Cwmbran home 7th Feb 2007
The Jack Walker Cup
Croesyceiliog 21 Cwmbran 7
Croesy's forward power was too much for a valiant Cwmbran side to handle as the Cockerels won the Jack Walker Cup for the third consecutive year. In front of a crowd of over 200 it took Croesy until the final 10 minutes to seal the win their forward dominance deserved. The referee awarded an early penalty try after the visitors failed to cope with Croesy's scrum power. But this was the only score of the half and when Cwmbran scrum-half Leigh Tudball burst through a gap the size of a barn door to dive over for an equalizing score midway through the second half the game was thrown into the balance.
This was the trigger for Croesy to step up a gear and when they were awarded a penalty in front of the posts they spurned the opportunity for an easy three points and opted for the scrum. Cwmbran were penalised from the first scrum so Croesy chose a second and this time they held the drive together allowing outstanding No. 8 Tim Hanks to touch down under the sticks. Croesy went straight back on the offensive and when replacement hooker Rob Taylor went over in the corner it was game over.
Cwmbran, flying high in Division 3 East and on the back of a 100-point hammering of Sengenydd, must have crossed the Afon Llwyd with high hopes of a first victory in the annual Jack Walker Challenge. But they will have to wait another year as Croesy belied their position at the foot of Division 2 East to put in their best performance of the season. The Croesy scrummaging, lineout and rucking was reminiscent of Croesy sides from years gone by and must give the club hopes of a move up the league. Whether they can stave off relegation remains to be seen but if they can transfer this sort of form to the league they must be in with a chance.
This improvement in form has come with the return of John Kerry as coach. Whatever it is he does he certainly seems to know how to get the best out of players. The likes of props Justin Smith and Marc Watkins, second row Jim Sergeant and back row Jake Nash seem different players in recent weeks and when you add to that the power of new forwards Rob Taylor and Tim Hanks, the consistency of Richard Gibbins and the enthusiasm of youngsters Tom Price and Simon Jones Croesy suddenly has a pack to be reckoned with.
Behind the scrum it was great to see 2 players at the opposite ends of their careers taking to the field. Andrew Paraskeva, a great favourite at the club for many years with his barnstorming running and try scoring prowess, hung up his boots almost 3 years ago but has been persuaded out of retirement. Last season's youth team centre Shane Williams began his comeback with the final 20 minutes after being out of rugby for almost 18 months after a knee operation. He has worked hard to get back to fitness after a potentially career threatening injury and it is to be hoped that he has an injury free run now to allow him to rediscover the sort of form he was in early last season.
With no rugby this weekend due to the 6 Nations, Croesy return to league action a week on Saturday with a home fixture against league leaders Llantrisant. Llantrisant have a 100% league record this season but Croesy put in one of their best performances against them back in December so this promises to be a tight affair.
Croesy side:
1. Marc Watkins 2. Simon Jones (Rob Taylor 40 mins); 3. Justin Smith; 4. Jim Sergeant; 5. Tom Price; 6. Jake Nash (Paul Fisher 65 mins); 7. Richard Gibbins; 8. Tim Hanks; 9. Richard Williams (60 mins Nathan Powell); 10. Gavin Holmes ( 60 mins Shane Williams); 11. Andrew Paraskeva (John Misljen 40 mins); 12. Matthew Entwistle; Scott Copsey; 14. Stuart Fitzgerald; 15. David Davies (40 mins Matt Hiatt).
Scorers:Tries: Pen try; Tim Hanks; Rob Taylor; cons Matthew Entwistle (3).