Croesyceiliog 30 Nantymoel 15
1 April 2006
Croesy picked up a vital 30-15 home win to move above fellow strugglers Nantymoel in the league. The Cockerels were forced into a last minute reshuffle with the withdrawal through illness of outside half Chris Landry. Captain Matthew Entwistle moved from centre to 10 with David Davies switching from full back to centre, wing Matt Hiatt moving to full back and the evergreen John Berrow slotting in on the wing.
With the Woodland Road pitch still unplayable as a result of the recent heavy rain the game was switched to the school field which was in perfect condition. Playing into a breeze in the first half Croesy made their intention clear straight from their first touch of the ball, spreading it wide to pacey winger John Misljen who left defenders sprawling as he went on a mazey run from 70 metres out to touch down under the posts. Entwistle slotted the conversion to put Croesy 7-0 up with just 2 minutes gone. However any thoughts that this was going to be an easy win were soon dispelled as Nantymoel made good use of the wind to peg Croesy back in their own 22 for long periods.
After hitting the post with a first attempt the visitors closed the game with a penalty mid way through the half. Croesy were forced to attack from deep and were unlucky not to make more of another long range effort from Misljen who along with Hiatt looked dangerous every time they had ball in hand. But just as it looked as though Croesy would hold onto their first half lead and have wind advantage in the second half Nantmoel finally made their long periods of pressure tell with a 40th minute try which went unconverted.
Croesy soon regathered the lead in the second half following a typical barnstorming burst up the middle from blind side Chris Williams. When he was dragged down just outside the 22 he offloaded to Entwistle who dummied the fullback and touched down under the posts for a try which he duly converted. Entwistle kept the scoreboard ticking over with 2 penalties before the vistors got back into the game with a converted try.
A further Entwistle penalty eased the worries and Croesy continued to look the better side moving the ball wide at every opportunity. With minutes to go Croesy had Nantymoel penned in their 22 and a desperate clearance kick was charged down by the ever alert Anthony Axford who regathered the ball and dived over in the corner. Entwistle converted excellently to give him a personal tally of 20 points and earn a vital 3 points for Croesy which put them above Nantymoel and, crucially, 9 points above the relegation zone.
On Wednesday Croesy face league leaders Bargoed in a rearranged league match at Woodland Road, kick off 7.15.