Match Reports 2009/10
Tredegar (35) Newbridge (17)
April 17 th 2010
An inspirational pre match pep talk from Tredegar's veteran hooker Paul Edwards saw the men in red put in an all action display ,running five tries past old adversaries Newbridge who could not cope with Tredegar's fire power.
This five try bonanza saw Tredegar win their seventh game of the season and put any relegation worries firmly behind them.
Playing against a strong wind Tredegar drew first blood when David Ford powered over and with Pierce's first conversion a seven point lead was run up in as many minutes.
With an impressive forward display the Tredegar pack gave their vistors a lesson in scrummaging through the efforts of Dan Evans, Paul Edwards and Nicky Gould.
Ably supported in the powerhouse by Jack Dawson, and young Kristian Smith, the Tredegar back-row with Chris James, David Ford and Joe Campbell, tackling as if his life depended on it, proved to be the difference between the two sides.
However a Ross Coombs try and a penalty and conversion by Dan Ellis saw Newbridge ahead at the interval.
Taking full advantage of the wind in the second half Gary Wilkes' siege gun kicking kept Newbridge on the backfoot and Wilkes put in 60 metre clearance kicks time and time again.
David Ford started the second half scoring with his second try of the day and when Jack Dawson powered over, the Aussie bound second row put Tredegar firmly in the driving seat.
With Tredegar playing simple effective rugby their half backs of Matt Taylor and Darren Pierce combined well to ensure free flowing rugby.
Both home wings Wes Cunliffe and Steve Brown always looked dangerous with Cunliffe adding to his try tally.
Newbridge hit back with an opportunist try from Geraint Langdon but even Ellis conversion made no difference to the end result.
Both centres were immense in defence with Daffyd James bossing the midfield and Matthew Jolly getting Tredegar's bonus point try.
Tredegar's substitutes Darren Hughes and Craig Lloyd added enthusiasm to the team effort with Lloyd particularly unlucky, being denied two try scoring opportunities and when Jordan Williams, Marc Titcombe and Nathan Derby entered the fray Newbridge were well beaten.
Darren Pierce had a good day with the boot slotting five conversions and the discipline instilled by coach Jason Williams saw Tredegar put in an accomplished performance.
Tredegar complete their first division campaign away against Ystrad Rhondda on Saturday and will look to finish the season on a high.