Cwmbran overcome first half setback for victory (From Free Press Series)

Cwmbran overcome first half setback for victory

Cwmbran 24 Senghenydd 18

A massive injury list and player bans did not stop Cwmbran as they completely dominated all phases of play against second placed Senghenydd on Saturday.

These games are usually close run affairs with the Crows pack having the upper hand but losing out behind. On Saturday, however, coaches Bailey and Young will have been pleased with the performance of the whole team.

The game was probably won by giving such a good first half up the Kings Head slope. Losing the half 5-8 was an injustice, with front row players Tunley, Copeman and Hayes dominating the scrums.

Cwmbran, forced to play four wings in their three-quarters, more than matched Senghenydd's pacey backline. However, Senghenydd were first on the score board when their right wing ran in for a corner try. This was soon added to by a penalty goal.

Two yellow cards didn't help Cwmbran's cause. Following good play by Bradfield and Saunders the ball was made available to Cwmbran's 'three line-breakers' Carl Moore, Martin Ellis and Steve Cox - with the latter scoring a try.

These three tormented the opposition all afternoon with their pacey runs. Second half the pack upped their game, when Birch won good lineout ball, Jamie Williams carried the ball up resulting in flanker Mark Cox crashing over for a try, converted by Moore.

A Senghenydd penalty closed the gap before stand-off Carl Moore scored an opportunist try full of pace and skill with a chip and chase. An injury to inside half Fred Evans did not affect Cwmbran's game as replacement Craig Griffin kept the visitors on the backfoot.

With ten minutes to go Cwmbran's eight put in a massive scrum shove for number 8 Gary Coombes to score a pushover try - converted by Carl Moore.

Despite good defence the visitors broke away to score a converted try late on.