Match Report 16th Sept 2006
Nantymoel 48 Croesyceiliog 8
Croesy's problems began before we even left the clubhouse when once again we were let down by players who failed to turn up. This time it was wing Rhodri Davies and prop Darryl Thomas. As a result of their "no show" and that of several other second teamers we were forced to cancel the second team game against Abergavenny Seconds. This sort of situation cannot be allowed to continue. Either boys want to put the commitment in or they don't and if they don't then I wish they would be up front and tell us instead of keeping everyone guessing and letting the club down.
Despite the re-jigging we went away with a decent enough side including the return of captain Matthew Entwistle, centre partner Scott Copsey and wing John Misljen. It was a scrappy first half but we more than held our own playing up the slope and should have turned round points up. It was 30 minutes before Nantymoel opened the scoring with a penalty. Before that Croesy had a try disallowed for a foot in touch after Misljen gathered a chip ahead and took his man on on the outside. But he just stepped in touch as he passed back inside to Copsey. Misljen had the defence in trouble again after following his own kick ahead and managed to force a scrum five. From the scrum Nantymoel were penalised and a quickly taken penalty enabled Entwistle to force his way over on 35 minutes. His conversion hit the post. Just when it seemed Croesy would take a half-time lead they conceded the ball at the base of a scrum in their own 22 (not for the first time) and Nantymoel eventually went over wide on the left and converted for a 10-5 lead. Deep in first half injury time Entwistle slotted over a penalty to reduce the deficit to 10-8.
No-one could have predicted the total collapse of the Croesy side that happened in the second half. In the first they had the home side in trouble in the scrum, won more than their share of lineouts, looked dangerous behind and generally looked the more complete side. But in the second half, as soon as Nantymoel scored a try in the 48th minute everything went to pieces. We could no longer secure our scrum ball, our passing and handling was abysmal and our defence just went missing altogether. As a result Nantymoel ran in 6 unanswered tries. Questions need to be asked about why this happened and there will be a meeting called in the club in the next few days to try find answers. It is easy to point fingers in all directions but if we are going to get out of this poor run all of us at the club needs to begin by looking at our own contribution and ask "what can I do better". And that counts for everyone who has an interest in turning things around at the club, not just the players who were on the field but also those who weren't there for whatever reason.
The Team was as follows:
David Davies; Ben Cunningham; Scott Copsey; Matthew Entwistle; John Misljen; Allyn Gore; Ritchie Williams; Ryan Thomas; Jamie Edwards; Justin Smith; Mark Smith; Jim Sergeant; Richard Gibbins; Lewis Heward; Andy McDuff.
Replacements (all used): Gareth Cowens; Drew Barber; Carl Taylor; Stuart Fitzgerald.
Scorers: Matthew Entwistle try and penalty.