DIVISION 1 EAST CENTRAL

DOWLAIS ....................... 7 RHIWBINA ................... 21

THE first quarter saw both sides test each other out, but neither side looked like crossing the white wash, then we had a period of aerial ping pong.

The game then settled down and the Squirrels opened their account when scrum half Dafydd Williams sniped over in the corner.

Rhydian Morris adding the extras.

With half-time approaching the Dowlais backs failed to clear their lines, allowing prop Jamie Deabreu to gallop through a gap, and Morris added the easy conversion.

The first half performance by Dowlais was lethargic and lacking in any urgency, and allowing Rhiwbina to take the iniative in every phase of play.

In fairness the second half assesment by the coaches saw Dowlais up their game, and start to look challenging, but chasing the game, they had a purple patch putting the Squirrels on the back foot for a change, and from a scrum on the 5m line forced the Rhiwbina pack in retreat and with the rest of his pack behind him Kyle Prosser was forced over, Steve James adding the awkward conversion.

Dowlais now went for an equalising try which seemed beyond them in the first half, but a yellow card for what the referee deemed a dangerous low tackle, did not help their cause.

With time running out Rhiwbina launched one final attack against a tiring home defence and snatched a losing bonus point from the home team with the Sqirrels third try from flanker Josh Trewartha Morris converting.

The coaches need to work the players this week and prepare them for Saturday’s away cup match against Ystalyfera.

This game will be an early kick off and the coach will leave at 12pm. Supporters whishing to travel please hand your names into the club by Thursday, as there will be limited place.