GLAMORGAN COUNTY RFC HIGH MOTIVE

SILVER BALL FINAL TONDU ......................... 10 RHYDYFELIN .............. 17

THE weather was perfect for this Silver Ball final and the pitch at the Bridgendford Brewery Field was in prime condition for a top class encounter, writes Mike Sully.

It was Tondu who made the brighter start showing an in-form Rhydyfelin side that they were not just there to make up the numbers when scrum half Gareth Lindenburn jinked over for the game’s opening try after just four minutes.

Josh Tatchell added the conversion to give the Waterwheelers an early 7-0 lead.

That resulted in Rhydyfelin turning up the volume and after a period of strong pressure, it was full back Dai Gratton who finally sailed over for a well worked try.

The same player missed the resulting conversion though to leave Tondu with a narrow advantage.

Now it was Tondu’s turn to up the ante and they extended their lead with a Tatchell penalty on the half-hour mark.

Rhydyfelin finished the half in the ascendancy though with hooker Scott Pritchard crossing to give them a narrow 12-10 half-time lead.

The second period saw both sides with periods of strong pressure but it was Rhydyfelin who were awarded a dubious 57th minute try when referee Ben Whitehouse failed to spot a knock-on in the build up to the Josh Hawk- ins try.

Gratton failed with his conversion attempt to leave Tondu with everything to play for going into the final quarter.

During that last 20 minutes, both sides had chances but it was Tondu who certainly finished the stronger like they’ve been doing all season but unfortunately they just couldn’t find that final pass and a resolute Rhydyfelin defence held firm to the final whistle to lift the Silver Ball title.

Despite coming off second best, Tondu can be proud of their achievements this season, runaway champions of Division 2 West Central having played some wonderful rugby and can now look forward to next season in Division 1 where they will have to be taken seriously.