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Rogerstone 13 Rhymney 43

​In a sad and emotional off-field time for the Brewers, this was just the game to get back in the saddle and relaunch their season in the strong sun and stronger breeze at the High Cross home of the Newport outfit. After another minute's silence, this time for young Jordan Charles with such strong club family links, Rhymney took the game to the hosts even against the gusting wind which blew straight down the park. Both sides were having issues with personnel who were Cardiff-bound for the Joshua fight, Rhymney being virtually sub-less on the day, but they were ready to go the distance and despite each side havibg a yellow card, no front row were involved and no real knocks suffered either. The Brewers landed the early blows, Liam Davies surging over from a short penalty and converting himself. In fact he looked so pleased to be back in action that he rarely parted with the ball...! Then the reliable and forceful No. 8 Chris Richards got over from a pushover as the Brewers' set pieces functioned better than for some time, Davies again converting for 14-0. Using the wind, Rhymney errors and a dancing centre, the hosts got some ball and landed two penalties, but Davies got one back of his own for 17-6 at the break, just before which flanker Connor Gregory got a harsh technical yellow, the first ever in his rugby life. Daley Morris' tackle helped break up a Rogerstone burst and led to the try of the game, another of those Jack Donegan specials. The wing picked up 70 metres out and was chased all the way by the hosts' very pacy wing, but got there to the far corner flag for a fine counter-punching solo score. Rogerstone then had their best 'rounds' of the contest, taking advantage of the extra man and Rhymney's looking for contact or kicking loosely. They got over from a short tap and converted for 13-22, but after a few scares the Brewers took it from a points win to a knockout with a fine last fifteen minutes. Donegan, who had been ruled offside at a promising interception and then pulled back after a 'score' for an alleged forward pass, was always lively and new centre Dan O'Brian - late of Rogerstone! - looked a strong midfield presence. The hosts got a yellow themselves, smart young flanker Keaton Pardoe swooped for a try from the back of a lineout, Davies kicking it, then Richards calmly sorted out a Rhymney counter which had lost its way after a hard-charging run from skipper Sam Williams and put Joey Buckley over, Davies again adding the goal points. If the try scorers so far, other than Keaton, had been the usual suspects, it was good to see another promising hardworking young forward getting the Brewers' sixth. 'Rogie' were on the ropes, hooker Tyler Evans threw in and followed the attack from the lineout to dive for the line. The referee, born in New Zealand, had a good look Down Under and ruled that he'd reached the line, Davies kicked it for his 18th point of the day, and the final whistle went. More bodies and even more effort of the same and smoother sort will be needed this coming Saturday when high-flying Markham come to the Park. Cheers, Akky.