Fixture

Mountain Ash RFC | 1st Team 22 - 40 Rhydyfelin RFC | 1st Team

Match Report
19 August 2018 / Team News

Old Firm Can Build On This

After their win in the Abercwmboi 7s tournament a fortnight ago, Mountain Ash welcomed Championship club Rhydyfelin to Duffryn Pennar Park for a pre-season friendly. And a good exercise it was for both clubs. The visitors arrived after a 25-0 win away to Division 1 West Central club, Aberavon Quins, last week. They played an open game all afternoon, looking to keep the ball alive and play at pace. They looked slightly ahead of the Old Firm in their pre-season preparations. They were first on the scoresheet with two tries to take a 14-0 lead. The Old Firm hit back just before half time to make it 14-5 at the turnround. Mount upped the game in the first quarter of the second half and took the game to the visitors, dominating play to score two tries and lead 17-14 after 47 minutes. One of them saw wing Steve Brittain race away down the touchline and pass inside to centre Alex Hughes who put in a well-directed grubber kick which beat the defence for flanker Jordan Coxley to touch down near the posts.  Rhydyfelin had not been in the game but five minutes of mishaps for the Old Firm saw the visitors score three quick tries, which gave the score a misleading impression. Agaist the run of play, an interception in midfield saw an easy run in for a try from 40 metres for the visitors’ centre, which was converted to put Rhydyfelin back in front, 21-17. Two further tries came from Mount mistakes with the visitors quicker on the loose ball to race away for two break away tries which took their lead up to 33-17. Although a good cover tackle was made by a Mount defender, a kick on over the try line saw Rhydyfelin score again, but the Old Firm finished off with a well taken try after wing Daniel Cartwright got away down the touchline and a chip over the defence saw him a dncentre David Richards first to the ball, Richards getting the touchdown in the corner.

Final score: Mountain Ash 22 (4 tries - David Richards 2T, Steve Brittain T, Jordan Coxley T) Rhydyfelin 40 (6 tries).

 

This was a useful workout for the Mount squad against a handy looking Rhydyfelin side which finished mid table in The Championship last season. The visitors looked more of a team than Mount which was understandable as they had already played one game together. There’s more to come from the Mount squad which will improve by playing together and getting back into the swing of things. Next Saturday, 25 August, Mount welcome another Championship side to Duffryn Pennar Park and the Rec as Maesteg Quins bring a 1st and 2nd XV for two games. Both kick off at 2:30pm.

 

Mountain Ash Youth have played two warm-up games so far and won both. The first was at home to Newport HSOB and the second away to Abercwmboi. This Saturday, 25 August, the team travels to Newport HSOB for a return friendly. The Mount squad is looking for extra players. If you are interested in playing this season, you are welcome to attend training on a Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30pm start. Just report to the changing rooms under the Stand at Duffryn Pennar Park and ask to speak to one of the four Youth coaches.

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