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Hafodyrynys 29 Rhymney 18

​In the end - in the very end - it was size that mattered after all. The brave Brewers who had tackled their hearts out, stayed in the game with rucking and passing despite struggling at scrum and line, and surprised their highflying hosts, for once couldn't stop the hosts giant No 8: and his converted try robbed Rhymney of a deserved losing bonus point. Coach Sean Murphy, not one to throw praise around without due cause, was delighted with the efforts of his charges, epitomised by skipper Jamie Rowlands. The centre had damaged a hand in the big Beaufort win so effectively played with one - but still set the tone for the stirring defensive show. He and co-centre Joey Buckley were most impressive as the visitors played nearly all of the rugby and ran the Hafod's jumbo eight and their coverers very hard. The handicap (sorry!) maybe didn't help Jamie as he dropped the ball heading for the posts, while normally dead-eye Liam Davies, though kicking two penalties and a conversion, missed with two others he'd normally land, and busy lock Daley Morris got a nasty hamstring pull. Still, although the hosts led with their big chargers, scrum weight and driving lineout plays, scurrying Rhymney stayed in the game, scoring tries by promising flanker Connor Gregory, his first for the Senior XV, and the rather more experienced backrow partner and Dad, Chrissie Richards. Four points adrift, the Brewers were increasingly halting the No.8 early in his runs, but it was from that fateful last scrum under the sticks that he found the impetus to crash over, deny Rhymney any points, and stay ahead of them in the table. It's derby time this Saturday, 3rd December, as both Tredegar Ironsides and Meredydd James and his Jolly Old Boys Reunion are due at the Park for some pre-Christmas festive action. Not one to miss on or off the pitch!