Sports 18 Pyle 15
Squad - C Davies, S Narbeth, M John, P Jurgewic, G Lewis, M Murphy, R Dowling, G Punter(Capt), R Wallis, A Issacs, J Hostettler-Davies, M Chapman, R Brewer, C Norris, J Bryant, M Harris, M Channell
With just two points separating these sides at Pyle two months ago when Pyle won 19-17 in the final minutes, this was always going to
be a tight game.
The Sports chose to play with the strong wind and soon from a Matthew Murphy diagonal cross-kick, winger Scott Narbeth put Pyle under pressure, forcing a ruck which Anthony 'Zac' Isaac powerfully drove over to score. Murphy' kick missing narrowly. The Sports put on consistent pressure but the Pyle defence held out and on a brief visit to the Sports 22, live wire flanker Adam Ricketts snapped up an opportunist try under the posts, after some hard graft by the Pyle forwards. Lee Jones made
the score 5-7 to the visitors.
The Sports were forcing Pyle into mistakes and when Norris and Zac drove through the middle of the Pyle pack they were forced into handling on the ground and Murphy made the score 8-7.
At this stage the Sports with the wind at their backs were asking all the questions and Michael 'Mitch' John made a beautiful break down the right flank, he was supported by Zac and then Geraint Lewis switched the play to the right creating an overlap for Murphy and Narbeth. Murphy stepped inside to score and convert a try under the posts. Score 15-7.
More penalties came to the Sports and they opted for field position for one and 'took the points' for a second infringement making the score at half time 18-7 to the Sports.
The second half gave Pyle the chance to use the wind for field position and it produced end to end rugby as the Sports continued to take a ball in hand approach. However, they conceded a penalty in front of the posts and Pyle pulled back to 18-10. It seemed now that the Sports somewhat lost their shape and allowed Pyle to enjoy
a loose game and they scored a great try when Lee Jones burst through the centre and created an overlap for Robert Fulton to make the try look easy.
Jones just missed the convertion making the score 18-15 with 10 minutes remaining. It took great resolve by all the Sports to hold out, but mention should be made of Ryan Wallis,
Chris Norris and in particular Gary Punter for some outstanding tackling. A great game played in a great spirit.