News

Rhymney 0 Hafodyrynys 8 (Storm Brian 28!)

​The only game in the division to survive the weather proved another of those brave battling losses for the young Brewers keen to get back into action after their sad lay-off. There was a minute's silence for their late colleague Dylan Willians, in whose memory they have reacted, combined, organised, sympathised and fundraised so marvellously, and who would have been proud of their efforts on a filthy, soaking day when the crowd deserved a bronze, the red a silver and all the players and subs a gold medal each. Never mind Brian, it was almost Hurricane Hypothermia for the shivering Hafod right winger! After a lively start by the hosts against the wind, which swirled and gusted (never very helpfully for Rhymney, it seemed), Hafod worked their way to the home 22 to put their notorious rolling maul into operation. It worked, for 5-0, but the fact that this was the only time it worked out of their many attempts is testament to the Brewers' fighting qualities in defence. They also had to struggle at scrum time, with the weighty Hafod pack able to pile on the pressure in the vile conditions. There was little good ball, then, for the welcome returnee Liam Davies at fly half to use, especially as time wore on and the ball got more slippery, and the field heavier. A few of his chips ahead deserved a better fate, but there was only one occasion in the second half when a home score seemed likely. Callum Ryan had a fine early break, Keaton Pardoe tidied up well as a stand-in wing, Joey Buckley led the backs' tacklers as ever and Jack Donegan roamed all over the field keeping warm and looking to counter. Chrissie Richards had some charges, Callum Merrick and all the pack put their bodies on the line, and permit sub Andrew Barnett was typically lively. However it was largely on the back foot, so the golds were for survival and guts rather than scintillating scoring success. Hafod hit one second half penalty, having missed an earlier sitter, and Liam 'Chopper's' only kicking chance was a long penalty that fell beneath the bar. Freezing and sodden, then, the referee was not keen to add any injury time, and the final whistle was something of a relief!