Tag Archives: Win

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.

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.

SOUTH WALES POLICE 3pts RHIGOS 32pts

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Game 4 in Division 5 South Central and we are to play SWP away at Waterton Cross always a tricky game to call because their backs are usually quick and strong and we never seem to have enough players available to travel on the day.

By one o clock things looked iffy yet again. The list of players unavailable was longer than those in the club.Eventually we got away with just 16 players:

Richard Williams, Dwayne Dudley, Richard Smith(Capt), Mike Lovett, Mark Jones, Jon Smith Dan Williams, Lee Morgan, Shaun Simons, Luke Williams, Aled Edwards, Ryan Williams, David Price Adrian Lewis, Dicky Davies and Nathan Davies. Additionally Nathan Lewis and Aled Boomin nearly brought their kit.

Arrived at Waterton Cross late as usual only to find SWP were struggling themselves to put a side together so we did not feel so bad. Indeed the first five minutes of the game saw us put lots of pressure on the SWP only to concede a string of penalties that pushed us back into our own half time and time again. The scrummage was beginning to look steady and after a series of strong runs by Jon Smith, Dan and Luke took play within 5 metres of SWP line the scrum took over and we drove them over their line for Dan Twin to secure a try that Luke could not convert.

We now scored the best try of the game when the back row drove wide down the right. We won quick ball and the ball moved left across the back line skilfully for David Price and Adrian Lewis to combine cleverly up the left touchline and a fine off load in the tackle put Shaggy in for an excellent score that Luke turned into 7 points with a fine conversion.

Luke and Shaun continued to run the game well with long probing kicks into the corner as we set up good field position only for dogged defense from SWP to keep us out on numerous occasions. The pressure told though and from another strong scrummage Dan Twin scored his second try and Luke converted for 17 points to nil lead that SWP cut to 17-3 with a penalty just before half time.

Unlike last Saturday when we lost out way a bit in the second half this week we kept up good standards with backs moving the ball wide at times with Shaggy and Dai Price showing neat touches on the ball and the back row running strong infield. From one of these drives SWP were penalised at the breakdown and Luke converted to a simple 3 points.

The front five with Dwayne Dudley and Mike Lovett were providing a good platform and the Bonus point try had to come. It was a beauty. Shaun broke right from a solid scrum and sent Eggy away. He stood the winger up then ran outside him to score a fine try in the corner just a shade too far out for Luke to convert.

Late in the game the forwards combined well for Goofy to score a well earned try for his solid work all through the game. Luke converted and it was game over. Another bonus point win on the road and a solid all round performance from the whole team. Luke Williams and David Price have helped give the team another dimension this season.

Ian was well chuffed with the performance and after the match urged the players to make every effort to come training on Mondays and Wednesdays because we nearly are a good side. We need more numbers to compete for places and cover those necessary absences from injuries work and family commitments. But we have to say the fans love it.

Rhigos 31 Cwmgwrach 11

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Game 3 in season 2012 and we are at home to Cwmgwrach. A real local derby for many former Rhigos players and coaches and also for many current players who have been competing for Rhigos against the Witches since they were under 8.

The games are usually hard fought close run affairs with just a single, often controvertial, score separating the 2 sides. So Saturday’s bonus point win was a really big result for us.

The game started at a cracking pace with strong running from Rhigos back row Jon Smith, Dan Twin and James Lewis took play into Cwmgwrach’s 22 forcing the penalty that Big Louie slotted over. Two minutes later Jon Smith stole away from an over cooked Cwmgwrach lineout to surge through first their back row then their back line for a relly fine try under the posts that Big Lou converted.

Rhigos proceeded to dominate the first quarter of the game but indiscipline cost them field position time after time so it came something of a relief that Cwmgwrach collapsed a 5 metre that was being driven back strongly by our pack for referee Chris Evans of Crynant to award a penalty try that again was improved by Big Lou.

The game got a bit scruffy and the wet ball and heavy field proved too much for both teams as did the referee who, on his guard because of the fact that this was a big local derby, blew early and often much to the frustration of the sizeable crowd that had turned up despite the weather.

However Rhigos did manage one final excellent patch of play which sawbacks and forwards combining well for Dwayne Dudley to dance and weave his way to the line and put Rhydian Williams over in the corner only to see the Farmer trip over a daisy and spill the ball. Still he was wearing his wellies because he had forgotten his boots.

In the second half Rhigos bad patch continued and they failed to gain any momentum the scrum and lineout was not so dominant as they had been last week against Banwen. Cwmgwrach began to play with more conviction and were rewarded when John Mcphail dived over following a series of seven or eight phases in the Rhigos red zone. They quickly followed up with a penalty when Rhigos offended at the side of a ruck beforethe Rhigos pack finally got its act together. First they worked their way patiently down field forcing a scrum on the 5 metre line which they wheeled effectively to send Dan Twin in for a well deserved try that again Louie converted.

We battled hard for the fourth try and the bonus point and after a series of penalties under
Cwmgwrach’s posts slick handling from half back Shaun Simons sent Ryan Williams in at the corner for a well worked try that Lou converted from the touchline with the last kick of the match.

After the match Ian said it was scruffy stop start rugby and we were not at our best but we will take the 5 points quite happily and look forward to South Wales Police next Saturday with confidence.

Banwen 6 Rhigos 34

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Game 2 of the 2011-12 season saw us in action in Banwen RFC home of the legend Mark Harris and the even bigger stars Clive and Mick Harris. All from Moorlands – how could one small village have thrown up such giants. Trebanos – never heard of it.

As usual team was selected in the lounge at 1.30 p.m. Just before kick off and only one change was made in the car going to the game when Adrian Lewis bad knees took him out of the second row and on to the bench. Just after kick off the last change (positional) was made to finalise the side as:

1. Richard Williams 2. Richard Smith (Capt) 3. Rhydian Williams 4. Mike Lovett 5. Simon Grindle 6. James Lewis 7. John Smith 8. Dan Williams 9. Shaun Simons 10. A N Other Williams 11. Huw Harry George 12. Ryan Williams 13. Lloyd Bryant 14. Kyle Hinks 15. Dickie Davies 16. Adrian Lewis 17. Leeroy Morgan

In the absence of coach Ian Smith side lined with a seriously heavy dose of flu Sponge man Clive Harris took charge of shouting at people from the touch line ably assisted by Bottle Boy Dai Cowboy James. We played up the hill in the first half and after a couple of scrums to allow the controvertial selections in the front five to work out what they were supposed to be doing and Richard Smith to remember to strike for the ball things settled down. The pack began to roll Banwen about in driving mauls. But it was the home side that took the lead after offside in midfield for the young Banwen scrum half to convert a well struck penalty. Rhigos countered almost immediately and after strong running by Jon Smith Rhigos were awarded a penalty which was tapped quickly and Shaun Simons sent Rhydian the farm crashing over too far out for Shaun to convert. Rhigos were soon back pressurising Banwen in their Red Zone and scored an excellent try along the back line when half backs and centres put Dickie Davies over in the corner for a very good team try. Again Shaun could not convert in the strong blustery wind. Thankfully the torrential rain just prior to kick off slackened off, changed to drizzlwe and finally almost unbelievably sunshine. Linesman Geraint Jenkins threw away his umbrella and picked up his flag instead. The sunshine revitalised Banwen who ended the half pressing hard in the Rhigos 22 to win a penalty that they deserved to convert for a half time score of 10 points to 6.

Playing down the slope in the second half and with the weather improving Rhigos gradually and steadily turned up the pressure on the home team and following a series of drives into the bottom left hand corner James Lewis drove through to score a try that this time Shaun converted for a 7 pointer. There was still 20 minutes left for Rhigos to push for the bonus point and we were finally rewarded from another pressure situation the halfbacks combined slickly to put Huw Harry in for his first try since he was a lad. 2 more tries quickly followed, the first an excellent move involving centres Lloyd and Ryan and full back Dickie who put Adrian Lewis in at the corner and the second a fine individual effort by new fly half Louie Williams who ran through four would be tacklers in a fifty yard surge for the line. It was very satisfying to be able to report back to coaches Ian amd Mark and head honcho Merlyn that we had secured a bonus point victory.

There were some really good performances on the day to underline yet again our ability to compete in this Division. The return of 5 or 6 players from holiday and injury should make selection next week a real headache at least for that golden 2 hours from 12.30 to 2 p.m. On Saturday. It will be Cwmgwrach’s turn to visit Rhigos and this is one local derby that is always a close one to call.