Match Reports 2008/9
Porthcawl (3) v Tredegar (63)
November 15th 2008
Porthcawl conceeded a plethora of tries when they entertained Tredegar in round three of the Swalec Cup.
Tredegar ran in ten tries to overwhelm the seasiders ending their cup dream by putting in a dogged and determined performance. On a heavy pitch in dismal conditions both teams threw caution to the wind and endevoured to play entertaining rugby but the skill level and panache of the division 2 side saw Tredegar progress to the next round.
Jamie Henthorne's pace out wide saw the Tredegar winger get a hat-trick adding to his already impressive try tally but the plaudits deserved to go to the pack where Paul Edwards led from the from the front and Steve Knight did the unglamourous work around the fringes. Joe Campbell foraged all game and whilst Brendan Sullivan was rock solid upfront Jack Dawson put in the hard yards in the loose as well as contributing in the tight.
Outside half Darren Pearce has settled in well and his astute kicking kept the seasiders at bay at all times. Damien Smith's determined running deserved more than his solitary first half try but a workmanlike performance saw Tredegar well ahead at the interval.
To be fair Porthcawl never gave up and scored the first points of the second half through an Aled Davies penalty but when Matthew Taylor forced his way over all the home team could do was to try and stop the flood gates from opening.Jamie Sims joining his bother Wayne in Tredegar colours touched down twice bagging a brace of tries, whilst Rob Smith and Rob James both got on the scoresheet following some deft footwork.
A milestone was reached n Tredegar's long history when replacement hooker, Darren Hughes took the field as the first player to come through the ranks of the Tredegar youth team to represent the senior side.
With Darren Pearce kicking 2 conversions the best try of the game was finished off by Greg Jones who took the ball from a swerving run from Damien Smith and with his touchdown, penalty and 3 conversions added another 14 points to his individual tally.
Tredegar's Director of Coaching Robert Johnston said that whilst he was pleased at the efficient performance of the team in this 3rd round tie, the league was the main priority this season and that all efforts would be made from here on in to secure promotion as well as to go as far as possible in the cup competetion.
Johnston added " So Far So Good ". With no league games scheduled until the first week in December, Tredegar entertain first division Merthyr at the Rec on Friday night.