Category Archives: Fixtures

Tonna 16 points Rhigos 15 points

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Unfortunately for Rhigos this fixture fell on a Caravan Club weekend so that half the team were unavailable to play but reports are coming in of a fantastic barbecue down at the coast.

Luckily Shane Tobin made one of his appearances out of his retirement and showed that he had not lost any of his old front row skills. Billy Buses too was forced into playing a full 80 minutes and battled away manfully. Without them we would really have struggled.

The team was Richard Williams, Shane Tobin, Richard Smith, Nathan Davies, Nathan Edevane, James Lewis, Mike Lovett, Jon Smith, Huw George, Ryan Williams, Steve Davies, Lloyd Bryant, Aled Edwards, Kyle Hinks and Dicky Davies with Luke Williams as sub. Indeed Luke’s knee injury last week was so severe Ian decided not to risk him at all in the game so we made no substitutions.

For the first quarter of the game we really put Tonna under huge pressure but a series of dropped and missed passes stopped us from scoring until Jon Smith scored a wonder try breaking from a scrum which we had won against the head in our 22 meter zone to brush past the Tonna back row, scrum half then right winger to sprint clear and score after a lung bursting 70 meter sprint.

Unfortunately Shaggy failed with the conversion.

Tonna came back strongly and kicked 2 penalties to edge in front by 6 points to 5 only for Shaggy to make up for his earlier miss with a neat 3 pointer to put us 8points to 6 in front at half time. The second quarter of that half was really a poor performance from Rhigos. The pack looked lethargic and the midfield ineffective. No one seemed capable of grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck and yanking the team onward.

This mess continued and in fact worsened when immediately after half time Tonna scored a very good try of their own when they moved the ball quickly down the line for the right wing bowled over by Jon Smith redeemed himself with a try in the corner that Mark Hopkins converted with a magnificent kick from the touchline.

Tonna then had their loose forward yellow carded so to help them out Rhigos conceded a penalty under the posts for Hopkins to convert and take the lead to 8 points – at least 2 scores. Very sportingly we decided not to attack much until the sin binned player came back when we suddenly decided to up the tempo and drive the forwards keeping the ball closer to them rather than trying to go around the outside. Shaggy put Kyle away with a strong run for the line that was stopped just short and from the resultant scrum Jon Smith again broke through 3 tackles and scored at the post for Shaggy to convert and we were buzzing again. Down by 15 points to 16 with just 3 minutes left to play. The excellent James Lewis took play deep into Tonna territory and Huw and Shaggy put Eggy away but his pass to Dicky was dropped and the last chance of a fairy tale ending was gone.

To be fair Tonna just about deserved their win and despite fine performances from Jon Smith, James Lewis and Dicky Davies Rhigos had one of their more forgettable afternoons. Seven games to play including Bryncethyn (Away), Cefn Cribbwr (Home) and Cowbridge (Away) and on the basis of this performance it could be a long and thankless April.

Rhigos 17 Ogmore Vale 10

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It was a classic “Game of two halves, Brian Game of two halves” with Ogmore powering into a ten point half time lead before Rhigos turned the tables and scored seventeen points without reply to win the match.

With injuries and work commitments cutting deeply into the squad we eventually took the field with:

Richard Williams, Dwayne Dudley, Richard Smith (Captain), Simon Grindle, Mike Lovett, James Lewis, Daniel Dudley, Leeroy Morgan, Huw George, Luke Williams, Ryan Williams, Aled Edwards, Steve Davies, Kyle Hinks and Dicky Davies while those 2 fine old warriors Greg Morris and Shane Tobin were on the bench.

Apart from one super break out from deep in the 22 meter zone when half the team handled well for Eggy eventually to get hauled down 5 yards out, this half was all about Ogmore pressure caused by a well functioning lineout and a fine performance from fly half O G Vale who kicked to the corners beautifully to keep the Rhigos line under serious pressure. We scrapped for the ball. Then hack it downfield only for it to come back with knobs on and we had to tackle and work to keep them out.

Eventually our defense cracked when following a penalty on the left a huge cut out pass found the Ogmore right wing unmarked and he strolled in at the corner. O G Vale converted with a fine kick and soon after added another 3 points when our under fire defense went offside. And so we reach half time Ogmore 10 Rhigos nil.

