Pencoed claim the spoils in thriller

PENCOED .................... 48 ABERAVON GREEN STARS ........................... 20

AS the scoreline suggests, this was a thoroughly entertaining Division 2 West Central match at the Recreation Ground.

Pencoed took the lead with a sweeping attack from their threequarters instigated from their own half, blindside wing Ryan Russell breaking centre field before a well timed pass saw left wing David Young apply the finish wide out, Jake Lloyd adding a fine conversion.

Green Stars then cut the deficit with a penalty goal from full back Aaron Davies. Lloyd soon restored the home lead with a penalty before the home “threes” again handled well to put width on the attack and Rhys Thomas in the outside centre position dummied through from 35 metres out to score, Lloyd adding the extras and the home side led 17-3.

The visitors then enjoyed a period of pressure in the home 22 and got their reward with Keiron Mattocks driving over, Davies adding the extras. Pencoed hit back immediately, centre Lloyd Bargery breaking the attempted tackle of his op- posite number and racing in unopposed from the 22 metre mark, Lloyd converted.

The Green Stars were to have the last say before the break however, Mattocks driving across for his second try to reduce the Pencoed lead to 24-15 at the interval.

It was not long into the second half however before Pencoed secured the bonus-point try, handling well to put Russell in possession and the young wing used his pace to race away from his own half, Lloyd converted. The home side soon increased their lead to put the match beyond their visitors, scrum half Rhys Clarke breaking away from around half way before transferring to supporting full back Tom Cross who ran in diagonally away from the close pursuit of the desperate visitors cover. Thomas then did well to play himself out of trouble when isolated in his own 22 and repel a dangerous visitors raid.

Pencoed then got their sixth try, youth flanker Jack Thompson getting reward for his support work by racing away from 40 metres out and beating the final defender to score at the posts, youth team mate Lloyd adding the extras.

The Green Star then got a deserved third try from Richard Evans but it was the home side who were to have the final say, a brief cameo appearance in the final minutes from coach Aeron Halse saw him use his cosiderable experience and athleticism to stretch over for the touchdown.

This was a fine allround team performance from the home side, full of running rugby with several man of the match contenders, however the all round match contribution of youth player Dan Watkins deservedly took the accolade.

Pencoed will return to league action at Cwmavon on March 4, ko 2.30pm.