Match Reports 2007/8
Tredegar (25) Penallta (7)
Saturday March 1st. 2008
Tredegar defeated league leaders Penallta in a hard fought St Davis’s Day tussle with hatrick hero, Stuart Jarman stopping the league leaders in their tracks at the recreation ground With Penallta needing points to secure promotion, Tredegar’s need to stave off relegation proved to be the deciding factor.
From the off the Tredegar forwards never took a backward step and the stats show that the visitors never threatened to trouble the home team. In blustery conditions Tredegar played with the advantage of the wind and fly half Greg Jones used the elements to perfection. 2 penalties from Jones saw Tredegar lead 6 nil and when Daniel Davies cut through on the wing a high tackle deprived the winger of a certain touchdown only for the offender to get yellow carded.
With their tails up Tredegar took the game to the league leaders and Stuart Jarman barged over to claim the first of his 3 tries. Greg Jones conversion saw Tredegar lead 13 points to nil and full back Daniel Morris combined well with his winger Davies, both solid in defense but deadly in attack.
If Stuart Jarman was inspirational in the pack, David Davies in the centre majestically dictated play in midfield and if Jarman was not the main ball carrier up front the veteran threequarter took the ball forward at every opportunity in midfield.
Penallta could not cope with the front row dominance of Atwill, Edwards and Osborne and with Dawson and Noble providing the platform in the boiler-house the visitors could never gain parity. Steve Knight and Joe Campbell bossed the breakdown while the irrepressible Stuart Jarman putting in a man of the match performance to score another two tries completing his hatrick.
When replacements Paul Douglas and Ryan Williams entered the fray, Tredegar kept up the pressure but Penallta broke away in the dying minutes to score a consolation try to break their duck. With 15 points from Jarman and 10 from the boot of number 10 Jones Tredegar thoroughly deserved victory and can take great comfort from this comprehensive victory over the league leaders.
Tredegar’s next game is away against Newport High School Old Boys and look forward to this fixture with great confidence.