Team of The Week: Europe Round 4

By Paul
December 16 2002

In a weekend of woe for Welsh Clubs it was always going to be difficult to pick a decent team, but we did our best aided by Llanelli, Pontypridd & Neath.

Team of the week 13/12/02 to 15/12/02

15. Brett Davey
(Pontypridd)

14. Gareth Wyatt
(Llanelli)

11. Garan Evans
(Llanelli)

 

13. Matthew J Watkins
(Llanelli)

12. Jon Bryant
(Pontypridd)

 

10. Lee Jarvis
(Neath)

 

9. Paul John
(Pontypridd)

 

Davey's was a figure of consistency for Ponty on Saturday, the Full Back finishing with 14 points from the boot. On several occasion's he heroically took high ball's  with the opposition in his face. Garan Evans's was a close second to Davey, with a solid performance against Sale, they're were few Welsh Players that played better than him, it would have been unfair to leave him out, so Evans's utility sees him on the wing.

Gareth Wyatt caused the Tyke's no end of problems with his running angles, regularly finding space to run in to. Matthew J Watkins was the only creative spark in a dull Llanelli back line, the former Newport player delicately picked out David Hodges with a cross field kick that turned out to be the winning try. Jon Bryant put in some massive tackles to send the Leeds's midfield backwards, his hit on Argentinean winger Diego Albanese was bone crunching.

At half back Lee Jarvis just piped Ceri Sweeney to Outside half, Jarvis exposed holes in the Calvisano defence to create many chances. Paul John led from the front in Ponty's fight back, the scrum half was back to his best.

 

8. Dai Hodges
(Llanelli)

7. Steve Tandy
(Neath)

6. Geraint Lewis
(Pontypridd)

 

5. Robert Sidoli
(Pontypridd)

4. Brent Cockbain
(Pontypridd)

 

3. John Davies
(Llanelli)

2. Mefin Davies
(Pontypridd)

1.Iestyn Thomas
(Llanelli)

 

Big American number 8 Hodges turned Llanelli's game round on Friday night. Coming on for Scott Quinnel at half time, he helped regain control of the set pieces, acting as a figure of strength at the back of the scrum. Scoring the decisive try was just the icing on the cake. Steve Tandy grabbed a hatrick of tries, he proved too much to handle for the Italians. Geraint Lewis put in a great scrummaging display, as well as proving a handful in the loose.

In the back Row Sidoli and Cockbain were an easy choice both like Lewis dominating in the scum. Cockbain snatching Ponty's crucial score, as well as stealing crucial lineout ball.

Although the Ponty lineout struggled, Davies worked for the entire 80 minutes. Iestyn Thomas put in a good scrummaging performance, even if the Madden was struggling on the other side of the front row. John Davies, even if he did only come on as a substitute had a big impact in the loose, and tightened up a weak scrum.

Do you think we've got it right?

Tell us on the message board.....

 

Bookmark or share this story with: