Caerphilly 23 Brynmawr 44 (From Campaign Series)

Caerphilly 23 Brynmawr 44

10:42am Monday 4th March 2013 in Sport By Mark Tamplin

Caerphilly 23 Brynmawr 44

CAERPHILLY never got started in this bruising encounter with Brynmawr at Virginia Park on Saturday.

With vital players missing through injury and suspension, the scratch side playing in ideal conditions for running rugby failed to find the form that had seen them reach second in the league at the half way point of the season.

Brynmawr opened the scoring after just 5 minutes, outside half Crandon kicking the first of his 19 point tally before Caerphilly centre Will Worthington converted a penalty awarded just after the restart.

A charged-down clearance kick on 12 minutes gave Brynmawr’s centre M White the first of his two tries, followed by a dancing run from number six Hughes, evading the Caerphilly defence to cross the line, Crandon kicking the conversion for a 3-18 lead. Worthington added another penalty, Caerphilly winning ball again from the re-start, to close the gap.

Caerphilly’s first try came on 33 minutes as Caerphilly broke out of defence. Moving the ball left the home side sucked in the defence before passing wide right and over the rushing cover for full back Vaughan Thomas to force his way over on the right. Worthington was unlucky to strike the post with the conversion attempt.

Down 11-20 at the half way point, the sin binning of right wing Oliver Griffiths 2 minutes before the end of the first half was instrumental in the next Brynmawr try after just 3 minutes of the second half.

Yielding territory and possession, the visitors drew in the Caerphilly defence before moving the ball out right, the extra numbers proving the difference as winger R Jones went over in the corner. A further try by L Jones on 55 minutes extended the lead, Crandon adding the spoils.

A period of pressure from the home side eventually led to a try from hooker Ieuan Pymm. Taking the direct route, Caerphilly set up a series of rucks, flanker Gareth Rice heavily involved in the move on several occasions, before delivering the vital pass from the floor for the hooker to burst through, despite the attention of 2 defenders, Worthington adding the spoils.

A fortunate try on 73 minutes was the end result of a move from deep by the home side. A series of forward moves brought about the sin bin of right wing Jones for persistent offending, before some attacking moves placed the ball in the hands of replacement Damian Corns.

With work to do and a defender on top of him, Corns made for the line, referee Phil Fear and the linesman unsighted, the move happening at pace, for Corns to cross in the left corner, despite completely crossing the side line. Worthington’s kick fell just short, despite having the accuracy, to set up a tense final 7 minutes the home side trailing 23 points to 32.

Chasing the game, Caerphilly left holes in their defence which visitors Brynmawr exploited scoring 2 tries in the final 5 minutes, the first, for White, completing his brace, followed by Crandon’s final 5 points at the death, the conversion just failing to count, and leaving the visitors with a bonus point win at 23-44.