Trebanos Youth 19 Waunarlwydd Youth 0
Saturday 17th November 2007
Although this game was listed as a friendly, it would be a real test for Trebanos as the visitors were top of Division A whilst the home side are at the top of Division B.
The home forwards secured possession from the kick off and the visitors were penalised almost immediately just outside their 22 metre line, to give ‘Banos the chance of a dream start. Nic Damjanovic’s kick was held up in the wind and dropped short of the posts, but tremendous following up by outside half Ross Jones earned his team a five-metre scrum. The ball was moved quickly to the backs where unfortunately, it was knocked on. Trebanos took the ensuing scrum against the head to allow the ever impressive No 8 Lee Sinclair to pick up and run through the defence for a superb individual score which went unconverted.
From the restart the ball was moved to the backs and skipper Scott Barrett ran straight through the first line of defence, but then suffered a nasty accidental facial injury and had to leave the field with a broken nose to be replaced by the versatile and talented Rhodri Davies.
Waunarlwydd started the second half by putting together some good passages of play, with forwards and backs linking to test the home defence. Trebanos’ defence was once again impressive and organised; with blindside flanker Luke Davies leading the way with tackle after tackle in his usual effective manner. The home side was penalised and the visitors chose to kick for position and were awarded a lineout in a good attacking position. Second row Declan Bale had other ideas and just as he had the week before he won opposition ball to lift the pressure off his teammates.
Both sides tried to create chances, but couldn’t threaten the opposition line, either by poor handling, but usually because of good defences. After such a period of pressure from the visitors, ‘Banos won their own line-out ball about 10metres from their own line and a superbly organised rolling maul saw them reach the halfway line. Scrum half Nathan Jones broke from the back of the maul with electric pace to score one of his superb individual trademark tries, which was converted by Nic Damjanovic.
Nathan had a second try, which was a carbon copy of his first in the build up, disallowed, when the referee adjudged that he had touched the corner flag before grounding the ball. Trebanos were not to be denied a further score, when Ross Jones put up a high ball which was allowed to bounce and speed merchant Jordan Hopkins collected the bouncing ball at full pace to score under the posts for Nic Damjanovic to convert, for the final score of the game.
Although there are players who stand out week after week, the coaches and supporters are able to enjoy the fact that ALL the team members are contributing to the cause, with the more experienced players leading by example and offering support and encouragement to the younger less experienced members of the squad.
Team
K Jones; D Docherty, N Damjanovic, S Barrett (Capt), S Davies; R Jones,
N Jones; R Jones; R Thomas; D Blake; D Bale; R Carney; L Davies; L Sinclair; R Williams; R Davies; J Hopkins; Eddie.