2006-07

Pill Harriers 161206

Croesyceiliog 14 Pill Harriers 18

Croesy suffered a disappointing home defeat to near rivals Pill which has left them bottom of the league.  Once again last minute drop-outs meant a re-jigged team.  Hooker Simon Jones was replaced by permit player Ben Parry a Dragons U20s squad player from Pontypool United and second row Tom Price came in for Jim Sergeant.  With only 1 replacement front row forward Croesy could only use 2 substitutues under league rules. 

 

Pill scored a converted try early on and were good value for their lead as their pack dominated.  Ill-discipline from Croesy scrum-half Ritchie Williams, who twice failed to retire 10 metres from quickly taken penalties saw him yellow-carded.  While he was off Pill added a second try and a penalty to give them a 15-0 half-time lead.  On the stroke of half-time Croesy prop Justin Smith was penalised for off-side at a ruck but as the referee awarded Pill the penalty their flanker inexplicably swung a punch at Smith laying him out and resulting in his sending off.

 

Smith was helped off the field but thankfully his injury proved not to be too serious.  This forced Croesy to make a change with Marc Watkins coming on at tight head.  The sending off changed the complexion of the game with the Croesy backs coming to the fore.  Only 3 minutes into the second half a midfield break by wing Matt Hiatt, playing his first league game of the season following a shoulder injury, resulted in prop Ryan Thomas powering over for a try which captain Matthew Entwistle converted.  Croesy added a second converted try shortly after. No 8 Gavin Howells fed scrum-half Williams from a scrum-five and his well-timed pass put outside half Gavin Holmes into a gap and over unopposed.  Entwistle converted again.

 

The Croesy backs looked dangerous whenever they got the ball but the pack were unable to supply sufficient possession as the Pill forwards continued to hold the upper hand.  The game was still in the balance when more indiscipline cost Croesy dear.  Entwistle's instinctive out-stretched arm was deamed a high and dangerous tackle and he was given a yellow card.  To make matters worse Pill converted the resulting penalty to give them a 14-18 win.

 

Croesy side:

1. Ryan Thomas
2. Ben Parry
3. Justin Smith (Marc Watkins 40 mins)
4. Tom Price
5. Richard Gibbins
6. Chris Williams
7. Gavin Howells
8. Jake Nash (Paul Fisher 60 mins)
9. Ritchie Williams
10. Gavin Holmes
11. Matthew Hiatt
12. Matthew Entwistle (Capt.)
13. Scott Copsey
14. John Misljen
15. Morgan Parry

Scorers: Tries Ryan Thomas; Gavin Holmes; conversions Matthew Entwistle (2)