Trebanos Youth 19 Tonmawr Youth 7
Afan Nedd Cup Quarter Final
This was the first game of 2008 for the youth team and, as Tonmawr are in the same division and took the spoils in both league encounters last season, it was a chance to lay an important marker down for this season. The weather forcast was for very poor conditions ie. wind and rain, so the referee decided to bring forward the kick-off, which proved to be fortunate as the game ended as the rain began.
From the start it was an evenly contested game, with both sides showing an intent to play positively, the first real pressure coming from the visitors, who were camped on the home line for some minutes. Relief came through Rhys Carney and Lee Sinclair, turning the ball over and enabling Trebanos to clear their line. The home side then put together some good phases of play, but the visitor’s defence proved just as resolute as Trebanos’. Tonmawr were eventually penalised for holding on and centre Nic Damjanovic slotted over a well struck penalty to take the lead. Tonmawr took advantage of turnover ball in their own 22 to spread the ball and it found it’s way to No8 Anthony Lee who shrugged off three would-be tacklers to score wide out for Richard Randell to convert. This setback seemed to spur on the home side and resulted in good play between backs and forwards, which saw the ball get to winger Jordan Hopkins, who touched down wide out for an excellent team try which went unconverted, to regain the lead for the home side.
Trebanos started the second half in a much more determined and focused fashion, with the formidable back row stamping its authority on the game and winning lots of ball on the floor. Outside-half Ross Jones making full use of plundered possession by kicking well to gain valuable ground for his team. The home forwards’ pressure on their opposite numbers paid off with a penalty which was converted into points, by the dependable boot of Nic Damjanovic to stretch the lead. The backs then showed what they could do with some very good handling to allow the right winger Daniel Docherty to score a well deserved try wide out. Tonmawr’s reply was, more concerted pressure, but the well organised home defence dealt ably with all and any threat that the visitors posed. Trebanos then pressurised the Tonmawr line and were rewarded with a penalty, which was again turned into points by Nic Damjanovic to make the final score 19 points to 7 to the home side.
The Tonmawr back row consisted of players who have all represented the Ospreys region, but were comprehensively outplayed by Lee Sinclair and flankers Rhys Carney and Rhodri Williams, the feeling amongst supporters is that the team is getting better and closer as a unit as the season progresses. This was Trebanos’ first victory over Tonmawr for many years and was richly deserved.
Well done boys. Keep up the effort and the results will be what you all deserve.
Squad
R Jones; R Thomas; D Blake; R Davies; D Bale; R Carney; R Williams; L Sinclair; N Jones; R Jones; J Hopkins; E Suva; N Damjanovic; D Docherty; K Jones; B Owen; M Edwards.