PRINCIPALITY PREMIERSHIP EAST

BARGOED 17 CARDIFF 21

BARGOED very nearly pulled off a remarkable victory coming back from a 14-0 deficit after just eight minutes, only to see the win dramatically taken away from them with only two minutes left on the clock.

It looked like it was going to be a long afternoon for the Bulls and their supporters when Cardiff Blues full back Dan Fish crossed after three minutes converted by Gareth Thompson and five minutes later referee Craig Evans deemed that Bargoed stopped a driving maul illegally close to the line and awarded a penalty try, 0-14 after eight minutes. Add to that a brilliant try-saving intervention by Bulls wing Ashley Norton and the home side were on the rack.

However, Bargoed are nothing if not resilient this season and slowly the forwards began to impose themselves with a very strong set piece aided by solid midfield defence. And it was the scrum that provided the platform for Bargoed’s first try. The forwards drove and Cardiff were penalised.

Ian Smerdon kicked to the corner and from the lineout No 8 Ieuan Jones and hooker Leigh Meades combined.

The referee had signalled advantage for another penalty and Smerdon put in a speculative kick to the wing which came to nothing. A scrum was called from the penalty and the Cardiff eight were again under pressure, scrum half Hallet broke and switched back inside where Ieuan Jones was the grateful recipient and he crossed under the posts. Mathew Lewis added the conversion and Bargoed had steadied the ship as the game entered the second quarter with the score 7-14.

Bargoed’s resurgence continued with a Lewis penalty on 31 minutes and the try of the game gave the home side the lead with just three minutes of the half left. Ashley Norton had left his wing to hit the midfield with Bargoed taking possession from a lineout just inside the Cardiff half.