Wattstown were bitterly disappointed to lose this tense ASDA league division 6 match with the very last kick of the game in controversial circumstances, having dominated the match from start to finish. However, they should have had the game sewn up long before the end, and will need to look at what went wrong in training this week.

The ‘town started off strongly, with good early pressure resulting in two pens converted by flyhalf Mike Tinson, who had a fine match with his place kicking. Their ascendancy was rocked though with the Cardiff side’s first meaningful attack of the afternoon, which resulted in a good score out wide. They further reduced the Rhondda side’s lead to one point with a well struck penalty, before number Brett O'Hagan crashed over with the whole pack in support. Tinson converted to give the ‘town a comfortable lead, before the hosts replied with another five pointer on the stroke of halftime.

The visitors stretched ahead with a third Tinson pen, but yet again were pegged back with another Llanrumney try. The seesaw nature of the game was reflected in the fact that the Cardiff side scored their third try, which was soon followed by a successful penalty kick, giving them the lead for the first time. That man Tinson recovered the lead with his fourth pen on 77 minutes, and this looked enough to have given the visitors the win they deserved, but then came that controversial last kick of the game. The referee had indicated that a Wattstown scrum would be the last play of the match, but then decided that there was time for another lineout. The hosts drove for the posts, but the ball was held up by openside Craig Waite, who was inexplicably penalised by the referee.

Up stepped the Llanrumney kicker to slot the ball between the posts with 88 minutes on the clock, to gain a very fortuitous win for the home side. Chairman Mark Leyshon was not impressed with the decision, but reflected that the Rhondda side should have done enough to have won before then: ”We dominated the match from start to finish, and but for some lapses in our tackling and line kicking, would have won at a canter. Again, we attempted to play our way out of trouble, instead of looking for field position, and must improve this aspect of our play if we are to turn our narrow defeats into wins.”

On Saturday the ‘town travel to Cardiff Saracens in the National Cup, with a 2 pm kick off.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This was a very useful workout for the squad players who took the opportunity to remind the coaches that there is a fair amount of depth to the playing pool at Wattstown this season. It was also an opportunity to try various combinations out, and will give further food for thought in selection meetings.

The result was never in doubt in this match, with first team captain Matthew Davies, playing at number 8, opening the scoring early on. Promising new wing Jay Phillips was next on the scoresheet and continues to impress every game. He certainly has an eye for the try line, and has the attributes to become a real success at his new sport. Another player to impress was centre Kris Westren, who had a fine match. He added a third towards the end of the first half, and with Mike Tinson adding two conversions, the ‘town were home and dry.

Coach Bob Davies rang the changes for the second half, but the ‘town continued to dominate. Replacement flyhalf Mike Evans, fresh from a stint in Afghanistan, showed the visiting defence a clean pair of heels to complete the try scoring, with the outstanding Dano Roberts adding the conversion.

Team Manager Ryan Romans was understandably pleased with the performance: “We needed to give our squad players a run out, and a number of them put their hands up today. Hopefully, we’ll be able to get our Seconds playing regularly, and all interested players are urged to turn up for training on Tuesday and Thursdays.”

On Saturday the ‘town face their toughest challenge of the season when they travel to Bryncethin.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wattstown’s first home game of the new League Division Six ended in disappointment when they lost an exciting duel against old foes Glyncoch. This was a game that the Rhondda lost, rather than the Pontypridd side winning, as the ‘town simply did not make the most of the opportunities that came their way, whereas the visitors took their limited chances expertly.

It was Glyncoch who started the more brightly, with fullback Lee Goddard slotting two early penalties to justify their pressure. His opposite number Mike Tinson cut the deficit with a deserved three pointer, but the hosts spurned several kickable pens in favour of going for tries, when with hindsight, they may have been better suited to the more pragmatic approach. The hosts continued to exert intense pressure, particularly up front, with the visitors reduced to fourteen men for persistent infringement. Nevertheless, they were able to score two unanswered scores before player coach Berwyn Phillips cut the lead with a fine effort which was converted by Tinson

With the home side well on top the Pontypridd side lost a second player to the bin, and there looked to be only one winner. The game though turned on a controversial decision when number 8 Lee Griffiths was penalised for not releasing the ball following a scrum five. Glyncoch cleared their lines and promptly went up the other end of the pitch to score the decisive try.

Captain Matthew Davies was understandably disappointed:” We did enough to win this game, but poor execution and wrong options cost us dear. We have to start with more purpose and maintain this for the whole eighty minutes if we are to achieve anything this season. I’m sure that we’re capable of better and will look to put it right in our next home game against Ystradowen a week Saturday.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

This first ever W.R.U. League encounter between these old rivals proved to be a fine game of rugby and advert for the newly formed Division 6 Central League comprised entirely of W.D.R.U. sides.

As was to be expected, this was a very physical encounter, with both sides holding nothing back in the opening exchanges. It was the Fach side who scored the first try when new winger Jason Phillips touched down. Phillips looks to be a real find, and had a fine debut. Another to catch the eye was centre Dai Gibbs, who continues to impress with his committed style of play. Cam added another penalty to their opening effort, before Mike Tinson extended the visitors lead with a penalty.

The second half saw the hosts step up a gear, and they scored three tries in succession, although two of these were questionable. Tinson scored a fine individual effort, but the mid Rhondda side held on for a deserved win. Coach Bob Davies was satisfied with the effort put in by his new charges:”I cannot fault the boys’ commitment, both today and in training. We were a little bit rusty and naïve in particular aspects of our game, but the return of several keys players should help to bolster what is already a strong squad.”

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Wattstown warmed up for their League campaign with a fine win over Division 5 side Dinas Powys. Scorers – Matthew Davies and Dai Gibbs, tries; Dai Gibbs – pen