Llantrisant Away 281006
Llantrisant 30 Croesyceiliog 23
Croesyceiliog put in their best performance of the season against league leaders Llantrisant but it wasn't quite good enough to secure the win. They made a poor start conceding two tries in the first 10 minutes and were always playing catch up from there on. Matthew Entwistle slotted over two penalties to close the gap to 12-6. John Misljen should have closed the gap still further after an excellent run took him to the try line but unfortunately he lost the ball in contact when he looked certain to score. In attrocious conditons it was no surprise when Croesy made a mistake near their own line forcing a scrum 5. After several scrums on their line Croesy were eventually pushed over their line for a home try to leave it 19-6 at half time.
After the break Croesy were first on the score sheet with a try for impressive outside half Gavin Holmes. Llantrisant failed to find touch with a penalty and backs Richard Lewis, Entwistle and Misljen were all involved before Holmes went over in the corner. The home side stretched their lead with a penalty and a try but Croesy pushed them all the way and an Entwistle interception allowed him to cross under the posts and add the conversion. Llantrisant pulled away again with a penalty but Croesy still had more in the tank. Ritchie Williams disrupted a scrum on the Croesy 22 and managed to hack up field. Good chasing enabled Croesy to turn the ball over and new No. 8 Gavin Howells raced up the touch line to score from 40 yards.
This wasn't the win Croesy so desperately need but with commitment like this it will surely not be long coming. Croesy were forced into blooding last season's youth team front row pairing loose head prop Darryl Thomas who played his first game of the season and hooker Simon Jones playing his first senior game. But they, along with another of last season's youth team, second row Tom Price and second row partner Mark Smith helped ensure Croesy won their share of lineout ball and gave the backs a platform. Despite the conditions Holmes at outside half had another assured game and looks to have solved the problem No 10 position. He is growing in confidence by the game, handles well, has a good boot and an eye for a break as well as being an agressive tackler.
For the first time this season there is a glimmer of optimism after this performance. But unless the whole squad keeps working it will count for nothing. There is no league fixture for 3 weeks but Croesy are putting a second team out on Thursday evening at home to Hafodrynys and are looking for a first team fixture the following week.
The Croesy side was:
1. Darryl Thomas (Ryan Thomas 65 mins); 2. Simon Jones; 3. Justin Smith; 4. Tom Price; 5. Mark Smith; 6. Chris Williams (Richard Gibbins); 7. Paul Hicks; 8. Gavin Howells; 9. Ritchie Williams; 10. Gavin Holmes; 11. Stuart Fitzgerald; 12. Matthew Entwistle; 13. Scott Copsey; 14. John Misljen; 15. Richard Lewis.
Subs unused: Jim Sargeant; David Fozdick.