Match Reports 2008/9
Tredegar (29) Gilfach Goch (18)
January 31st 2009
Meeting Gilfach Goch for the first time, Tredegar drew first blood gaining a valuable bonus point, comprehensively defeating the visitors who will look to exact revenge next Saturday when they will play host to the Second Division leaders.
Tredegar's Director of Coaching Robert Johnstone said Tredegar's tries were out of the top draw and with Henthorne & Smith combining at pace few defences could shackle the Tredegar attack. However it was number eight Dave Ford who crossed first after just 5 minutes but a tenth minute penalty from Gareth Walters kept the visitors in the game.
With the Tredegar back line firing on all cylinders outside half Darren Pearce's try was just reward for the number 10's efforts repeatedly breaking the gainline with some audacious breaks. Greg Jones converted to push Tredegar further ahead . With the sheer pace and ability of their threequarters Tredegar scored two exceptional tries with Pearce, Jones, Henthorne and Smith combining well to see the full back notch another two touchdowns taking his seasons tally to 9 so far. With a Greg Jones conversion Tredegar lead 24 points to 3 at the interval
The second half saw a much improved Gilfach Goch who played some good rugby but could not unlock the water tight defence of the home team. On the first occasion Tredegar broke out of defence Jamie Henthorne completely outwitted the covering defenders outpacing and narrowly sidestepping his opposite number to record his 17th try of the season.
With Dawson & Pearce at half back controlling the game Tredegar looked as if they would put the visitors to the sword but their control of the game was disrupted when 4 substitions were made half way through the second half and the disruption allowed the visitors to claw their way back from oblivion and with the yellow carding of replacement scrumhalf Robert James the visitors scored 3 tries but with the clock working against them found the task beyond them.
With a bonus point win Tredegar head the division but cannot afford the ill discipline displayed in each game to achieve their hopes of promotion. The key element must be to cut out the indiscretions from here on in as any future handicaps could well scupper the promotion dream.
Next Saturday Tredegar resume the second of their rubbers away against Gilfach Goch in the Rhondda.