But there were signs that things could get better even in the first half when we tightened up the game  and our pack did the pick and drive we were able to hold on to the ball and stifle Ogmore. Indeed that is exactly what captain Richard senior player Fridge and Coach Ian urged on the boys with their half time orange slice. The tactics worked all too well. Within ten minutes of kick off following a long driving rolling maul we went deep into their half for Huw to snipe quickly down the blind side and find James Lewis with a neat inside pass that foxed the defense and allowed James to score a try too far out for Luke to convert. 10 – 5 and a way forward had opened up.

We continued to hog the ball content to drive it with our pack working overtime and their high fitness levels starting to pay dividends or kick deep to the corners assisted by a little breeze off the mountain. Within ten minutes or so we were up there bashing away at their defense which cracked to allow Fridge to surge over from a well-disciplined drive. Luke kicked the extra 2 points and we were in front 12 points to 10, just twenty minutes after a decidedly uncomfortable first half.

Ogmore had a chance to take the lead with a long range penalty that fell short when it was gathered up by Shaggy who put the ball back down field behind the Ogmore full back to get us back on the front foot. Greg Morris made one of his cameo appearances and gave the pack an extra bit of power different from the subtle skills of Leeroy and after that penalty scare we scored again when a neat chip from Luke bounced back wickedly over the heads of Shaggy and 2 Ogmore defenders only to fall into the hands of Dan Dudley who scampered over for a try that again Luke could not improve.

With the last play of the game after Luke had to leave the field with a nasty knee injury to be replaced by ever young mighty Tobe, Ogmore kicked ahead. Dickie looked to have it covered but suddenly got turned into a statue by a vicious attack of cramp in both calves. Steve Davies could only manage a very iffy kick back to the middle of the field. Rhigos offside. Game delayed 5 minutes to try and uncramp Dickie’s little legs. Game restarts. Ogmore lose ball. Greg hoofs it to touch and final whistle blows. Ian was well chuffed with the result especially after the poor start. He was really pleased at the much improved discipline in the tackle area where the mighty Mike and Dan gave away no penalties all day. Nice one.

RHIGOS 15 HIRWAUN 0

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Boggy pitches, frozen pitches, Welsh winter weather and Welsh International matches have all played merry hell with our fixtures in 2012 to date. On Saturday 3rd March after a fine dry week when Ian was able to roll and spike nearly all parts of the field, despite the efforts of a seriously heavy downpour in the morning we were determined to play this fixture. After Monty spent an hour  forking about Chris Lewis the referee declared the pitch playable and it was game on.

That was Minor Miracle 1 and Minor Miracle 2 was 19 players even without Mikey Lovatt (working) and Dicky Bograt (In Butlins – Yes Butlins in March – but this is the man who spends all summer picking spuds in Hereford)

Team was: Rhydian Williams, Dwayne Dudley, Richard Smith (Captain), Richard Williams, Nathan Edevane, James Lewis, Jon Smith, Dan Dudley, Sean Simons, Dave Price, Kyle Hinks, Luke Williams, Ryan Williams, Aled Edwards, Huw George with Steve Davies, David Williams, Simon Grindle and Lloyd Bryant on the bench.

The conditions were not easy to play in, a swirling wind, some squally showers and a heavy surface  meant this was not a game for the fans of running rugby. In fact almost a replica of the conditions when these 2 teams last met in January when Hirwaun won 9-3. In fact our last match with no games at all in February.

Previously young David Llewelyn had won that game for Hirwaun but he could not repeat that performance. Indeed Rhigos had their own hero today in David Price who kicked 5 penalties from 6 to master the wind and underline how well and how comprehensively the Rhigos pack dominated the game.

By half time Rhigos had scored 2 penalties to lead by 6 points and there were already signs that a win was on the cards. Our front five well led by Fridge and James Lewis dominated the scrum and lineout and Jon Smith carried the ball up strongly breaking tackles as he gave us the go forward to get on the front foot and ensure that Sean, Pricey and Luke kept the ball down behind Hirwaun in the corners giving good field position.

The backline too though hampered by the heavy conditions underfoot combined well on occasions with huw George linking well with the midfield to cause threats out wide.

