Garndiffaith home 22nd Sept 07
Croesy 22 Garndiffaith 12
Croesy picked up their second successive bonus point win with a four try performance against the Garn. In doing so, Croesy move into third place in the league.
Croesy's first score came from Scott Copsey who has converted from centre to wing this season and seems to be revelling in the extra space he is being given, on this occasion coming off his wing to burst through the middle to score. On the evidence of the games played so far Copsey is going to be an influencial player this season.
The second Croesy score came from centre Shane Williams, another player who has started the season with a bang. Everyone at the club will be hoping he can stay injury free this season after only playing a handful of games over the past two years. Captain and outside-half Matthew Entwistle added the extras to take Croesy 12-0 up at half-time.
Croesy made a slow start to the second half, giving away ball in their own 22 when perhaps they should have been looking to kick for territory. Some poor defence eventually allowed the Garn back into the game with a try before Croesy reasserted some control over proceedings. The Croesy scrum was totally dominant and the lineout was mainly successful. However, the Garn were allowed to get away with murder around the breakdowns and the referee's interpretation of the laws relating to the driving maul served to nullify Croesy's dominance.
Nevertheless, Croesy extended their lead with an opportunist Entwistle try, his fourth of the season, after the Garn wing failed to deal with a kick ahead. But Garn showed why they had gained promotion last season playing some good rugby to get back to 17-12 before openside flanker Bobby Pike made sure of the win and the bonus points with the fourth try.
The win came at a price with injuries to front row pair Justin Smith and his replacement Rob Taylor, although Taylor was able to see the game out. With prop Anthony Gardner already sidelined, Croesy are really struggling in the front row area and will be hoping the injuries prove not to be too serious.
On Saturday Croesy travel to Abergavenny for the first round of the Konica Minolta Welsh Cup.