DIVISION 3 WEST
CRYNANT .................... 20 BRIDGEND SPORTS ... 43
HAVING secured promotion last week, the Sports needed a bonus-point win to overtake Porthcawl as league champions and they did it in style.
They started off with pace and fluid running in the threes that was a credit to the team and their coaches.
Good early distribution by fly half Mark Davies and centres Ken Morris and Dan James immediately caused Crynant trouble. When full back Josh Davies gathered the ball deep in the Sports half he linked well with Lee Roderick and he in turn with winger Keith David who scored an unconverted try.
The Sports forwards worked hard for a turnover that allowed Dan James to make an impressive 25 metre run, he stumbled but Lee Roderick was at hand to re-gather the ball and finish off the move with a neat try that Davies converted.
Crynant replied with a penalty. The Sports then are awarded a penalty that Josh Davies easily converted. From the kick off Crynant’s tight forwards again looked impressive as they took a perfect lineout “catch and drive” from 10 metres out and scored a well worked try. When Sports fly half Davies made a good half break it was Josh Davies who was quick into the line to score.
When the Sports attempted another clearance kick to gain field advantage the ball was well gathered by Crynant and their lively back row combined well to run outside the Sports defence to score a unconverted try. With their line in disarray Crynant fell apart as Lee Roderick powerfully ran through them to score his second try.
Crynant showed great resolve when they drove over for a converted try. This spured the Sports to up the tempo. From the kick off Crynant made a hash of securing the ball, and from the following scrum, Gary Punter fed scrum half Callicott. The ball was switched to the blind side and Josh Davies once more entered the line, looking as if he may score but the safer option was to feed Keith David for him to score his second try.
When Crynant gave away a penalty the Sports showed total respect to the home side and elected to kick for goal again, to distance the score line, and Josh Davies made a great strike as we went into the last 10 minutes.
Punter fed Callicott who had full back Josh Davies in support and he scored his second try. The Sports last try came as the back three linked together and it was Roderick who ran in strongly for his third try.
Joint “men of the match” were triple try scorer Roderick and the tackling machine Cory Thomas.
The Sports travel to Baglan next week knowing that the league title is won but they will want to end on a high against the only other side in the league that has beaten Porthcawl.
A special bus for supporters is organised and will leave the Brewery Field at 12.30pm, returning to the club for a celebration and Presentation Evening at 6.30pm.