In the second half it was more of the same and Hirwaun despite some heroic and desperate tackling and scrambling were slowly choked back into their own 22. A try looked inevitable but never came as a combination of strong defence from Hirwaun and impatience from Rhigos meant that Hirwaun kept their line intact.

The pressure though meant that they conceded penalties and Pricey kicked 3 at goal for 9 points, all finely judged in the breeze and Rhigos completed a very satisfying victory to end Hirwaun’s run of 9 games without defeat. Without doubt the mam of the match was Jon Smith, well though Dan Dudley and James Lewis played. Jon broke tackles for fun and always needed 4 or 5 defenders to stop his surging runs. Without a game since last November he was like a hungry man at a feast of goodies.

Ian was really pleased with the all round performance today and felt Rhigos were superior in every position.A comprehensive win that bears out the good training numbers in midweek and the quality of player in the squad well those that turn up that is.

The gate money of £100 has been donated to The Welsh Guards Arm and Leg Fund to support our injured young heroes who through no fault of their own have been thrown into conflict around the world by hypocritical politicians.

CWMGWRACH 10 RHIGOS 17

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Winter gloom has been lifted with this second win in January 2012. After a December without rugby because of weather and Australia, January 2012 has seen us record 2 victories over local rivals Banwen and Cwmgwrach.

Whereas last week’s 14 – 12 home win over Banwen owed a little something to good fortune this week’s win away at Cwmgwrach was thoroughly deserved.

As has so often been the case this season we struggled for numbers with nine or ten players unable to play because of injuries, personal or work commitments but we did put out 15 players but for the first time in years we had to call for uncontested scrums ffom the start.

The team was Nathan Billy Davies, Dwayne Dudley, Richard Williams (Captain), Sam Davies, Nathan Edevane, Dan Dudley, Mike Lovett, James Lewis, Huw George, Luke Williams, Steve Davies, Ryan Williams, Aled Edwards, Kyle Hinks and Dicky Davies. Heroes all!!

It was a very cold afternoon on a very heavy pitch and half backs Huw and Luke kicked well to keep the ball in front of the hard working Rhigos pack in a hard fought first half with the defenses of both sides on top and the heavy surface hindering any quality three quarter play. The half looked to be heading for a stalemate when Shaggy in his best game of the season to date got up quickly on Cwmgwrach’s full back to charge down an attempted clearance and race over from 40 yards near enough to the posts for Luke in his new boots to convert. Seven points to nil as the ref blew for half time.

Fridge’s half time pep talk seemed to inspire us because we came out of the blocks with all guns firing and after  15 or 16 phases of patient recycling that took play right to Cwmgwrach’s goal line they were forced to conced a scrum 5 from which James put Luke in at the posts for an excellent team try that Luke also converted. 14 – Nil brilliant team work from unsung heroes like Billy Buses and Nathan in only his second game in six years and Dan Dudley always in the thick of things.

Back came Cwmgwrach with an excellent move through the back line that saw winger Dai Cole go outside the Rhigos cover and sprint over to score under the posts a try that Dai Edwards converted.

Cwmgwrach continued to exert pressure in their best period of the game with Rhigos being reduced first to 14 then 13 men as the experienced Fridge and Mikey were yellow carded for offences in the breakdown. Hard though we fought with Dickie pulling off a magnificent try saving tackle in the corner, the pressure told and Cwmgwrach earned a series of penalties one of which Edwards converted to bring the score to 14 points to ten. The Foo Foo valves in the huge Rhigos crowd were twitching but we leld out until first Mikey then Fridge got back into the game for the last 10 minutes when our superior fitness told. Now we were on the front foot again and only desperate defence kept out Eggy then Dwayne as he and Billy sprinted clear.

Finally the home defense cracked and Luke kicked a simple penalty to take us 7 points clear for a fine win. We showed good attitude from start to finish and were far too good for Cwmgwrach in the key positions of 8, 9, 10 and 12 where James Lewis, Huw George, Luke Williams and Ryan Williams were head and shoulders better than their opponents.

Next week we are home to South Wales Police after training Wednesday of course. Smithy was well chuffed with the result and urged the boys to train Wednesday because the fitness and team skills work with Mark are paying dividends.

RHIGOS 15 COWBRIDGE 5

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What a difference a week makes a super performance today overcoming the elements and a strong well organised and highly rated Cowbridge side who had only lost so far this season to Cefn Cribbwr and Bryncethin.

