Bargoed 60 Croesyceiliog 19
23 October 2005
Injuries and unavailability once again wreaked havoc on Croesy's preparation for this match and this was evident in the first 20 minutes when the players seemed totally lacking in any self-belief. By the time they started playing anything like their full capability they were 3 converted tries down. But halfway through the first half the Cockerels applied their first period of sustained pressure and began to realise they could cause the home side problems when they had ball in hand. Both centres Scott Copsey and David Davies carried the ball well as did Chris Williams, converted from blind side to second row for the day. Their hard work paved the way for left wing Will Hamilton to sneak over in the corner but unfortunately he lost control of the ball as he attempted to ground it.
Most of the remainder of the first half was even stevens with a Bargoed penalty the only score. Then, a minute before the break, good off the top lineout ball enabled Davies to slice through the home defence and race away to score a try which Matthew Entwistle converted. Unfortunately this immediately stung Bargoed back into action and they replied with another try in first half injury time.
Croesy's second half was hampered by a series of injuries with both centres and full back Richard Lewis all having to go off. This brought Team Manager John Berrow out of retirement and onto the field as a centre replacement. The home side were well in the ascendancy in the second half and Croesy conceded five further tries. But the Cockerels were determined to make a game of it and kept taking the play to the opposition. The backs were well led by outside half Chris Landry. The former Pontypool and Ebbw Vale man showed his class with brilliant distribution skills nursing his team through and bringing players into the game. Matthew Entwistle, playing in the unusual position of blind side flanker considering he is an outside half cum centre, gave a real captain's performance working tirelessly throughout and was rewarded with a try and a second conversion. His fellow flanker Bobby Pike also had his best game, putting in an enormous number tackles and doing his best to slow down the opposition ball. Stand-in hooker Gareth Cowan also had a good game, always on hand to carry the ball forward and made some useful breaks. Replacement centres Berrow and Stuart Fitzgerald both made excellent breaks as Croesy refused to lie down and eventually Rhodri Davies also grabbed a touch down.
Despite this heavy defeat the Croesy side showed spirit and at times played some of their best rugby. As coach Chris Garrett told them afterwards, there were plenty of positives in this game and the players need to start believing in themselves and not show sides so much respect.