Unlucky Crows' valiant effort (From Free Press Series)

Unlucky Crows' valiant effort

Cwmbran 19 Rhymney 27

Yet again Cwmbran's formidable pack, well led by John Hopkins, had the better of their opponents in set piece and broken play and yet again failed to get the desired result.

This time the home side went down by four tries to three and on forward play alone deserved a win.

Rhymney took the lead after 20 minutes when winger Matthew Chard took a pass, kicked, with the ball rebounding off a players chest into his hands to score a converted try.

Such is the Crows' luck of late, yet they fought back within minutes when prop John Hopkins, in the thick of a driving maul, scored a try.

The lively Rhymney backs looked dangerous throughout and after Chard scored his second converted try they kicked a penalty to lead 15-5 at the interval.

With the pack outstanding and the slope in their favour Cwmbran took the game to their opponents.

After drives by Hayes, Barnes and Williams, scrum half Fred Evans released powerful centre Mike Vann to scatter defenders on scoring his try. Stand off Didcote closed the gap to three points with his angled conversion. Despite denying Rhymney the ball, the combination of a good visiting back wing and frailty in Cwmbran's defence resulted in a try for Rhymney's inspirational captain Mike Roberts.

The try was converted but back came Cwmbran. With Jamie Williams and Chris Barnes taking quality lineout ball the home team set up camp on the visitors 22. Drives by Mustoe and Copeman from one such lineout set up an unstoppable rolling maul with powerful lock Jamie Williams scoring wide out.

This three-point deficit was as near as Cwmbran got; pressing for a deserved win, attacks broken down and Rhymney sealed victory with a try near the end.

The pack apart, backing players Evans, Parry, Vann, Didcote and Morgan strived hard in both attack and defence throughout.

On Saturday Cwmbran are home to Abercarn.

Cwmbran's youth comprehensively won 37-12 at Caerphilly scoring seven tries. Scorers were Gavin Cook (2), Rob Davies, Ben Sainsbury, Shaun Watkins, Rhys Collier and Gareth McCarthy.