BEFORE the kick-off, the large crowd and both teams observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Pencoed player Rhys Watkins. Rhys was a talented player from a family of rugby renown.
The opening moments saw Xavier Manasatava open the scoring for Pyle with a penalty goal. Pencoed, after a period of Pyle possession, went on the attack and sustained pressure in the visitors’ 22 saw No 8 Ashley Bissett drive over.
Soon after, Pencoed turned down two point-blank range penalty opportunities, their decisions justified with Bissett going over for his second try. Pencoed increased their lead with a superb try, outside half Jack Bevan sending out a long flat pass to release his three-quarters and good inter-passing between left wing Llew Gibbons and full back Sion Clarke saw Clarke race over, Bevan adding a fine conversion from wide out.
Pyle then came back to pressure the home line, Clarke making a try-saving tackle. Pyle were not to be denied however, with John Fulton crashing over. Eoin Howells added the extras to reduce the deficit to 17-8 at the interval.
At the start of the second half, a Brandon Mullen interception stretched the Pencoed lead, Mullen racing away from around halfway to score with Bevan converting. Pencoed then picked up a yellow card and, with Pyle enjoying a lot of possession at this juncture, the home side defended resolutely .
The visitors’ injury woes continued, losing their third player in this manner. Pencoed scrum half replacement Tom Daniel soon made his presence felt, intercepting to gleefully dive over. Adam Williams converted to seal a bonus point victory.
For Pencoed, up front Lewis Bowen, Bissett, Tom Geere and Josh Richards were prominent, with Bevan controlling matters well from No 10. For Pyle front row forwards Dylan Thomas and Craig Keadwell were always ready and eager to take the game to Pencoed.
On Saturday, Pencoed travel to Maesteg Celtic in the WRU Division Two West Central League.
Match Report TR
Photos by Julie Hancock (https://juliehancock.org)
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