But the day did not start well with the field extremely heavy and drizzle driving into the faces of players and spectators. This was not a game for the faint hearted.

Injuries and work commitments again ate into our playing staff and the side that eventually took the field was: Richard Williams, Simon Grindle, Richard Smith,(Captain), Nathan Davies, Mike Lovett, Lee Morgan, Greg Morris, James Lewis, Shaun Simons, David Price, Lloyd Bryant, Luke Williams, Ryan Williams, Aled Edwards, Dicky Davies, Subs. Jon Smith, Steve Davies and Kyle Hinks.

Playing against the wind and drizzle Rhigos battled hard in the first quarter of the game to get out of their 22 meter zone and were somewhat fortunate that the Cowbridge fly half, Steve Birchenough, missed an relatively easy penalty. But we battled away well led by Richard Smith and with James Lewis and legend Mike Lovett tackling their hearts out eventually Dave price and luke cleared our lines and it was our turn to put Cowbridge on the rack. A line out deep in Cowbridge red zone was driven on and 11 phases later Shaun Simons fed veteran Greg Morris who cleverly switched from narrow to open side for a fine try that Dave Price improved with a well judged conversion.

Back came Cowbridge and helped by the wind they forced their way into our 22 time and time again only to be beaten back by a super defensive wall. Again Rhigos had a lucky break when Birchenough failed with his second kick downwind that drifted narrowly wide of the left hand post.

The score remained 7 – nil at half time when Rhigos were forced to reshuffle as Greg Morris and James Lewis had to leave the field injured. Both had played a huge part in Rhigos first half efforts and reluctantly had be substituted by Jon Smith and ever young Steve Davies. Jonny went to No: 8 , Lloyd came into the flank and Steve slotted into the left wing.

Cowbridge were now faced with quite a task playing into the wind and rain so Rhigos sportingly decided to help them when Fridge was Yellow carded for flopping over at the ruck and almost squashing the scrum half. The penalty was kicked to touch and from the line out the Cowbridge pack succeeded in doing against the wind what they could not do with it when they drove over Ross Llewellyn for a fine captain’s try that was just too far out for the conversion.

That fine effort seemed to take the energy out of the Cowbridge team. They spent the rest of the second half penned back deep in their own territory as Rhigos well led by the driving runs of Jonny Smith supported by Lee Roy and Lloyd carried the ball at them time and time again.

Dicky Davies and Dave Price kept the ball in front of the pack nicely and it was only a matter of time before Cowbridge cracked. Their defence was penalised at the ruck and Dave Price stepped up to convert a penalty that took the score up to 10 points before Jon Smith broke from a scrum outside the back row to send Luke over for a really well worked try that rounded off the scoring. It was a very good club performance and coaches Ian and Mark were well pleased with the discipline shown by the players at the tackle and the ruck. They praised also the work of Simon Grindle in his first match as hooker after 25 years at outside half and Billy Buses who went through the pain barrier and toughed it out to the end of the game in the boiler room of the scrum.

CEFN CRIBBWR 16 RHIGOS 0

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The less said about this game the better. We turned in a poor performance and got nilled by Cefn Cribbwr. Once again short of numbers on the day.

The team was: Rhydian Williams, Dwayne Dudley, Richard Smith,(Captain), Richard Williams, Mike Lovett, Daniel Dudley, Jon Smith, David Williams, Shaun Simons, David Price, Lee Morgan, Luke Williams, Ryan Williams, Lloyd Bryant, Dicky Davies with Nathan Davies and Steve Davies as subs.

We lost Jon Smith to a Red Card within 10 minutes of Kick Off and then had to move Dan Dudley to number 8 and Lee Morgan came into the back row. We held them to 3 – nil at half time. Unfortunately David Twin had to leave the field with an ankle injury and Billy came on.With 10 minutes to play and the score 2 tries, 1 highly controvertial, and 2 penalties to Nil Fridge had to leave the field to go to work and Steve came on but the game was already beyond us. Given the circumstances it was a huge defensive effort led by Dan Dudley who had a magnificent match with 22 tackles to his credit.

Coaches Ian and Mark were quite philosophical afterwards firmly of the belief that if Jon had stayed on we would have done Cefn Cribbwr a lot of damage and perhaps beaten them but it was not to be. It was also a bit of a bummer to pick up what could be another injury with david twin’s ankle up like a balloon.

