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Saturday 13th September 2008
TILLERY YOUNGSTERS SHOW THE
WAY
Abertillery BG
(15)
22
Gwernyfed
(13)
19
A Nicky Stevens try just over midway
through the second half gave Tillery a winning start to
their campaign in Division Three East. These sides have
developed a healthy rivalry and respect during their
successful promotions in the last two seasons with some
memorable matches. This game didn't quite match the
standards of those epic encounters but it was a highly
entertaining affair played in great spirit with some
lovely rugby played by both sides.
Tillery started brightly and with their
tight forwards having the edge, they pressurised the
visitors line. Eventually they gained their reward on
thirteen minutes when second row Greg Lane parried and
gathered a kick by Gwernyfed full back Gareth Dodd on half
way, and then impressively outsprinted the covering Danny
Skyrme to cross for an unconverted try.
Three minutes later, Darren Miles
launched a counterattack from a loose kick deep in home
territory sending Chris Stevens away down the flank. The
centre found Aled Penn in support on the inside and the
rapid wing cut across two flailing defenders brilliantly
to score under the posts.
Gwernyfed needed a quick riposte and
they got it as Skyrme landed a penalty but Edwards
restored the twelve-point home advantage with a snap
dropped goal. Skyrme landed a second penalty and Gwernyfed
were well and truly back in the game when a neat flick
pass put wing Duffy over in the corner for a try
excellently converted by Skyrme
H-T: 15-13
The opening ten minutes
of the second period belonged to the visitors as their
foraging back row started to dominate in the loose and
Skyrme ensured they benefited with two well taken dropped
goals to give them a 19-15 lead.
Tillery refused to be cowed however and
Adam Pegler led his side with cool authority to edge their
way back up field. The superb line-out work of Lane put
Tillery on the attack as he snaffled Gwernyfed ball. Luke
Pegler sniped quickly from a tap-and-go and the
hard-working Jonathan Price worked a great pass out to
Nicky Stevens who kept his footing well to stay in field
to go over for a try that was superbly added to by Chris
Stevens' conversion.
With just under twenty
minutes left, the game could have gone either way. Skyrme
had a chance to level matters with a penalty but unusually
for him he was off the mark. As time ebbed away, the
Tillery pack kept the ball tight to prevent any
re-occurrence of Gwernyfed's dramatic late win last season
at The Park.
There were fears amongst
some supporters that the pre-season departure of some
experienced players might hit the team hard, but on this
showing at least, the hard working, exciting attitude of
the whole squad, especially the youth players who have
graduated into the senior team bodes well for the season.
Tillery BG website man of the match: Greg Lane
Weather: Dry
Ground conditions: Excellent
Scorers:
TRIES: Lane, Penn, Nicky Stevens
CONVERSIONS: Chris Stevens (2)
DROPPED GOAL: Edwards
Abertillery BG
Line-up:
Miles; Penn, N Stevens, C Stevens, Mason; Edwards, L.
Pegler; A Pegler (captain), J. Rossiter, D. Meredith
(Phelps, 50), Lane, Collins, D Rossiter, Price,
Collier (Penny, 50).
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