Brynmawr away 26th April 2008
Brynmawr 34 Croesyceiliog 17
Croesy travelled to league leaders Brynmawr on Saturday. Brynmawr knew that victory would leave them as champions of the league and their supporters before the game thought it would be a foregone conclusion. However, in defeat Croesy put in probably their most determined performance of the season.
Brynmawr began the game strongly as they sought to take advantage of the slope and a generous wind. The first try came after 8 minutes when with the Croesy defence stretched a cross kick gave an easy try for the Brynmawr right wing, which was unconverted. Croesy however hit straight back and on what was their first visit to the Brynmawr 22 forced Brynmawr to concede a penalty for offside following 2 advantages for slowing down play. Matthew Entwistle was successful with the penalty to pull the score back to 5-3. Midway through the half Brynmawr extended their lead taking advantage of a loose kick on the half-way line to run in a good try which was converted to stretch the lead to 12-3.
For the remainder of the half Croesy struggled to get out of their 22, but they gave a huge defensive effort to deny Brynmawr a further score. As half-time approached it looked like Croesy would hold out, but in the 47th minute of the half (the referee was obviously confused between rugby and soccer!)Croesy conceded a third try from a 5 metre scrum off an 8-9-14 move. The try was unconverted. This try probably killed the belief that Croesy felt that they would have had to win the game at 12-3 with the slope and elements in their favour in the second half.
The second half was a more even affair, although Brynmawr scored the first try of the half to secure a bonus point. The try by the left wing was unconverted, even though the referee allowed it to be taken in the wrong place closer to the posts. Croesy hit back immediately forcing Brynmawr to defend frantically on their own line. Brynmawr offended twice on their line but the referee failed to use the yellow card, giving warnings instead. Croesy however eventualy breached the defence with a short range try by Richie Gibbins, well converted by Matthew Entwistle.
At this crucial time with Croesy only 12 points behind and with 20 minutes left the referee gave the Croesy full back David Davies a yellow card for failing to roll away from a tackle on the Brynmawr second-row Damien Hudd.(Divvy is about 11 stone dripping wet and was in more danger of beng squashed by Hudd who is over 18 stone!). What was even more annoying was the total lack of consistency by the referee in his use of the yellow card, as he had failed deal with Brynmawrs indiscretions in a similar manner. Our only hope is that the 3 referees assessors present ensure that he does not referee at our level again.
Any hope that Croesy had disappeared with the yellow card and in the period David was off the pitch two further tries were conceded, one of which was converted. Croesy did not crumble however when it would have been easy to do so and when they were restored to 15 men, hit back again. This time Brynmawr were forced onto the back foot until replacement Jake Nash barged over for a late try converted by Matthew Entwistle.
Brynmawr deserved to win but this game was far from the "thrashing" indicated in the Wales on Sunday, which could not even get the correct score. There was no man of the match for Croesy as the effort was very much that of a team and nobody deserves praise more than the whole team for their effort and commitment.
Croesy have the opportunity now to finish the season off with a victory at home against New Tredegar next Saturday.