RHIGOS 32 TONNA 0

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12/11/11

After a week of heavy rain which stopped on Friday evening when a drying breeze sprung up from the West it was no surprise that Saturday’s home game to Tonna was played on a heavy and strength sapping surface.

Despite losing Dan twin, James Lewis and Mark Jones, three stalwarts this season, through injuries from last week’s adventure in the Swalec Bowl we actually gathered together 20 players for selection before kick off.

The team was: Richard Smith (Captain) Dwayne Dudley, Rhydian Williams, Nathan Billy Davies, Richard Williams, Mike Lovett, David Williams, Jon Smith, Shaun Simons, David Price, Aled Edwards, Luke Williams, Lloyd Bryant, Adrian Lewis and Dickie Davies and on the bench Ryan Williams, Leeroy Morgan, Greg Morris, Simon Grindle and Steve Davies.

Tonna had secured a run of good results this season with recent wins over Porthcawl and Ogmore Vale and a very creditable draw with Cefn Cribbwr so we were anticipating a nail biter.

Unusually but importantly, Rhigos played well right from kick off with several strong runs from Luke Williams and Dave Williams breaking the Tonna line before we forced a penalty that Dave Price converted for 3 points. Within minutes we were 8 points up when strong running again broke the defence and Tonna were forced to concede a throw in from 5 yards. Mike Lovett leaped like a salmon and flipped the ball to Jon Smith sweeping around the front for a well worked score that we had never done before.

Tonna’s backs threatened with some dangerous running and close passing and were unlucky when first Mike Lovett put in an excellent tackle on the line and then their left wing chasing hard just failed to ground a difficult bouncing grubber kick just before it went dead. Woken up by this burst of pressure from Tonna and after squandering some good approach work on a number of occasions Rhigos finally clicked and backrow and three quarters combined well for Luke Williams to send Aled Eggy on a surge down the wing. He ran outside the full back and sprinted around under the posts for a really fine try that Dave Price converted for a 15 point lead at Half time.

After half time the Rhigos pack upped their work rate and dominated the scrum, lineout and breakdown with a super show of power that saw Tonna penned back in their 22 metre zone for practically the wholeof the 40 minutes. A series of excellent controlled driving mauls saw first Richard Williams and then Jon Smith score fine tries but really any one of the eight forwards could have been on the score sheet. In the final minutes with the bonus point already secured Jon Smith picked up and scored from a five metre scrum wide out and Luke Williams converted majestically to round off the scoring. It was Jon Smith’s hat trick try and it rounded off an excellent performance by him strong in defence and forceful in attack.

We were also delighted to see the return of David Twin after his nasty eye injury pre season, and Greg Morris who seems to have recovered well from snapped Achilles tendon the season before last. Next week is a tough one away to Cefn Cribbwr and who knows we might have more than 15 players on the bus.

What great preparation the game was for Dai Morris 70th birthday party later that Saturday evening. It was marvelous to see so many former Rhigos, Glynneath and Neath boys at the club celebrating with one of the truly great Welsh players of all time.

Pontyclun 35 points Rhigos 15 points

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5/11/11

Down we went to Pontyclun in the Swalec Bowl and away we came not victorious but really proud of a strong team performance. We were short of numbers but not as short as we had anticipated and ended up with 18 players without any assistance from permit players.

Team was: Rhydian Williams, Jon Smith, Richard Williams, Mike Lovett, Nathan Billy Davies, Dan Williams, Mark Jones, Dan Dudley, Shaun Simons, Dave Price, Kyle Hinks, James Lewis, Lloyd Bryant, Aled Eggy Edwards, Dicky Davies Subs: Lee Morgan, Steve Davies and Richard Smith.

Pontyclun started strongly and their very dangerous three quarters linked cleverly to work a smart try within 5 minutes of kick off. The try was converted and we were 7 points down. After that slip a cracking battle developed between the 2 teams with Pontyclun having an obvious advantage wide out in the outside channels by virtue of their speed and strength. We countered this by driving through the pack which was weakened in the scrum where Jon Smith was forced to play hooker for the first time in his career but was strengthened in the line out by Jon’s excellent throwing to Mike Lovett Dan twin and Richie Fridge.

