Fixture

This was an excellent game considering it was played in bitterly cold conditions on a wet surface. Both sides never stopped attacking each other right from the start. In fact we had a try for Rhigos just minutes after kick off when Paul Edwards squeezed in at the corner and a try in the last few minutes when Bryncoch drove over from the tail of a line out deep in the Rhigos 22 metre zone. Luckily for Rhigos the conversion narrowly missed and within a minute or so of the restart the ref blew for no side.

It was a great result for Rhigos and very well earned. With a cold wind behind their backs in the first half they hounded and harried Bryncoch into a series of errors with a high energy game that you just knew could not last 80 minutes. The back row Jon Smith (who was simply top class at 8) Dan Dudley and captain Mike Lovatt and scrum half Gareth Davies seemed to be everywhere covering the center of the midfield where Bryncoch with plenty of possession were particularly dangerous. The midfield of Sox Lewis, Paul Edwards and Joss Pope defended as if their lives depended on it and when Gareth pounced on an error at a Bryncoch scrum he was able to put Mikey in for a try that Sox converted from the touchline to give Rhigos a 12 points to nil lead at the interval.

In the second half the coaches called for more of the same and Rhigos went close to a third score twice when first Lewis Morgan intercepted and chipped the fullback but was beaten to the touchdown and the Kyle Hinks sprinted 5o yards to be caught high up in the Bryncoch 22.

But Rhigos were clearly tiring and Bryncoch were getting stronger. With the wind at their backs they changed from running the game through the midfield and concentrated on kicking deep into the corners to exert pressure on the Rhigos defence.

Mark made substitutions to rest tired legs Billy Buses, Rhyd, James Tobin and Josh were replaced by Shaun, Aled, Dan and Dwayne as the game was heading into the final quarter. But everyone was tiring not just the front 5 and from a series of lineout drives close to the goal line Bryncoch rumbled over just too far out for the conversion. 12 - 5 and ten minutes to go. The sleet got colder. The clock seemed to stop ticking  as Rhigos defended desperately in their 22. Inevitably another score came. Penalty kick to touch from Bryncoch. Lineout win then drive and up went the ref's arm for the try. Up stepped the kicker. Rhigos held its breath. Down stayed the flags. What a relief.

Now we have to wait 3 weeks for our next game Cwmgwrach who are on the crest of a wave at the moment. Another big game and another good derby.