Welsh Rugby Union
Weekend In Review: Raven's Flying
By Dai & Lestyn
January 26 2003
Shock of all shocks, Leighton Samuel's open cheque book policy actually appears to be paying off this season for Bridgend. Although their win over Llanelli was begrudgingly over a shadow side, it mean's that they remain unbeaten after 5 premiership games.
| Bridgend 19 Llanelli 5 By Dai |
|
Bridgend kept up their 100% record with a win over an under strength Llanelli at the Brewery Field on Saturday night. Two early penalties by Gareth Cull followed by a try from David Bishop, after disrupting the Llanelli scrum put the Ravens into a 13 - 0 lead. Things got worse for the Scarlets as Gareth Cull kicked two more penalties and Scott Quinnel was sent to the sin bin following from a punch on Sililo Martens. At half time Bridgend led 19 - 0 and that looked to be the final score however Barry Davies popped up to score a consolation try at the death to make the final score 19 - 5. Overall, despite fielding a weakened team, Llanelli still had the likes of Barry Davies, Leigh Davies, Dwayne Pell, Garan Evans, Chris Wyatt, Deiniol Jones and Scott Quinnel and so perhaps they should have done better however Bridgend will have no complaints as the three points keeps them at the top of the Premiership. |
| Newport 32 - 20 Pontypridd by Dai |
|
Newport emerged as winners in this highly entertaining battle between two teams wanting to play open and expansive rugby in front of a 6000 crowd but Pontypridd also took something out of the game. Two tries in the first half by Matt Mostyn, one being a spectacular 70 metre run, and one in the second half by Ofisa Tonu'u together with seventeen points from the boot of Percy Montgomery ensured the win for Newport. At half time Ponty didn't look to be troubling Newport with the Black and Ambers holding a 19 - 6 lead but in the second half after an early penalty by Montgomery, a converted try from Ceri Sweeney reduced the deficit to 9 points and Ponty looked to be getting back into the game. However, Montgomery again put his boot to good use and extended Newport's lead to 12 points before Tonu'u dived over from close range to secure the win. Duncan Bell did manage a late try for Ponty in the corner,
converted by Sweeney which made the score 32 - 20 however that was to be the
last of the match. Overall the match could have been more evenly balanced had
Jason Lewis not been sin binned by referee David Davies for a harmless offence
which allowed Mostyn to cross for his first try but no-one can complain about
the result. A well deserved three points for Newport against a second string
Ponty fifteen but are the points worth anything after the off the field events
in the last few days? |
| Swansea 19 Cardiff 32 By Lestyn |
| It's been a hard time
for all involved with Cardiff over the last few month's, although a
comfortable win over a dire Swansea side won't cure all their ill's, it was
still a pleasure too watch a committed and professional display from an
injury ravaged team. As for Swansea, they continue to go down hill rapidly. First of all it was Richard Smith who exploited a gap in the Swansea backline in a Howley like fashion. Craig Morgan was next to add his name to the score sheet, when great work in the forwards allowed Iestyn Harris to pivot and then send Morgan in, in the left hand corner. Harris converted both. Swansea's inability to create anything was shown up in the closing stages. They failed to gain any significant momentum in the forwards, and when they did get the ball back it was passed well behind the game line, making it easy simply to pick off defenders. Their clear lack of organisation was evident as Darren Morris ended up with the ball out wide on numerous occasions. With a 24-6 score line it may have been
tempting to sit back even more, but Nicky Walne's try cemented our control
and halted any chance of a realistic comeback. Iestyn's delicate Rugby
League like grubber kick was timed perfectly for Walne to out pace the
Swansea defence and touch down for the fourth our fourth try of the night.
|
| Other Results |
| Welsh Premiership Ebbw Vale 26-27 Neath Principality Cup Round 6 |
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