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Deri 22 Rhymney 3

The hard morning's work by hosts Deri in getting the pitch playable for the eagerly-awaited derby paid off, as their heavier pack ground out the bonus point tries and the win against a brave, busy but frustrated Brewers' outfit. It was mud, blunder and occasional fisticuffs in front of a noisy crowd and under-fire official, with the determined, promotion-seeking Oaks assisted in their feld positions by a string of penalties, technical or oral, conceded by Rhymney. The visitors' defence was largely magnificent, though, while their dangerous-looking backs could only dream of the possession provided by the home eight. Deri dominated possession and territory for the first half hour with only the first of their pack-shunt touchdowns to show for it, and Brewers' fly half Liam Davies landed a good penalty and just fell short with another on rare visits to the Oaks' half. 5-3 at the break was hardly reflection of the flow of the game but reward for the efforts under the cosh of the sliding Rhymney pack and sharp scrum half Alex Thomas, and the crunching hits and tireless cover of Davies, Buckley and their colleagues. The first of their two yellow cards, late in each half, was not too expensive, then, but the continued run of penalties, some unnecessary as frustration grew, helped keep Deri in useful positions. A chance to clear was spurned, the penalty once more kicked to the corner and with Rhymney not challenging on the home throw-ins, former Park favourite lock Martin Morgan and his pack finally drove over for a try. With ex-skipper Jamie Rowlands on as centre sub, it was a battle in midfield with some big collisions. In the loose Rhys Watkins, Tyler Evans, Chris Richards and the impressive Connor Gregory were amongst the most prominent, while Morgan Davies, Keaton Pardoe and Huw Reynolds were also on before the end. By then another roling maul had been thwarted only for Deri to produce their best passing move of the day, a looping overlap seeing a dive for the corner. The touch judge correctly ruled a foot over the sideline, but the referee would have none of it: 15-3. Despite the flow of home scrum and line ball, the Brewers rallied and did get into the home 22 once or twice, Liam Davies brought down just short, and though wings Kyron Moss and Jack Donegan did some sterling and exciting work in defence and attck when possible, there was only ever one likely winner. The eventual scrap was maybe a draw, though Deri drew the bigger punishment, and there was also, later, that second yellow for the Brewers. A final, pretty inevitable, identikit drive over from the lineout concluded Deri's bonus point triumph and also saw their only successful kick of the day. Rhymney are due at Brynithel this coming Saturday, 14th April.