Fixture

The Old Firm were well-motivated for this local derby Division 1 East Central game away to near neighbours Abercwmboi. Mount attacked from the off, and after incursions into the home team’s 22 in the first 10 minutes, outside half Jayden Pugh got the first points of the afternoon on the board with a 25 metre penalty.

A tackle by Pugh in the Mount half dislodged the ball which was moved wide quickly to centre Jarrod Cushion who kicked it into space up to the ‘boi 22. Quick following up saw the full back caught, the ball turned over, and the Mount forwards drive up to the home line, where, from a ruck a couple of metres out, scrum half and captain Ross Davies went through a gap in the home defence for Mount’s first try of the game. Pugh judged the conversion well in the tricky, blustery conditions to make it 10-0 after just 12 minutes of play.

The Mount team were putting Abercwmboi under constant pressure all over the field, and a penalty award at a ruck just outside the ‘boi 22 was converted by Pugh to make it 13-0. Shortly after, another penalty after another Mount attack took play deep into the ‘boi 22 was kicked by Pugh to make it 16-0 after 24 minutes.

It was all Mount, and from a scrum on the ‘boi 22, dynamic No.8 Jordan Burke picked up and shrugged off a few tackles before showing great strength to take another couple of would-be tacklers over the line with him to score a great try near the posts, Pugh converting to take the lead up to 23-0.

From a lineout take on the ‘boi 22, the Mount forwards drove to 5 metres out. The ball was moved across the field to the opposite touchline where from a few metres out, centre Steve Brittain took the ball and took a few ‘boi defenders over with him to get the Old Firm’s third try of the half. Pugh converted superbly from the corner to make it 30-0 after 32 minutes.

Right on half time, another scoring chance presented itself but the overlap was not taken.

Although Abercwmboi had use of the strong breeze in the second half, it was Mount who continued scoring, with another try after 5 minutes play. Centre Steve Brittain made inroads to take play up to the ‘boi 22 where the ball was quickly recycled and moved into midfield where flanker Cameron Davies run strongly on a diagonal run over 25 metres, and although tackled near the line, managed to touch down and score the bonus point 4^th try to make it 35-0.

There was plenty of pressure by Abercwmboi in and around the Mount 22 but they were met by a defence that, to a man, was totally committed and determined not to concede a point. Two excellent drives that made ground from a 5 metre scrum by No.8 Burke and hard-working second row Daniel Phillips, and then a clearance kick by scrum half Davies up to the Mount 10 metre line was impressive stuff.

With ‘boi having no time on the ball when they got it, a fumble on halfway by the home team saw centre Steve Brittain get away and hand on to fellow centre Cushion who run in from 35 metres out for Mount’s 5^th try of the game to make it 40-0.

With time almost up, there was no let-up in the Old Firm’s appetite in defence. An interception by second row Jarrad Parfitt deep in the Mount half saw him make it to halfway before being tackled. Quick ruck ball was moved wide by scrum half Morgan Cartwright, Cushion linking with full back Iestyn Robins, who gave to right wing Jack Argyle, who run round for the Old Firm’s 6^th try to make it 45-0.

A good win for the Old Firm. Well done to captain Ross Davies and the Mount team in putting in an 80 minute performance and showing great determination in defence even when the game was won. If the Old Firm stick together, play each game with this attitude, and concentrate on doing the basics well, they can have a good season.

Mount’s next game is on Saturday 28 October in the last 32 of the Division 1 Cup. Unbeaten leaders of Division 1 North, Nant Conwy RFC from North Wales, are the visitors to Duffryn Pennar Park, kick off is 2:30pm.