Match Reports 2010/11
Llantrisant (36) Tredegar (33)
Oct 9th 2010
Something had to give at the top of Division 2 with both Llantrisant and Tredegar boasting five wins from five but it was the black army who won this ding dong of a battle.
In an exciting first half when the lead changed hands 3 times the powerful host pack stopped Tredegar from winning any ball and the precision kicking of their outside half, Delme King, continually pegged Tredegar back with King crowning his performance with a 21 point haul.
However living off scraps Tredegar hit back with a first half try by the ebullient Tom McPherson and Dan Haymond's boot saw it all square at 13 points apiece. Llantrisant's much heavier and experienced pack exerted more pressure and Tredegar could not handle their pick and drive game and despite defending gallantly conceeded 7 points
Tredegar gave a first start to Scottish rugby league international D Pulling and with captain Rhys Hallett playing on the wing instead of his customary scrum half position Tredegar were a little indecisive and too slow at the base of the scrum.
Tredegar's battle plan came unstuck with three players yellow carded giving numbers advantage to the hosts but it was Tredegar who played the entertaining rugby scoring tries by Dan Haymond and Craig Lloyd
and with just three points separating the sides Tredegar could well have secured the away win.
However with the black army reinforcing their pack with some very big men Tredegar were once again under the cosh and despite some heroic defense and tackling Llantrisant extended their lead to thirty six points.
Tredegar's fourth try by Ron Kynes and Haymond's try, three penalities and two conversions saw him add another eighteen points to his personal tally so far this season and the visitors added two bonus points to still keep them in contention at the top of the division
A win for Mountain Ash sees them replace Tredegar at the top of the division and on Saturday Tredegar face Penallta away.