Fixture

The Old Firm got there in the end, but gave their travelling support an anxious last five minutes of this Division 1 Cup game at Bedlinog. The game looked over going into the last few minutes unless something dramatic happened with Mount leading 11-3 – and it most certainly did from a Mount throw-in near the Old Firm’s 10 metre line. Whether the throw-in was misdirected or not, or there was a mix-up in the lineout, a Bedlinog player at the back of the line caught the ball unopposed and burst away through the defence to score a try midway out. The conversion made it 11-10 with the referee confirming there were 4 minutes left. It was careless play by the Old Firm and it should not really have happened.

From the restart, a crunching tackle by flanker Owen Jenkins on a Bedlinog forward saw the ball go forward and Mount get a scrum midway in the Bedlinog half. Once again, whether it was a lack of concentration or not, the Mount pack was shunted off their own ball and a penalty awarded to Bedlinog which was nicely kicked into the Mount 22. All of a sudden, it was “game-on”. But although there were another couple of scrums, the Mount forwards held firm and so did the defence for there to be no further scoring chances for the home team.

The game was played on a lovely, sunny day on an immaculate looking pitch. The Old Firm had the first scoring opportunity after 14 minutes when outside half Callum Hall was unlucky when his penalty shot at goal from 52 metres hit a post. Loose, frantic play in the Mount half saw the home team awarded a penalty which was kicked from 30 metres out for them to lead 3-0 after 21 minutes.

A lineout take by flanker David Richards on the Bedlinog 10 metre line was driven on. Hooker Jarrad Parfitt, prop James Cowdry and centre Alex Hughes also made ground into the Bedlinog 22, but the ball was lost and a promising attack came to nothing. It happened several times during a frustrating first half for the Old Firm with their play lacking continuity due to either poor passing, inaccurate play or knock-ons. Added to these were a penalty count which was far too high, giving the home team easy respite.

A well-directed delicate chip over the Bedlinog defence into the home 22 by scrum half Ross Davies put more pressure on the home team who had to concede a 5 metre scrum. But, crossing in midfield metres out gave Bedlinog a penalty to clear their line. Frustration started to creep into the Old Firm’s play and two pieces of backchat to the referee were punished with 20 metres lost ground.

From midway in the Bedlinog half, a well-timed pass by centre Hughes to fellow centre Cole Nash saw him go through a gap in midfield and it looked as if he may go all the way to the line, but he was tackled 5 metres out. The ball was recycled and moved wide again, but the Bedlinog defence once again held out close-in and were awarded a penalty.

A long, high kick by the home team into the Mount half was caught by full back Iestyn Robins who counter attacked, beat one man and sprinted away down the line to open up Bedlinog. He passed inside to flanker Daniel Phillips who made ground into the home 22. The ball was recycled and moved wide but a wayward long pass saw another scoring chance pass by.

With virtually the last act of the first half, Mount at last got their first points on the board when outside half Callum Hall converted a 20 metre penalty to tie the score at 3-3 at half time.

After both sides cancelled each other to start the second half, the Old Firm went in front in the 57^th minute when centres Hughes and Nash combined for Nash to race through the home midfield, draw the full back and pass to full back Robins who scored a try in the corner to put Mount 8-3 up. In the 66^th minute, outside half Hall converted a 40 metre penalty with a nice strike to make it 11-3, and then a chip over the defence by Hall saw Nash quickly up as Mount looked as if they were getting on top. The home side didn’t see it that way and kept plugging away….and then came the lineout near the Old Firm’s 10 metre line as the game entered its final minutes.

Although a frustrating game for the most part for the Old Firm, there is plenty of promise in the Mount team. Other than the try in the final minutes, the defence held up well and was determined. The penalty count in the first half was far too high and this needs to be cut down. If the Old Firm improve the basics of lineout, scrum, catching and passing along with concentrating for 80+ minutes, they’ll be a much more effective team.

Rhiwbina visit Duffryn Pennar Park this Saturday, 24 September, for a Division 1 East Central game. Mountain Ash 2^nd XV welcome Merthyr 2^nd XV to Caedrawnant, and the Youth are away to Pontypridd Youth in the Cardiff Rugby North division. All games kick off at 2:30pm.