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Tredegar Ironsides 36 Rhymney 13

​Rhymney threatened to spoil the promotion party for their neighbours and hosts only for the first half hour of this windswept derby clash. A lively start with those elements saw a Liam Davies penalty, and a lovely Joey Buckley try made by a pass from Davies, who also converted. A couple of other promising attacking kicks proved a little too long down the cold and gusty breeze, though, and when the Irons did finally make it into the Brewers' half they made it pay. A stream of breakdown penalties helped not one bit, and the hosts settled to their familiar blindside dash, rolling maul from the linesout and weighty scrum. A Rhymney yellow was also bad news, and the home eight forced two close-in tries, one converted and, wind or no wind, very nearly a third. Although Davies added another penalty to lead 13-12 at the break, the writing on the wall was in a very large font indeed, and the wind was not dropping. Lloyd White came so close to holding up the forward charging at him from another five-metre scrum, but just couldn't, and the excellent wide conversion gave the Irons a lead they were never to look like losing. There was a lot of effort and plenty of errors in the cold conditions, but the newly-promoted, tails-up hosts, with eager carriers and thrustful backs were in no mood to let up. Subs, bumps and eventually uncontested scrums came for the Brewers, stand-in skipper Chris Richards having to go off after a painful late shoulder charge. The young side, who have done very well under Sean Murphy and his coaching team to reach mid table, will have learnt a lot again, though, against the pack odds, and they kept going as the Irons grabbed a penalty and a further pair of tries, both well converted, for a very deserved and satisfying end to their fine season behind 100% champions Machen. Rhymney have two trips to Newport still to make: Rogerstone on Wednesday evening at High Cross and St Julian's HSOB (first time ever?) at the Glebelands on Saturday 6th May. Well done to the Youth on their double-heder League and Cup win over Blackwood: they host Newbridge in the semi-final, to be arranged. Facebook fans will have seen Chairnaman Justin's pleas for old Youth XV team photos to be kindly posted on facebook or copied to him or the Club. The Pearson twins, interested Saturday spectators, have a lot, they say, and backed the idea, as did even older oldies from the 60s and 70s. Get 'em in! Good luck tomorrow (Sunday 30th) to the Pearsons for Sophie's Annual Charity Cycle Ride, a great cause.Cheers, Akky.