Rhigos 7 Sports 22

Squad - N Townley, R Morgan, I Hearne, G Lewis, M John, M Murphy, O Price, A Issacs(capt), M Channell, R Dowling, J H-Davies, M Harris, J Bryant, T Harris, C Norris, R Wallace, R Brewer, S Narbeth

 

When you travel to a club that has produced Dai Morris you go there with respect. The Sports did exactly that. In perfect playing conditions it was a great encounter.

A lot of early Sports pressure was absorbed by Rhigos and several final passes from the visitors failing, and making them look somewhat rusty. Ryan Morgan on the left wing looked dangerous from the start. After 15 minutes it could have been 20 points up to the Sports, but resolute defence from the home side denied any points. When a loose kick from Rhigos behind their own line was gathered by Ryan Morgan on the left wing it was something of a surprise when he, with the help of Matthew Murphy, spread it to the other wing, Ian Hearn who, from a standing start, produced an awesome turn of speed to score in the corner. Nathan Townley missed narrowly with the conversion.

 

The young Rhigos team drove back and, although looking a little unfit, were rewarded with a try by Rhidian Edwards, from a driving maul under the posts. Young fly half, Luke Williams, added the points. In the dying moments of the half, Rhigos conceded a penalty for offside and Townley added the points making the score 7-8 at half time. From the re-start, it was Ryan Morgan again who followed up a well placed kick from Matthew Murphy and when engulfed by the defence managed a reverse 'flick' to Murphy which wrong footed the whole of the home defence allowing him to score under the posts. Murphy then added the conversion making it 7-15.

 

At this stage Rhigos changed their line of attack from the tight forward srive to trying to wided their approach. However, some heavy tackling from Geraint Lewis and "Mitch' John stifled any progress. From one of these defence 'Blitzes' it was Ryan Morgan who gathered a loose ball, broke a tackle or two and created lots of space through the home defence. He was cornered by three defenders but in support was hooker Ryan Wallace who scored a great try under the posts. Matthew Murphy convetred making the final score 7-22.

 

The Sports did not seem aware of the new 4 try bonus point law and may regret it later in the season. It was a good performance against a young side with lots of promise, especially the talented No. 10, Luke Williams who is still a youth player. Matthew Murphy, who showed real maturity, was acclaimed as Man of the match by the opposition coach but it was Ryan Morgan who had the vote of the travelling supporters for his threatening attack style.