Match Reports 2008/9
Tredegar (24) Ynysybwl (7)
Sept 6th 2008
A new look Tredegar team took the field in the Swalec Division 2 East fielding 5 new players in a Tredegar shirt. Starting with an explosive try in the opening minutes Tredegar looked as if they would swamp the "Bwl" with the pace of Jamie Henthorne catching the visitors defence cold and getting the first touchdown of the season after just 3 minutes play. Greg Jones slotted the conversion and with the visitors on the rack the sure footed Jones added a penalty, being sucessful with his first two shots at goal this season.
Full back Rob Smith carried on where he left off last season and following some clever play by scrum half Matt Taylor used his exceptional pace to round the cover defence and touch down for his first try of the season. The accuracy of Jones boot saw Tredegar race into a 17 point lead and the visitors looked likely to face a huge drubbing. With Tredegar attacking at every opportunity their efforts were hampered by some indicipline when Steve Knight and Ian Evans were both yellow carded for technical offences.
Despite their 2 man superiority, Ynysybwl were unable to break down the home defence and Tredegar weathered the storm to lead 17 points to nil at the break. From the restart another new comer Geraint Evans replaced Joe Campbell and immediately from the restart Matt Taylor putting in a man of the match performance put Smith away seeing him bag his second try of the afternoon and Jones third kick at goal extended the home side's lead by another two points.
Further indiscipline saw Chris Orum spend 10 minutes in the bin and when Geraint Evans retaliated the former Pontypridd flanker's appearance was short lived and he received a red card from the ref. Tredegar then completely let Ynysybwl off the hook and despite blooding Daniel Horseman and Rob James spent the remainder of the game defending. In the closing minutes Ynysybwl crossed the line for a consolation try by A LLoyd converted by Tibbs.
Although Tredegar pulled off a win, the visitors never really threatened and the home team's indiscipline could cost them dear if it is repeated in the more difficult games to follow.
Director of Coaching Robert Johnstone said "Whilst I am pleased to record a win in this opening encounter, we still have a lot of work to do and with discipline improved and the return of our injured players I am sure that this current squad will be a force to reckoned with as the season progresses.
Tredegar are away to Abercynon RFC next Saturday.