Mountain Ash 3rd Feb 2007
Mountain Ash 26 Croesyceiliog 7
Croesy stuck largely with the pack that had put up a good showing against Tredegar the week before for this trip to Mountain Ash, with the only change being Paul Hicks coming back in at openside for Paul Fisher. The were 6 changes behind, 4 positional, with only scrum-half Ritchie Williams unaffected. Matthew Entwistle moved from centre to outside half, Stuart Fitzgerald from wing to centre, David Davies from centre to full-back and Matt Hiatt from full-back to wing. Scott Copsey returned to the side at inside centre and Rhodri Davies made his first start in over 2 months on the wing.
Croesy drew the home fixture earlier in the season and with the benefit of a couple good training sessions under returning coach John Kerry, the feeling was good before the game. Croesy made their intentions clear from the start with a very physical approach up front , keeping the ball tight. They had all the possession early on but the home defence held firm. Against the run of play Mountain Ash scored a try, but this did not deter Croesy who went straight back on the attack. They battered away at the hosts line but could not get a score, the set piece letting them down at vital times. Mountain Ash had to resort to giving away a string of penalties and twice within 5 minutes the referee yellow carded the home side. But Croesy could not make the advantage pay and Mountain Ash again broke away to score despite being down to 13.
With the home side back to full numbers a third try followed and Croesy turned around 19-0 down. After the break more poor defending left the Mountain Ash centre one on one with full back Davies who just managed to bring his man down. But inexplicably the referee adjudged that it had been a trip and awarded a penalty try. Croesy had brought Marc Watkins on at half-time and now added Rob Taylor on permit from Pontypool United at hooker. This gave the Croesy scrum more impetus and they started to dominate this area although the lineout still failed to function effectively.
Croesy were completely dominant in the final quarter and eventually managed a consolation score for No. 8 Gavin Howells, converted by Matthew Entwistle.
The introduction of John Kerry at this time of the season and his far more abrasive style of rugby was always going to mean a transitional period. Some of the players who were involved last time he was at the club have reverted back to this style more easily than those for whom it is all new. It was clear some players are still uncertain of their roles both in attack, where players were often isolated and being turned over, and in defence where Mountain Ash seemed to find holes all too easily. But it is early days and this is only to be expected. Despite the defeat Croesy can be pleased with the commitment. They were very close to scoring on numerous occasions and had more than their share of territory and possession.
Attention now turns to Wednesday with Croesy taking on Cwmbran, fresh from their hundred point hammering of Sengenydd on Saturday, in the Jack Walker Cup.
Croesy's side: Anthony Gardner (Marc Watkins 40 mins); Simon Jones (Rob Taylor 55 mins); Justin Smith; Richard Gibbins; Jim Sergeant; Jake Nash (Tom Price 55 mins); Paul Hicks; Gavin Howells; Ritchie Williams; Matthew Entwistle; Matt Hiatt (Gavin Holmes 60 mins); Scott Copsey; Stuart Fitzgerald; Rhodri Davies; David Davies.
Scorers: Try Gavin Howells; conversion Matthew Entwistle.