a technical offence in the 71st minute, the pressure continued on the home team and ended when outside half Kieron Olden went over near the posts, wing Holley converting once again to make it 27-16 after 75 minutes. The action didn’t end there either as a well placed, high kick out of defence by scrum half Davies was superbly caught by second row Jarrod Parfitt who started another attack which almost led to a fourth try and a bonus point win. Although it was not to be, the Old Firm were deserved winners on the day, with the players from each side contributing to an entertaining game in extremely wet, difficult conditions.

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