Cup final for Tondu

SILVER BALL SEMI-FINAL TONDU ......................... 12 TREORCHY ................... 7

A DEFENSIVE performance which was second to none won this Silver Ball semi-final for a Tondu side brimming with confidence after being crowned Division 2 West Central champions last week, writes Mike Sully.

The Waterwheelers were never fazed against their higher opposition and from the outset took the game to a Treorchy side lacking in ideas.

The first try came from strong forward pressure resulting in captain Hywel Davies grabbing the ball and crawling over to give the underdogs the lead, Josh Tatchell slotted the conversation to give Tondu an early 7-0 advantage.

Treorchy had plenty of possession in that first half but were unable to breach an astute Tondu defence, then towards the end of the first period the Treorchy backs fumbled the ball in their own half, the ball was collected by Tondu outside half Paul Smithson before releasing to Tatchell who set scrum half Gareth Lindenburn free on a 20 metre break to put wing Matthew Murphy in for a magnificent try.

At half-time Tondu led 12-0.

The second half was almost all Treorchy but it only succeeded in bringing out one of the best defensive performances you will ever see at this level from Tondu.

The Waterwheelers kept their opponents out for 86 minutes even though they had to endure three yellow cards during this hard hitting encounter.

When Garin Daniels did manage to get a try from a push-over scrum, converted by Jorden Lloyd, it was too little too late for the Zebras.

Head coach Matthew Tatchell was full of praise for his team's effort. He said: “What a performance! Commitment and enthusiasm in abundance against this Div 1 winning outfit. We set our stall out early in the game and never looked back.

“It's a well deserved cup final place for the boys.”