CWMBRAN under 13s travelled to St Josephs Casnewydd for the first meeting between the two sides this season. The weather was ideal for open running rugby and it was a treat to watch the boys showing their skills.

St Josephs kicked off and Cwmbran went straight on the attack with Lewis Bates kicking ahead, chasing and touching down, writes Glyn Davies. From a scrum on the St Josephs ten-metre line Tom Alcock passed out to Will Reed who sliced through midfield to score under the posts. Joel Doughty kicked a penalty to touch for a five-metre attacking lineout, Cwmbran secured ball and got their rolling maul going passing back to Reed to touch down again.

Reed seemed to be everywhere, constantly getting over the gain line, creating space, opportunities and hacking through for Bates to chase and touch down. From a lineout on halfway Cwmbran secured ball passing back to Will Jones who powered straight through St Josephs defence with a fantastic run to score an unconverted try. The dying seconds of the first half saw some loose play by Cwmbran give St Josephs the chance to show that they also have some great ball carriers with a run through midfield to score a converted try.

The first half had been physical, but if anything the second half seemed to be even more so resulting in several injuries. Cwmbran were awarded a penalty 15 metres from St Josephs line with Alcock taking a quick tap and go passing to Evan Skuse who bulldozed through to score. Throughout the game Dan Worwood, Byron Mutlow, and Mathias Davies showed how they have matured as players by tackling and carrying well. Morgan Spence, Dylan Matthews and Jack Holcombe showed their running skills and caused St Josephs defence many problems. Ben Pilot showed his versatility by providing cover for several different positions during the game as well as tackling and attacking well. Conversions: Joel Doughty four, and Will Reed one, making the final score 40 – 7 to Cwmbran.

Cwmbran players: Owen Evans, Jordan Walters, Dylan Matthews, Mathias Davies, Ben Pilot, Connor Bollen, Lewis Hughes-Evans, Tomas Alcock, Will Jones, Joel Doughty, Will Reed, Lewis Bates, Jack Colcombe, Evan Skuse, Morgan Spence, Byron Mutlow, Dan Worwood and Thomas Reagan.