Local rugby
RHIWBINA won’t win the One East Central title this season, but they’ve certainly had a massive say in who will after toppling leaders Treorchy to blow the race wide open again.
The Squirrels’ 20-15 win over the Zebras at Caedelyn Park on Saturday did Ystrad Rhondda a massive favour, with Ystrad’s 19-17 win at Heol y Cyw moving them to within seven points of Treorchy with a game in hand.
Tries from Rory Harries, Jamie DeAbreu and debutant Ben Sharif put Rhiwbina 15-10 up at the break with Jake Lloyd scoring for the visitors, converted by Jordan Lloyd who also booted a penalty.
Aaron Forey raced over for the bonus-point try just after the break, finishing off a cracking team move and, despite another try from Jake Lloyd, the hosts held out for a memorable victory.
“I think the result was a fair reflection,” said Rhiwbina team manager Dai Hobbs.
“We defended magnificently for the last 10 minutes when we were camped in our 22 and it could have gone either way.”
It was a 10th win in their last 11 league games for the third-placed Squirrels, with the only disappointment in that run the 26-0 reverse at Ystrad on March 11 – a result that all but ended their realistic title hopes for this term. Rhiwbina actually lost three of their opening four league matches this season but, as Hobbs explained, results aren’t always the be-all and end-all.
He continued: “Our philosophy is never going to change; our main ambition is to develop players.
“There are a number of Premiership clubs looking at our players which is great for us and shows we’re doing a good job.
“We always pick a side to win every game we play, but we take the pressure off ourselves – we end up where we end up.
“At the end of the day if the league table shows that we’re the strongest team in that division and we get promoted, then that’s where we should be, and if it shows we should stay in the division then that’s where we should be.”
Hobbs picked out skipper and tighthead prop Paul Smith for his ‘magnificent’ displays on the park this season. On the season, Hobbs added: “We had a bad start to the season, but it’s just the same players who are playing now.
“The coaches kept the faith and they’re now executing what’s being asked of them after getting those first couple of wins which breed confidence.
“Other than that shaky start the boys have performed really well.
“Our depth has been tested severely this season, particularly in the last month with so many unavailable, but the boys from the second team have come in and done magnificently well.”
Rhiwbina have three league fixtures remaining, with trips to Llanharan and Heol y Cyw before finishing with a home game against Rumney.
Treorchy, with three games left, have 77 points from their 19 games with Ystrad on 70 from 18 and Rhiwbina 64 from 19.