Cwmcarn entertained Sully in a friendly at the Welfare ground.  Carn fielded an experimental team with all squad members included to give them much needed game time.  Those who had been disappointed after missing out for the last 3 league and cup weekends all gave the coach some selection headaches after a thoroughly disciplined performance.  Carn were dominant in the scrum from the start and with some impressive work in the loose scrum half Keiron Gilchrist crossed for the first try.  Sully threw the ball around whenever they could get possession but could not break Carn's defence.  A quick penalty on his own 10 metre line saw number 8 Mike Featherstone beat a posse of potential tacklers whilst running fully 60 metre to score a superb try under the post.  From the restart Carn spun the ball out wide and after a flowing move from side to side Sean Gilchrist crossed in the corner.  The half ended with Carn in front 19-0.  The second half saw Carn's vertically challenged pack pouncing on the loose ball created panic in the Sully defence.  The resulting penalty was converted by Sean Gilchrist.  A flurry of substitutions took the steam out of Cwmcarn and allowed Sully back into the match.  They scored 2 nice try's but Carn scored a fine 22-10 victory.

 

Coaches notes:

 

A fine display from Mike Featherstone (if only he could stop kicking the ball !!!!!!)  and special mention to our 6' 3" 18 stone winger Leighton Walkely for some strong running and a try saving tackle.  Well done again boys and your nose don't look too bad Reader.....

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Cwmcarn United RFC v Hafodyrdrynys RFC

13th Dec 2008

Cwmcarn entertained Hafodyrynys in a friendly at the Welfare ground. The first half was a stop start affair with the referee intent on blowing the pea from his whistle !!! Hafod had the lions share of possession and scored two tries but Shaun Gilchrist kept Carn in touch striking the ball well to land two penalties to make the half time score 12-6 to Hafod. The game up opened after the break with Matthew Hughes prominent in the centre before breaking through two tackles to set up an excellent length of the field converted try to take the lead. Some more fine play saw Jack Davies score under the posts for another converted try. Back came Hafod with a vengeance and some good handling saw them go over in the corner and a fine conversion saw the gap close to 1 point in Carns favour. From the restart  Carn gained field position and third penalty by Gilchrist was just about enough for Carn to hang on despite intense pressure on their line for the last five minutes the final score being 23-19.

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Cwm v Cwmcarn United RFC

20th Dec 2008

Cwmcarn travelled to Cwm for a league fixture and despite some sore heads from the festivities the previous evening put up an encouraging performance against a strong Cwm 15. the pack were outstanding in the loose especially Matthew Harper, Stuart Mayne and Neil "Molby" Hopkins. Although giving weight  and ground at the set piece Molby was seen to good effect with ball in hand and at the break down where as usual Carns team of vertically challenged forwards made their presence felt on the ground gaining some fine turnovers and releasing quick ball. However with a depleted back line and impressive no 10 Shaun Gilchrist tearing a cartilage in the first movement of the match  Carn could not make best use of this ball whilst Cwms speedy threequarters did .going into the final 10 mins the game was still in the balance but eventually Cwm took advantage of Carns disorganised back line to triumph 30-0. This score flattering the winners as it was not a true reflection on the game.

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