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What a match and what a season! A year after
experiencing the bitter taste of defeat and
relegation on the final day of the season, the Green
& Whites this time savoured the altogether sweeter
pleasures of victory and promotion in the ultimate
game.
At the final whistle, celebrations on and off the
field were somewhat muted, probably a reflection of
the hugely emotionally-draining 80-odd minute roller
coaster ride that had gone before, not to mention
the season itself.
Tillery got off to a great start with an early try,
but the home side, undoubtedly one of the best teams
Tillery have met in both games this season, stormed
back to lead 19-11 after half-an-hour and looked
likely to deprive Tillery of the bonus point that
would secure promotion.
But this Green & Whites side, full of character,
showed its mettle in drawing level at 19-19 with a
far more controlled game after the break.
However, the season's destiny was thrown again into
doubt as the home side fired over a penalty to lead
with ten minutes remaining leaving Tillery clinging
to a bonus point at that stage
before, with six minutes left, Lee Meredith
benefitted from a tremendous forward drive to score
a try and seal the spoils and promotion for Tillery.
The visitors started in great style as a
charge-down by impressive lock, Adam Morgan set up
Aled Penn for an unconverted try
after five minutes. Moments
later, a clever chip and chase by Morgan
nearly led to a second try
as it appeared Tillery were determined to gain a
four-try bonus point in rapid time.
Then the game took its first huge swing as
a loose kick from Tillery was gathered by the home
left wing in his 22. He set off on a marvellous run
beating several Tillery defenders for a try that was
added to by the conversion on a second attempt as
Tillery were adjudged to have charged early.
Chris Stevens settled the nerves of the
team and the big Tillery following
with two well-struck penalties to restore the lead
at 11-7 before another home counter attack led to a
second converted try.
Tillery were rocked then by a third long-distance
try, this one unconverted, as the game seemed to be
swinging inexorably away
from the Green & Whites
at 19-11 down.
To their credit, Tillery started to regain some of
their earlier composure and upped the tempo, Stevens
first grabbing a third penalty before a forward
drive almost brought Tillery a second try right on
the stroke of half time.
H-T: 19-14
With the wind now in New Tredegar's favour, the
omens did not look good at the start of the final 40
minutes of the season with Tillery just about
clinging to the losing bonus point needed to go up.
But ten minutes in, the scenario changed again as
another surge by the Green & Whites pack generated
some space for skipper Craig Meredith to just
squeeze in at the corner for an unconverted try that
brought the scores level.
The Tillery pack was now on top but they were unable
to create a decisive score and the tension at the
ground was palpable as time ticked away.
With fifteen minutes left, it seemed as if Tillery
made what could have been the decisive breakthrough
when Morgan, enjoying a great game, showed a great
dummy and turn of speed to pierce the home defence.
However, he was hauled down just inches short,
unable to ground the ball, and what might have been
been a joyous moment turned to gloom as the home
side struck with a penalty to take the lead again.
With normal time slipping away, Tillery were still
in losing bonus point range at three points down and
promotion was just about on the cards, albeit
precariously.
Tillery now set up a series of powerful forward
drives and the home pack was forced to concede a
penalty. Stevens found position deep in the home
half with his excellent kick to touch and from the
catch and drive, Lee Meredith was on hand to crash
over for an unconverted try and the lead at 24-22.
Still there was time for the game to change again,
but the Tillery pack held onto possession, counting
the clock down before the referee brought to an end
an extraordinary match and season.
MoM - Adam Morgan
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