We then suffered a double blow in a matter of moments when first Dan Twin was forced to hospital with a dislocated right shoulder despite the assistance of legendary J P R Williams ( a better full back than orthopaedic doctor!!) and then Goofy knackered the ligaments in his left knee. Bravely he battled on to the end of the match with heavy strapping.

Richard Smith came on as sub and this released Jon to the back row. But the team was shaken by these 2 incidents and just before half time conceded a sucker try under the posts when the Pontyclun blind side wing cut inside his outside half and down the channel between 10 and 7. They converted and we were gutted. 40 minutes of hard work had been undone by 2 excellent tries from some talented players.

The second half started brightly with strong running from Farmer, Fridge, James Lewis and Goofy and some deft touches from Billy Twinkle which earned us a penalty in front of the posts and Dave Price promptly converted. Unfortunately this 3 points seemed to stir Pontyclun into a burst of activity and they scored 2 converted tries in a 2 minute burst of excellent running and passing from full back centres and wingers. It was so hard to take. There we were 28 points to 3 down with 25 minutes left to play, Goofy and Richard both carrying injuries. We had played well and the defensive lapses had been prompted more by Pontyclun’s fine play rather than our shortcomings.

Some teams would at that point have sunk without trace. But there were good things to build on. We had consistently won the breakdown area and forced a penalties and turnovers through Dan Dudley , Mike Lovett and Jonny Smith. Dicky Davies was playing really well. Though injured  Goofy was performing miracles at the scrum which was now much stronger with a recognised front three.

Our lineout was working a treat and from a series of driving mauls which Pontyclun could not cope with, Mike Lovatt was shunted over for a well deserved try that took our score to 8 points. Unfortunately and practically from kick off a loose kick was snaffled by Pontyclun’s full back and he cut through to put in the centre for another converted try.

Back we came, now with a lively looking pair of subs Lee Morgan and Steve Davies after first James Lewis and then Billy had to leave the field through injury. Again the forwards prompted the revival driving a lineeout some 30 yards before claiming a penalty which was kicked to touch. The lineout was won and we drove again to see Rhydian farmer break away to score a try that Dave Price converted with the last kick of the game.

It was a courageous performance but the cost was 4 bad injuries to some of our most reliable players. The likelihood is that Dan Twin and Goofy will be ruled out for a couple of months and Richard and James for a couple of weeks. Outstanding on the day were Jon Smith, Mike Lovett, Shaun Simons and Dicky Davies but all the rest of the players gave 110 per cent for the team.

OGMORE VALE 18 – RHIGOS 7

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Saturday 29th October 2011 was a wet and miserable afternoon for supporters and players of Rhigos RFC who lost 18 points to 7 at Ogmore Vale.

Only 14 players turned up to play and Nathan Billy Davies made a big effort to get over straight from work and took the field 10 minutes into the game to enable Rhigos to put out a full XV.

The team was Rhydian Williams, Dwayne Dudley, Richard Smith, Mike Lovett, Billy Davies, Dan Dudley, Dan Williams, Mark Jones, Shaun Simons, Luke Williams, Aled Edwards, Ryan Williams, David Price, Kyle Hinks and Dicky Davies.

We were late getting there again moving from bus to dressing rooms to field to 7 nil down all in the space of ten minutes as Ogmore caught our defence cold with a neat converted try at the posts.

The first half of the game was extremely difficult. Ogmore’s half backs consistently pinned us back in our 22 and we could not develop any pressure on them at all. To add to the problem were some bizarre decisions by the young referee who constantly pinged us.

With the strong breeze at their backs Ogmore steadily built up a score with 2 penalties and then an unconverted try to lead 18 points to nil at half time. Losing Mike Lovett for 10 minutes to a yellow card did not help.

After half time we seemed to switch ourselves back on despite losing Rhydian the Farm for 1 10 minute yellow. Now our driving mauls usually from well taken lineouts at which Dan Williams was immense became the dominant feature of the game. We managed to mount a series of strong drives that eventually saw Richard Smith bustle over for a try that Luke Williams converted.

Showing bags of character we attacked again and again but the Ogmore defence held firm. We were then hit by a third yellow card when Shaun Simons requests to the referee to blow for a Rhigos penalty saw him binned for ten minutes. So for 40 minutes of the game Rhigos played with 14 men.

