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New Tredegar 32 Rhymney 38

​Well, if this eleven try see-saw is what the derby-dominated Division 3 (East) B is going to be like this year, then good for the crowds and the crack, but no good for the nerves or the heart! A real old-fashioned valley visit had it all: sun, sweat, remarkable returns (was that Steven Lang?)​, many mistakes, some skill, curious controversies, bags of banter, terrific tries, hilarious 'handbags', close calls at the conclusion and 15 mysterious minutes of injury time! It can't be often that a side scores six tries and loses, but all credit to the hosts for their two losing bonus points and for almost snatching a game which Rhymney thrice thought they had all wrapped up. The Brewers led thoughout, and at 14-5, 28-10 and 33-22 their fans might have believed they could relax. No chance, as the very mobile battering-ram Gavin Ferguson at full back for the Newts regularly took a hand with two or three tries and some big busts to gee up Muldoon's Men. With unfortunate early knocks to new Park skipper Sam Williams (hinmself a Newtra boy!) and first try-scorer and scrum half Callum Ryan, Rhymney had to rejig, but sub and former leader Jamie Rowlands, on his post-injury return, grabbed a pair of tries and 'young athletes' and backroom boys Sean Murphy and Carl Samuel, hardly the Ben Woodburns of the outfit, also had to go on in the later stages, along with 'old man' Keaton Pardoe. There was no let-up throughout, though both sides missed some tackles in true 'first game back' style, and the Newts' handling and goalkicking will doubtless have improved before the tasty pre-Christmas return at the Park. Big-boot fly-half Lang, 16 years on from his Rhymney senior debut, kicked all five Brewers' conversions and a late penalty, and that proved the difference on the day: along with a marvellous last-gasp corner cover tackle by centre Joey Buckley, whose strong leadership along with try-scoring No.8 Chrissie Richards helped after Williams' departure. Welcome returnee Rowlands broke tackles and hearts with his brace, and Gareth Lewis moved from wing to scrum half and with a lovely delayed pass freed wing Jack Donegan for one of his 'specials'. With a great dummy and step Jack shot over from 40 metres, though for a long time the referee seemed likely to disallow it after he noticed an exchange of pleasantries (there were a few) 90 metres back! There was super spirit from both sides, the hosts getting back to 32-35 as the referee, apparently determined to win his bet that Daley Morris could never last a full game, played on and on. Lang landed a penalty chance, though, and at 4.20 pm it was all over. Till the next one. Rhymney host Blaina on Saturday: Newtra go to Deri!