Match Info
* Not to be missed .... The opening game of The Premier Welsh Conference League on May 19th. TIGERS v BRIDGEND BLUE BULLS Home at Pontypool United, 2.30 Kick Off *
Match reports from our Tigers correspondent in the field, Rooster Jenkins
Titans Trounce Toothless Tigers
A weakened Tigers side faced local rivals, Newport Titans, for the first time this season hoping to get their season back on track after a narrow loss away to Cardiff the previous week. The first half was a very close fought affair with the Titans taking an early lead and the Tigers finishing the half the stronger, through tries from debutant Rhys Davies, Rob Nash, and Chris Williams, bringing the score to 14-14 at the break.
In the second half the Tigers hoped to capitalize on their strong finish to the first half, but it was the Titans who started better scoring two tries to the Tigers one. In the final half hour the floodgates opened, poor defence around the markers, allied to too many mistakes and penalties caused the Tigers to self distruct. The Titans ripped the Tigers defence to pieces, scoring a further 8 tries to run out very worthy winners 70 -20
Scorers for the Tigers were Rhys Davies, Rob Nash, Chris Williams, and Jesse Farthing with one try each, Scott Bessant added 2 conversions. Tigers coach Gareth Davies will have his work cut out this week to raise players morale for next weeks away game to Valley Cougars
Man of the Match - Scott Bessant
Tigers crack in the Capital
In only their 2nd. game of the season Torfean Tigers faced a very stiff challenge away to Cardiff Demons who were unbeaten in their first 3 games. This was always going to be a tough match and what ensued was a nail-biting, nip and tuck game of epic proportions.
Tigers stated extremely well when prop Steve Mayley cut a sublime angle through the Demons defence to score under the posts after only 5 minutes of play. This caused the Demons to come back strongly, their big forwards pounded the Tigers defence, some taking 3 or 4 defenders to stop. This created huge gaps in the Tigers defensive line, and forced errors from the Tigers which resulted in a number penalties allowing Demons to stay camped in the Tigers half. With continual use of this battering ram tactic, the Demons eventually broke the defence, scoring 3 good tries in the first half.
Trailing 16-8 at the break, most Tigers supporters thought that the writing was on the wall but the Tigers had other ideas. The Tigers tightened their defence and gave the Demons a taste of their own medicine, with forwards and backs pummelling the Demons defence. A powerful run by Steve Mayley propelled the Tigers up field and a quick play of the ball resulted in skipper, Jason Hill, crashing over. The tigers tails were now up and within minutes,following some fine handling, stand off Richard Jenkins dived over for another. Both tries were converted by Mathew Entwistle, who also kicked a penalty to take the Tigers into the lead. Earlier in the 2nd half the Demons had scored a try and kicked a drop goal to stay in touch with the Tigers, but going into the last five minutes the Tigers led 22-21, and it looked as though they had done enough. With the Tigers again attacking deep in the Demons half, from the turn over, the Demons gained good field position and disaster struck. Penalised for a high tackle, the Tigers conceded a penalty which the Demons gratefully kicked to win 23-22.
Tigers scorers were Steve Mayley, Jason Hill, Richard Jenkins, all with 1 try each, and Mathew Entwistle with 3 conversions and a penalty.
Played in extremely hot conditions, both sides gave their all in what will probably be the most physical contest either side will face this season. For the Tigers this had been an encounter which they lost primarily through their own high penalty count, but that was mainly due to a lack of games this season. The Tigers have their 1st Home game next Saturday aginst local rivals Newport Titans, and with a 2:30 kick off at Pontypool United, this again promises to be a very physical encounter !
Man of the Match - Damien " Ding-Dong" Smith
Tigers bash Bulldogs
Torfaen Tigers kicked off the 2006 season in impressive style with an away win over new league side Blackwood bulldogs.
The Tigers showed they were in no mood for an upset and started very strongly, scoring a try with their first possession of the ball through player coach Gareth Davies. Giving the Bulldogs no time to settle, the Tigers ripped the Bulldogs defence appart with strong runs by forwards Chris Williams and Captain Steve Mayley, ably supported with some excellent scooting runs from wingers Damien smith and Craig Jones. This opened opened the floodgates for the Tigers, and with their own defence being immense, The Bulldogs found themselves with real problems and went into the break trailing by 38 points to nil.
The second half continued in very much the same vein as the first, lose forward Mathew Entwistle crossed for his hat trick and debutant Owen Mayers ran in an 80 metre interception try.
With the need to blood new players, Tigers now took the opportunity to make a number of changes which together with the extreme heat slowed the pace of the game. However a spirited Bulldogs never gave up but the Tigers defence remained watertight, and it was only in the final quarter when The Tigers were reduced to 11 men that the Bulldogs managed to cross for 2 well worked trys. Giving a final score of 54-10 to Torfaen Tigers.
Try Scorers for The Tigers were: Gareth davies 2, Damien Smith 2, Steve Mayley, Mathew Francome-Ross, Owen Mayers one try each and Mathew Entwistle 3 tries and 7 conversions.
Man of the Match - Chris " Larry " Williams