THE first significant attack of the match saw Pencoed outside half Gavin Henson work a switch with young centre Llyr Harries who split the Resolven midfield defence, but the final pass at the posts went to ground.
Henson opened the scoring with a penalty goal. The opening quarter saw just the one try-scoring opportunity. The home side continued to press and following a good scrummage, centre Shane Izzat broke through to score, Henson converting. Pencoed soon got their second try, flanker Jamie Burton winning a turnover and the resultant driving maul seeing Rhys Bargery go over, Henson converting again, for a 17-0 lead.
With their first period of sustained pressure and concerted driving play, Resolven got their opening try, no 4 Joel Thomson driven over, with skipper Aaron Lewis converting. Pencoed then saw out a series of scrums to defend their line to go in at the interval with a 17-7 lead.
Early second half home pressure brought its reward, two well-timed passes from Henson and Harries saw Finlay Northrop cross in the corner, Henson adding a fine conversion. Within a minute, Pencoed gained their bonus point try, Bargery bursting into the visitors’ 22 and quickly recycled ball saw skipper Connor Jones go over, Henson converting to lead 31-7.
Then the Neath Valley side were to enjoy their best period of the match, scoring two tries in quick succession from left wing Frazer Thomson and flanker Lewis. Aaron Lewis added the two conversions for the scoreline and match to look a lot different at 31-21.
Pencoed returned to the attack and despite being held up over the line, they were not to be denied. The sublime skills of Henson came to the fore, his delayed long flat pass finding Izzat who needed no second invitation to crash over, Henson converted. The vision of Henson was again apparent in the next home try, a great pass releasing his ‘threes’ for Northrop to get his second try, Henson converting for a 45-21 lead.
Pencoed were now playing with confidence and opening out from deep in their half. Swift hands saw right wing Aaron Burroughs speed over in the corner, the unerring boot of Henson 100% on the day, The closing moments saw Resolven deservedly getting their fourth and bonus point try for a match scoreline of 52-28.
For Pencoe,d young Finlay Northrop was chosen as player of the match. For the visitors, none did better than their skipper and back row forward Aaron Lewis.
On Saturday, Pencoed host Maesteg Celtic in the Admiral Division Two West Central league, 2.30pm k.o.
Match report: TR
Tondu 3rds 47, Pencoed ‘Rams 10
Pencoed skipper Tom Daniel commented this was a match played in good spirit throughout.
It was fairly predictable that the more youthful Tondu side would pull away on the scoreboard as the match progressed, However Pencoed came out firing in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, scoring two tries. The first, with play going from right to left, saw the evergreen ‘Dai’ Baynham cross to the delight of his team mates. Their second try, following a set piece, saw Liam Griffiths slicing through to feed the supporting Max Phillips for a deserved score. Young and old filled the Pencoed players of the match with Max Phillips and David Baynhm given the honours. The next scheduled East Conference fixture for the ‘Rams’ is Cambrian Welfare at home on 15th February.
TR
.
- Pencoed tangled up by ‘Seaweeds’
- Sofia so good for Barry’s Alfie
- Pencoed RFC survive fightback for home win
⭐ All of our social media in one handy place – here
Pencoed tangled up by ‘Seaweeds’
Primary school’s former deputy head is banned from teaching
I make no apologies for calling Plaid Cymru ‘separatists’
‘The importance of participation and continued learning’
Opposition leaders clash with First Minister over independence rally
How Kevin saved a stranger’s life
