Tondu win sends them nine points clear
RESOLVEN ..................... 8 TONDU ......................... 13
THIS was a hard fought encounter with the first half largely belonging to the home side, writes Mike Scully.
After four minutes, from a Tondu turnover, Resolven moved the ball through the hands for a prop to charge up the field, offloading to left winger Lewis Knoyle who crossed for an unconverted try.
Minutes later, outside half Owen Evans increased the lead with a penalty before Josh Tatchell replied with a penalty for Tondu.
Resolven were much the better side during the first half but were unable to breach an astute Tondu defence and it was Tatchell who reduced the lead further with his second penalty to make it 8-6 at half-time.
The second period saw a much improved Tondu with their forwards again setting the foundation for a memorable win, first in defensive mode and then taking the game to a Resolven side that was beginning to tire.
From a five metre lineout, Tondu created a maul from which replacement Adam Harris smashed his way over with 20 minutes left, Tatchell added the extra points from the touchline to put the league leaders into a 13-8 lead.
The final quarter was hard hitting sometimes brutal but Tondu held on to clinch a very important win and these are the type of wins that decide championships.
Tondu are now nine points clear at the top with a huge game against second place Ystradgynlais coming up next at Pandy Park a week Saturday. A win there and in their next outing away to third place Morriston would put the Waterwheel- ers into an unassailable position.