WEST CENTRAL
CWMGORS ................... 20 PENCOED .................... 23
PENCOED started brightly enough and following concerted pressure James Tredray managed to force his way over on 8 mins. The conversion failed.
Cwmgors then started to enjoy some territorial advantage and this was rewarded with a successful penalty on 18 mins. Pencoed went back on the attack and on a couple of occasions, spurned the chance to kick at goal, instead opting to kick to touch. The tactic worked well on 20 mins when a driving maul from a line out take forced captain Kieron Moore over the line. Rhys Clarke added the extras. Cwmgors kept themselves in the game by kicking a second successful penalty on 28 mins. On 34 mins Pencoed put everything in place resulting in Shane Izatt putting Jamie Dyer clear who scampered over to score wide out. The conversion failed. A minute before half-time the referee adjudged that Pencoed No 13 deliberately knocked on when in the act of making a tackle, resulting in Pencoed starting the second half with 14 players and a half time score of 6-17.
Cwmgors didn’t take long to make their numerical advantage count, scoring a fine converted try with a minute of the half gone. Things got worse for Pencoed 1 minute later when a second yellow card was shown to their No 11, again for a deliberate knock-on but again in the act of tackling. Again, Cwmgors were able to take advantage of their superior numbers, scoring a second converted try on 46 mins giving them the lead 20-17. With 15 players back on the field Pencoed were able to put pressure back on Cwmgors. This was rewarded on 58 mins with a successful penalty from Rhys Clarke. With the scores level the final quarter was always going to be tense. The defining moment came when Pencoed were awarded a scrummage on Cwmgors 10m line on 79 mins. Their dominance here throughout the game was evident when they were awarded a penalty. Rhys Clarke stepped up and showing great composure kicked the ball through the middle of the posts. Cwmgors made a mess of the restart allowing Pencoed to opt for a scrummage which they won and kicked the ball to touch to run out winners 20-23.