Fixture

Another superb brace of tries by Elliott Jones

Rhiwbina overcame the joint challenges of visitors Porth Harlequins, Storm Jorge and the man in pink to win 13-0 at Caedelyn – a win that takes the Squirrels up to fifth place in Division One East Central.  With no other league games taking place, Rhiwbina took advantage of the situation to claim four points and deny the visitors a losing bonus point, and in so doing, climb 6 places in the table.

Rhiwbina played with the strengthening wind behind them in the first half, but after 20 minutes had made very little impact, hampered by seven penalties being awarded against them. It certainly wasn’t 40 minutes of rugby to write home about, but Rhiwbina eventually found themselves in the Porth 22 in the bottom corner.  However the lineout was lost and so was the scoring opportunity.  Rhiwbina attacked again and this time a penalty from Dave Gilbert gave them a 3-0. Porth looked threatening but the Rhiwbina defence held firm and the score remained 3-0 at the break, as the teams left the field to shelter from the hail and the loyal supporters queued up for a hot drink.

The second half started with a vicious hail storm sweeping across the pitch from Manor Way.  Nothing could stop Sean Monaghan as he made ground upfield with a typical charging run.  The ball was lost and regained and went through several phases before clean possession saw the ball sent out left where Elliott Jones ran in for a try from about 25 metres.  The headwind was too strong for Gilbey so the Rhiwbina lead stood at 8-0.

Rhiwbina continued to suffer at the breakdown, but they carried on regardless and when Porth had the ball, there was some superb defence.  Kris Bowden then won clean lineout ball and Slogger came in from the right wing and broke through the defence right into the Porth 22, where he passed out to Elliott Jones who sliced through for his second try.

A great run by Jack Corney, which included a deft body-swerve, should have led to a third try, and there were also great runs by Josh Moscardini and Jack Williams to set up attacking opportunities. Rhiwbina played it tight in the closing minutes, but then had to defend strongly as the game went into additional time.  Three penalties were awarded against them, but they held firm as a team, to secure a valuable win.