Trebanos 47 Bynea 7
Saturday 22nd September 2007.
Trebanos were quickly on the score sheet with two well taken Rhodri Thomas penalties, but then had to work hard for the next score which came from what appeared to be the only tactic that the visitors appeared to have any confidence in, “the rolling maul”. The visitors used their heavy forwards effectively several times with the rolling maul, but live wire flanker Mal Whiteman managed to steal their ball and it was quickly moved to the backs; with right wing Andrew Penhale, popping up in midfield to make a lovely break, only to be stopped by frantic cover defence. However No 8 and captain Rhodri Jones maintained possession and fed the supporting Lee Pickman who sprinted over for Rhodri Thomas to convert.
The next score came from broken play and Andrew Penhale was able to use his speed to outstrip the defence and score at the corner, the conversion narrowly missing. The next try was a combination of forwards and backs with second row Richard Langford setting the groundwork for his man of the match award, with a sweetly timed pass; that any centre would have been proud of, to put away Andrew Penhale for his second try of the afternoon. The visitors then decided that they should try to spoil the ‘banos party and really put the home team under continual pressure for the rest of the half, Trebanos were forced to concede several penalties in quick succession and referee Stuart Kibble was obliged to show second row Liam Jones a yellow card for killing the ball. The home side managed to hold out to half time and led at the break 25-0.
Just after the restart Trebanos were back to fifteen men with the return of Liam Jones and the pack decided that they could also show their expertise at the rolling maul. They marched the opposition forwards back fully twenty-five metres before impressive young prop, Nathan Bartlett forced his way over, the conversion narrowly missing. The home side relaxed after this score and gave away more penalties to allow Bynea to work their way downfield, which resulted in a try under the posts which was converted.
Trebanos then scored the best try of the game, with quick and sure passing sending Andrew Penhale away down the right, only to be tackled short by a desperate defence. The home back row of Rhodri Jones, Mal Whiteman and Mark Evans secured possession which was moved back along the line for left wing Huw Preece to score in the corner, Rhodri Thomas hitting the post with the conversion attempt. Several substitutions did not disrupt the way Trebanos were now playing and Andrew Penhale soon got his third try with a run which started wide out on the visitors ten metre line and saw him go well into the twenty two before veering across field to score left of the posts which Rhodri Thomas converted. The final try was scored by replacement wing Mike Morris again after good passing amongst the backs.
Referee Mr Stuart Kibble in only his third match in charge did well throughout in communicating with the players, and will be welcome to officiate again at the Park despite showing two yellow cards to the home side.
Trebanos can take a lot from this victory with the way the ball was used, but must work harder to give away fewer penalties, which against stronger opposition could prove costly, but well done ‘Banos.
Team:
L Pickman; H Preece, S Williams, R Thomas, A Penhale; K Windsor, O George;
N Bartlett, D Davies, C Meredith; R Langford, L Jones; M Evans, M Whiteman,
R Jones (Capt) Subs; J Harding; C Edwards; M Morris; M Thomson.