It was hugely frustrating but despite all these setbacks we still kept pressing with Mark Jones driving strongly from scrums and carrying up well to make the hard yards. He seemed to have his just reward when five minutes from time the entire Rhigos pack with Mark in possession drove straight over the Ogmore line for what looked to everyone like a certain try. Everyone except the referee that is because he disallowed it as he was unsighted. Unbelievable!!

Those extra points would have been a just reward for some real graft. They would not have influenced the result. Ogmore Vale won and deserved to win on the strength of a good all round performance in the first half and good defensive work in the second half. It would however have brought the score closer and given a better perspective of the game.

Next week away in the Swalec Bowl to Pontyclun who are at the top of Division 4 South East – another stern test.

RHIGOS 12 pts PORTHCAWL 15pts

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In their first game for 4 weeks, after being let down by first Blaengarw and then Hirwaun, and after getting a bye in the Swalec Bowl, Rhigos played host to Porthcawl on a dry and windy Saturday afternoon.

Yet again unable to field the strongest side, Rhigos did at least have 18 players and substitutes for the second time this season. The line up was: R Fridge Williams, D Dudley, R Smith (Capt), M Jones, J Lovett,  M Lovett, J Smith, Dan Twin Williams, S Simons, L Williams, K Hinks, R Shaggy Williams, J Lewis, A Edwards, D Davies. Subs: David Twin Williams, A Lewis, S Davies.

Porthcawl always a strong well organised side started well and fly half Aled Davies kicked a well struck 3 points after a series of errors and fumbles in defense led to a penalty against the home team. Rhigos quickly struck back when strong running from Jon Smith and then Luke Williams saw Aled Edwards pulled down 5 yards short of a score. In the resultant ruck Porthcawl prop Jeremy Ironside was yellow carded. Richard Smith wisely asked for a scrum which was driven over to Dan twin record the first try of the game just a little too far out for Luke to convert.

Back came Porthcawl another badly received kick off by Rhigos saw the home side concede another penalty that Aled Davies converted. This seemed too sting Rhigos into a series of strong attacks that ended with a fine break by Luke from the fifth or sixth phase taken on by Fridge and ended by a good tackle which pulled Dwayne down just short of the line. Porthcawl cleared to touch and from a well taken lineout Shaun Simons fed Luke who cut Porthcawl with a searing inside break that saw him score under the posts. He converted his own kick so that with barely 20 minutes gone Rhigos led 12 points to 6 and were looking good value for their lead.

A strong lineout and excellent driving work at forward was enabling Luke to release Shaggy and James well. The game seemed to be developing in the same way as the previous 3 league fixtures. However Porthcawl were made of sterner stuff than previous opponents Banwen, Hirwaun and SW Police. They finished the half well when Aled Davies kicked his third penalty just before half time. Rhigos 12 Porthcawl 9.

For the home side the second half was a major disappointment and their lack of game time in the previous 3 weeks began to show up. There was a series of unforced errors which led to frustration. The more senior players in the side failed to get a grip on the game and Porthcawl doggedly just kept pressurising everywhere. It was not pretty but it was effective and it choked Rhigos.

The excellent boot of Aled Davies did the rest and he kicked 2 further penalties to edge Porthcawl in front. Rhigos attacked furiously. When from their best attack which ended right under the Porthcawl posts just 2 yards short of the line the referee was slow to penalise Porthcawl for not rolling away after the tackle, unfortunately Jonny Smith took the law into his own hands and got yellowed.

Still Rhigos fought back and for the last 3 minutes of the game the crowd were kept on their toes when a series of 18 phases failed to secure a Rhigos score and the game was finally lost.

Even though the same old weaknesses were apparent, too many infringements at the breakdown, too much yapping in the forwards which Ian put down to lack of games in the past 3 weeks  there were good points to build on. Yet again the line was intact with a good defense keeping Porthcawl from scoring a try. The lineout was very capable and the driving rolling mauls of a high order. Luke Williams and Jon Smith had striong individual performances but it was a game that Rhigos lost rather than Porthcawl won.

The next 2 weeks will prove a difficult test for the Axemen with Ogmore Vale away in the League followed by Pontyclun Away in the Swalec Bowl.