2008-09

Croesy 26 Garndiffaith 10

Croesy supporters might have been forgiven if they had left Woodland Road in disgust after 10 minutes of this league clash against unbeaten leaders Garndiffaith. By then the Garn had already run in 2 tries and the writing looked on the wall for a 50 point drubbing. But those who stayed would have witnessed Croesy turn things around in dramatic fashion and pick up a 4 try bonus point win which moves them above the Garn into second place.

 

The Garn began the game like a runaway train with their pacy backs looking to put the ball wide at every opportunity and before Croesy had got into their stride they were 2 tries down. But they gradually clawed their way back into the game with the pack beginning to dominate the set phases and the backs showing that they could move the ball as well. One such move saw left wing flyer John Misljen outflank the Garn defence to dive over in the corner. Matthew Entwistle who had earlier missed a straight forward penalty,  converted from the touch-line.

 

Entwistle was soon back on the score sheet finishing an excellent backs move from a scrum just inside the Croesy half. Enwistle broke through midfield, linked with centre partner David Davies who fed onto Misljen, who in turn passed back inside for Entwistle to go over. Entwistle again converted to give Croesy an unlikely 14-10 half-time lead.

 

Tim Hanks replaced hard working Bobby Pike in the back row at half-time and shortly after Mark Smith came into the second row for Jim Sergeant. This added experience in the pack soon paid dividends. An excellent chase from a kick ahead by scrum-half Rich Williams earned Croesy a scrum close to the line and the pack did the rest, driving the Garn back over the line and forcing them to concede a penalty try which Entwistle gratefully converted to extend the Croesy lead.

 

This led to a period of intense pressure from the Garn who had no intention of giving up their unbeaten record lightly. They threw everything at Croesy but the defence held firm and as the defensive pressure got greater so the Garn became more ragged. Passes were going to ground as the Croesy backs flew into the tackle area. And with the Croesy forwards steeling Garn lineout ball at will, with Smith and fellow second row Richard Gibbins having huge games, the Garn did not look like getting back into the game.

 

A couple of injuries meant Croesy were forced to reshuffle in the forwards and backs. Hooker Simon Jones was replaced by prop Drew Barker, forcing Gareth Cowen to move from prop to hooker, Barker having probably his best game for the club when coming on.  Outside half Gavin Holmes was replaced by scrum-half Ieuan Wakefield, meaning Entwistle going to outside half, Scott Copsey going from wing to centre and Wakefield to wing. To make matters worse scrum-half Rich Williams was yellow-carded.

 

But none of this could deter Croesy from a famous victory. Having soaked up all the Garn had to give, Croesy went back on the offensive and once again the pack came up trumps with a driving maul which saw No. 8 Jake Nash arise triumphant from a pile of bodies.

 

This was Croesy's best performance of the season and rekindles an outside chance of promotion. Pill Harriers have moved top 4 points ahead of Croesy but Croesy still have to visit Pill. The Garn are a further point behind but have 4 games in hand and must still be favourites for the title.

 

Croesy are back in league action on Friday night when they travel to near neighbours Cwmbran.

 

Croesy side:

1. Gareth Cowen
2. Simon Jones
3. Justin Smith
4. Richard Gibbins
5. Jim Sergeant
6. Bobby Pike
7. Paul Hicks
8. Jake Nash
9. Richard Williams
10. Gavin Holmes
11. John Misljen
12. Matthew Entwistle (Capt.)
13. David Davies
14. Scott Copsey
15. Chris Small

Replacements (all used) 

 

   16.    Drew Barker

 

   17.    Tim Hanks

 

   18.    Mark Smith

 

   19.    Ieuan Wakefield

 

Scorers:

 

Tries - John Misljen, Matthew Entwistle, Jake Nash, penalty try

 

Conversions: Matthew Entwistle (3)