DIVISION 1 EAST CENTRAL

DOWLAIS ..................... 27 ST JOSEPHS ................ 37

THIS game provided a feast of tries with each side scoring five each, with St Josephs coming out deservedley the winner with their more accurate place-kicking.

The first half was a quiet affair. The visitors opened the scoring with a try in the corner, and two penalties from their No 10. Dowlais replied just on half-time with a try from winger Bleddyn Rees, which made the half-time score 11-5 to the visitors.

The second half was a succession of mistakes from an out of sorts Dow- lais and St Josephs duly obliged and ran amok with slick three-quarter work and quickly built an impressive lead with four more tries and three conversions.

Dowlais now realised what was happening and started to claw back territory and make some inroads on the scoreboard.

Some classy back play saw tremendous tries from Bleddyn Rees his second, Matthew Clyne, and Steve James, but alas no conversions which was to prove costly in the end.

The Dowlais pack were now dominant and their play brought a penalty try ,which was converted by Steve James.

Dowlais were now on the front foot but with the clock winning, they were second best to a very efficient St Josephs team.

On reflection it is not often a team scores five tries and ends up losing, but Dowalis need to get back to normal with a tough encounter on Saturday against Ystrad Rhondda. The bus will be leaving at 12.15pm.