|
Saturday 4th October 2008
BATTLING TILLERY SLIP TO DEFEAT
Croesyceiliog
(11)
18 Abertillery BG
(3)
10
Incessant heavy rain made for a greasy
surface and a slippery ball in this first-ever league
meeting between the sides and it was Croesyceiliog, with
greater ballast up front who were
better suited to the conditions as they ran out winners.
Nevertheless, some individual errors aside, Tillery
acquitted themselves very well especially in the last twenty
minutes when they displayed their customary battling
qualities to almost grab a bonus point that their efforts
warranted.
After an early bout of aerial ping-pong
in which the home side quickly stated their aim to kick
for position, the Green & Whites got into their stride.
Nicky Stevens made a lovely break but was unable to find
support whilst Andrew Mason raced down the wing to send
rangy lock Adam Collins through and he was unlucky to be
held up just short.
Despite the dominance however, Tillery
were unable to get a score and it was against the run of
play that the Cockerels took the lead. A nice break by
their right wing gained them field position deep in
Tillery territory for the first time and burly outside
half, Matthew Entwhistle forced his way over for an unconverted try.
Luke Pegler tormented the home defence
with a lovely box kick into the 22, but again the Tillery
pressure came to nought and Entwhistle punished the visitors
for holding on at the breakdown with a long-range penalty
that he drilled over. He then repeated the act ten minutes
later to open up an eleven-point advantage.
Tillery continued to press but the home
defence held firm before Chris Stevens narrowed the lead
with a well-taken penalty having been unlucky moments
earlier with a similar effort that hit the cross bar.
H-T: 11-3
With the rain worsening and conditions
deteriorating for running rugby, Croesyceiliog brought on
forward replacements that added to their weight advantage
up front. The changes almost brought immediate benefit as
they went over from close range only to be brought back
for an offence.
After that, Tillery's close-quarter
defence was strong as it needed to be and the danger
seemed to be over. However, Entwhistle slipped a tackle on
the 10-metre line to burst through and good handling by
his fellow backs sent the left wing clear for a try that
the pivot converted.
Tillery refused to be cowed though and
for the last twenty minutes they camped in the home half.
Greg Lane and Jonathan Price in particular scrapped hard
for possession and Luke Pegler ripped the ball clear at a
scrum to go over but the referee adjudged somewhat harshly
that he was offside.
Nevertheless, the Tillery pressure told
at last as Miles, moved to outside half, was in support on
the inside to finish off a nice Lee Bowden break. Chris
Stevens drop-kicked the conversion to reduce the deficit
to eight points and Tillery went in hunt of another score
that would at least secure a deserved bonus point. However, it
wasn't to be as the home side kicked themselves out of
difficulty to keep Tillery at bay.
Tillery BG website man of the match: Jonathan Price
Weather: Heavy Rain
Ground conditions: Greasy and slippery
Scorers:
TRY: Miles
CONVERSION: Chris Stevens
PENALTY: Chris Stevens
Abertillery BG
Line-up:
Miles; Penn, N Stevens, C Stevens, Mason; Edwards
(Bowden 65), L.
Pegler; A Pegler (captain) (Berry, 58), J. Rossiter, D. Meredith
(Phelps, 54), Lane, Collins, Penny, (D Rossiter 60), Price,
Collier.
|
