Fixture

Not great from the Old Firm but a win and four league points. And that is all that matters in league rugby. Throughout the game Mount made basic errors and played with little pattern or structure, especially in the second half.

The ‘bwl went in front after 17 minutes with a nicely struck 38 metre penalty by full back Joseph Williams, who kicked well all afternoon. Mount responded immediately and put an attack together which took play into the home 22. A penalty conceded by the ‘bwl was quickly taken by scrum half and captain Ross Davies who got to 10 metres out. Quick ruck ball was moved into midfield where second row Jarrad Parfitt linked quickly with wing Morgan James who went through the home defence to touch down under the posts. Outside half Jayden Pugh converted to put the Old Firm in front, 7-3.

Shortly after, full back Williams struck another penalty through the posts from near the Mount 10 metre line to make it 7-6.

Again, Mount hit back. Scrappy lineout ball was moved into midfield where centre Cole Nash gave fellow centre Jarrod Cushion a pass in space. He sped through a gap in the home defence, drew the last defender, and gave a perfect pass to full back Iestyn Robins who dived in for a try near the corner. A well-judged conversion was added by Pugh to increase Mount’s lead to 14-6 after 27 minutes.

A player from each side was yellow carded after pushing and shoving after a blatant offside by a ‘bwl player.

A knock-on by Mount from the kick off to the second half saw ‘bwl full back Williams kick his third penalty to keep his side in touch at 14-9 down,

A 20 metre penalty by Mount outside half Pugh rebounded off a post, but the reprieve was short lived as pressure from a 5 metre scrum saw Number 8 Cameron Davies pick up, shrug off a tackler and touch down under the posts. Pugh converted to make it 21-9.

The Old Firm looked set for a bonus point fourth try, but they never really looked like doing it due to a lack of structure to their play and basic errors.

After 50 minutes, for about the only time in the second half, the Mount backline put half a dozen passes together to take play deep into the ‘bwl 22, and then wing Morgan James was put in space but did not use a couple of players outside him.

After 55 minutes, out of the blue, a chip over the Mount defence on halfway and a kick on saw a ‘bwl player and centre Cole Nash compete for the ball over the Mount try line, with the home player being awarded the try and Williams converting with another good kick from wide out, which reduced the Old Firm’s lead to 21-16.

Although taking play up to 5 metres out from the ‘bwl line, a mistimed throw-in and jump, and then a crooked throw-in just about summed up Mount’s performance on the day.

Although making frustrating mistakes, the Mount team never lacked commitment and effort throughout the game, and that was needed in the final few minutes as the ‘bwl took play into the Mount 22 where flanker Daniel Phillips won a crucial penalty at a ruck, and then from a 5 metre lineout in the last minute of play, a ‘bwl forward drive was held up, the referee blowing for full time.

This Saturday, 23 September, the Old Firm welcome Blaenavon to Duffryn Pennar Park for a Division 1 Cup game. Kick off is 2:30pm.