Llanhilleth 13 Caldicot 16

IN A fluctuating performance that mirrored the weather Caldicot fought hard to secure a victory away at Llanhilleth.

In a game that saw bright sunshine, rain, sleet, snow and bright sunshine again before finishing in heavy rain, Caldicot’s performance varied nearly as wildly as the elements, with sublime play intertwined with average execution at crucial times, which kept Llanhilleth in the game.

The visitors opened the stronger with repeated carries among the forwards, second row Elliott Ferriman and hooker Martyn Beddows to the fore.

Together with neat handling in the backs, this created pressure both in terms of possession and territory. The strong Llanhilleth scrum initially destabilised Caldicot’s first phase possession but once Number 8 Liam Neil, got to grips with it, he was able to continuously gain fantastic yardage off scrappy ball, in what would eventually be a man of the match display for the returning back rower.

The early pressure eventually caused Llanhilleth to stray offside giving Burton his first penalty kick (0-3). Caldicot scored again quickly after captain and openside Joe Cullimore made a great run, from the kick-off, popping the ball to Beddows who made a barnstorming break up the middle of the park before offloading to Ferriman who linked with fellow second row Richard Shuck, both making good yardage before Llanhilleth conceded another penalty, this time for offside, which Burton duly converted, (0-6).

The elements had changed now and Caldicot eventually conceded a penalty following several minutes of Llanhilleth pressure during which the visitors showed the defensive resilience which has underpinned their their recent run of form, before straying offside (3-6).

The home side quickly levelled the scores at the start of the second half, after Caldicot failed to reclaim the kick off properly and the subsequent hurried clearance kick left Llanhilleth attacking in the visitors’ 22, where Caldicot conceded another penalty for offside, (6-6).

Caldicot regained field position with a break by substitute right wing Ian-Ashley Ware which resulted in a Llanhilleth scrum that Caldicot took against the head. Strong carries by Ferriman and substitute blindside Kane Johnsey set up a quick ruck in the home 22, from where Caldicot swept left with only Llanhilleth hands on the Caldicot’s scrum half Burton stopping a likely try. A yellow card offence given the infringement was in the red zone, was only punished with a penalty which Caldicot were unable to convert, (6-6).

Llanhilleth then exerted pressure to score the first try of the game with a well worked scrum move, after Caldicot fullback Chris Buffery was harshly adjudged to have knocked on despite the ball clearly travelling backwards. The Llanhilleth blindside wing came crashing through on the angle from an inside pass off 10, barrelling through weak shoulders to go in under the posts, (13-6).

But Caldicot’s silver lining appeared as they hit back following a perfectly judged spiral kick to the corner from Burton, while on the run. Caldicot stole the Llanhilleth throw as a result of good work by Ferriman and Llanhilleth conceded a penalty in their frustration which the visitors poked into touch for a lineout of their own, Ferriman securing to set up a drive from which No.8 Liam Neil scored, (13-11).

The visitors were consistently the better team at this point and soon created the go forward ball at scrum time to create multiple phases from which fly half Ashley Donovan threw a sumptuous mis-pass to Buffrey, who drew the last man to put right wing Ware in at the corner for a 13-16 lead which was never relinquished.

Caldicot looked like they might finish with a flourish after brilliant break by Bradley Bates who snuck through the smallest of blindside gaps, to run 50 yards before smashing into the Llanhilleth left wing. Sadly his pop pass to the supporting Ferriman had to be aborted at the last second due to a looming Llanhilleth player positioning himself well in defence, so it was actually a sustained period of very controlled rugby which saw Caldicot comfortably hold out for the rest of the game to take the spoils.

Caldicot now look forward to welcoming local rivals Chepstow to Longfellow Road next Saturday for a 2.30pm kick off. The game itself will be a full on local derby with league points at stake but there will also be fundraising both during the match and afterwards in the club, during the France v Wales game, in memory of Neil ‘Nelly’ Allmark.