Cwmbran’s spirit goes unrewarded - Cwmbran 12 Oakdale 24 (From Free Press Series)

Cwmbran’s spirit goes unrewarded - Cwmbran 12 Oakdale 24

4:58pm Wednesday 6th March 2013 in Sport

Cwmbran 12 Oakdale 24

THE youthful Cwmbran team returned from third placed Oakdale with a four tries to two defeat.

Late withdrawals did not help coaches Gareth Kirkup and Chris Bailey’s cause as they were forced to play some personnel out of position.

On occasions Oakdale exposed the disruption by making telling breaks behind, resulting in two early tries scored by their full back and wing, one of which was converted.

Cwmbran flanker Mike Lang, playing in the centre, capitalised on good approach work by the Crows pack and threequarters Dave Thomas, Mike Davies and Gareth Roberts to score near the posts. Inside half Luke Brown converted for Cwmbran to trail 12-7 at the interval.

As the game progressed so did the scuffles, yellow cards and stoppage debates to halt any fluency by either side.

Oakdale always looked the more dangerous side behind, however, and duly ran in two further tries by their centre and wing respectively, one converted , to gain a bonus point. Cwmbran battled hard to get something out of the game but despite hard graft put in by forwards Micky Blake, Jamie Edwards, Mark Lynch, Matt Needs, Micky Witts, Liam Davies and the Elliott brothers all they had to showsecond half was a late try by Luke Brown.

Cwmbran athletic had an excellent 19-15 home win over Gwernyfed.