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Rhymney 31 New Tredegar 17 (WRU Bowl)

This was a rapid reunion between the derby neighbours after the Brewers had edged Newtra in a comeback League win down there a fortnight back. It was always likely to be spicy, but stayed competitive but fair thought there were four yellows (two each) handed out by Cath Richards, efficient lady referee - a first for Rhymney. (Muldoon didn't always agree with her!). It was end to end and close for a long time, with New Tredegar's scrum on top early on, then Rhymney's backs and support play noteworthy, before a strong surge by the visitors closed thngs to 17-12. Then, though, the Brewers' pace and poise from their most effective players took the game away from the Newts, who got an interception try of their own before the close. Roll on Round Three - both of the Bowl, and also of this derby series, with Newtra bound to be out to prevent a home hat trick when they come back to the Park in the League on January 5th next year! They may wear their normal shirts from the start then, following a bizarre mind-games beginning from the Newts which meant the Brewers having to wear their jerseys inside out. They changed their minds at half time, thus explaining the differences in the match pictures. They lost in both jerseys though! Newtra had given it a real go, with stand-out scrum-half Matthews always a threat, but after the Brewers resolved their scrum issues early on it was a good battle up front, which Rhymney eventually won to get the ball for Lloyd White and Ollie Hughes to release the backs (and prolific hooker and  try man Tyler Evans!) to do the business. There was a strong wind behind the hosts from the kick-off, but Rhymney missed a few chances before skipper Liam Davies landed a penalty. That scrum edge saw the Newts win surprise ball and work a nice converted try for Matthews. The hosts hit back and good pack work and a lovely long pass saw ace finisher Jack Donegan dive over. Confident 'Chopper' Davies landed the big conversion, and with the Newts having a yellow card it was 10-7 as the Brewers turned to face the breeze. Rhymney restarted well, and Joey Buckley, stength and pace again evident, put Liam Davies in for a try he converted himself. That sparked the Newts' best period, when they hammered away but met solid home defence until they slipped over from a close-in scrum. Subs Connor Gregory (promptly 'yellowed'), strong carrier Sam Williams and Joe Kahl were the home subs, and they shared the glee when a grand combined attack ended with busy striker Tyler (Tryler?!) Evans plunging over for his third try in three games. Davies converted, as he did when he chipped ahead, gathered and dummied for the last home score, and a personal tally of 21 points. An overambitious offload brought the visitors a try of their own, but 31-17 it was when Ms Richards blew time. The draw will doubtless be of interest this week, but the immediate goal is a League win at St Julians HSOB in Newport on Saturday. Cheers, Akky.