CENTRAL B
BRIDGEND SPORTS ... 71 BRYNCETHIN ................ 5
BRYNCETHIN struggled to field a full specialist front row so this match was played with uncontested scrums from the outset.
The Sports were far too good in all departments and ran in tries at regular intervals.
First-half tries were scored by Callum Griffiths (3), Josh Davies and Tony Millington with Josh Davies adding three con- versions to make it 31-0 at the interval.
Dan James, Ken Morris, Darren Lewis, Scott Caldicott, Adam Gant and Greg Thomas crossed in the second half and Josh Davies converted five.
Player/coach David Thomas got a consolation try for Bryncethin.
YNYSDDU LADIES ....... 5 PENCOED PHOENIX .... 5
THIS National League division 1 match was a hard fought encounter from start to finish.
Phoenix enjoyed territorial advantage for most of the first half and their dominant scrum against the much bigger home pack kept them on the front foot for most of this period, unfortunately the several chances created particularly in the opening quarter were not capitalised upon.
Experienced Phoenix forwards Natalie O’Shea, Lowri O’Raw and Amy Stevens were at the vanguard of the Phoenix pack effort no doubt conscious of the emergent eligible Phoenix 18s age group players around them, with scrum half Rhianydd Morgan her usual competitive self at their heels. Nevertheless despite the efforts of both teams the score remained blank at the break.
With a now slight breeze at their backs Phoenix continued to get the better of exchanges and following sustained driving play from their pack combative hooker O’Shea drove over in determined manner.
Phoenix continued to press, unfortunately unable to take advantage of clear line breaks from Rachel Jones and young Caitlin Smith.
The home side were gradually coming more into the match following a number of replacements and going into the final 10 minutes levelled the match.
Phoenix picked up a yellow card and for the first time in the match a defeat looked possible.
Ynysddu sensed victory in the closing minutes but a superb defensive effort from the depleted Phoenix number kept them out, this allied to a point blank range penalty miss from the home side in the final minute.
Phoenix will reflect on a match they dominated for lengthy spells, particularly at the scrum, and on the balance of play over the eighty minutes should have won.