Cwmcarn United RFC V Sully RFC 19/10/09

WIN 47-0

Cwmcarn United RFC entertained Sully RFC for a second time in a two weeks
at the Welfare Ground. Cwmcarn were again at full strength but the first
20mins was not the one way traffic that was expected with Sully providing
a stout defence against all that Carn threw at them. With Sully in the
Carns half quick turnover ball was won which was moved out to speedy wing
Mike Thomas who was able outpace his opposite wing chipping his fullback
only to be beaten to the touchdown by Dan Rees. Almost immediately after
the kick off Thomas was off again scoring the first of his two tries. The
next try was scored by debutant fullback Ed Ryall. Although Sully were
down they did not give up and had a resurgence after the break but Cwmcarn
held their shape and went on to score a further three tries through
veteran backs coach Matt O'Brien, Matt Hughes and the ever present Shaun
Gilchrist. The final score was 47-0 to Cwmcarn. Special mention must go to
the Cwmcarn pack with a mixture of young guns and old heads they are
tenacious to a man and not forgetting the silky skills of the Cwmcarn
backs who have improved this season under the guidance of backs coach
O'Brien. The man of the match went to Mike "Budgie" Thomas who played the
his best game yet.

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Cwmcarn United RFC v Rogerstone

26/09/09

Div 6 South East

3-14

Cwmcarn have been elevated to WRU status and began their division 6 season with a home fixture against Rogerstone. Carn competed well in the first half with neither side being able to force an advantage. With the packs even there was precious little quick ball for either side to use and it was no surprise that at the break the game was scoreless. With both teams goalkickers off colour it seemed that the match would end scoreless but at the hour mark a good passage of play saw Rogerstone score near the post for a converted try. Carn responded immediately with a three pointer then threw away two glorious try opportunities with the line at their mercy.With time running out Rogerstone crossed again to leave them 14-3 winners.Congratulations to all the players from Cwmcarn who showed the necessary spirit,skill and commitment necessary to be successful at this level. Carns pack were superb throughout with captain Richie Partridge and young prop Gavin Hyams to the fore.

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New Panteg v Cwmcarn United

3/10/09

Div 6 South East

36-20

Cwmcarn travelled to New Panteg for their second game as a WRU club but did not perform for the first forty minutes. The pack were off the pace and as a result Carns speedy backs were denied any worthwhile possession. Panteg took advantage and controlled the half to lead 19-3 .Some stern words at the break revitalised the pack and straight from the kick off there was more aggression and intent to allow the three quarters to release wing Budgie Thomas to score. This was more like it and with  hooker Mark Reader and the back row of Karl Baraby, Brett Jenkins and Jammie Jones to the fore Carn started to gain parity up front leading to fine breaks by Dan Evans , Phil Doherty and Jammie himself all to be denied  by last ditch tackles. Panteg stretched their lead with two tries in quick succession before Carn finished strongly with Jammie rewarded for an outstanding performance with a try near the post to leave  Panteg the victors 36-20.

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Hollybush v Cwmcarn United

10/10/09

Div 6 South East

21-22

Cwmcarn travelled to Hollybush and ever there was a game of two halves this was it . Carn again started slowly allowing the Hollybush pack go forward ball to race into a 14-0 lead. As the half wore on Carn got back into the game only for a wayward pass to allow Hollybush an interception try which was superbly converted from the touchline to leave them 21-0 ahead at the break. Some stern words and three substitutions saw Carn hit back immediately with some sublime handling freeing centre Dan Rees to score under the posts. Carn were now on top and throwing the ball around with forwards and backs combining before strong driving saw veteran prop Dai Richards go over. Replacements Shaun and Keiron Gilchrist were having a real impact and turnover ball led to Matt O'Brien scoring a vital penalty to get Carn a converted try away from victory. Carn pressed and pressed, their superior fitness now evident, and with the last move of the game Shaun Gilchrist went over leaving O'Brien to finish it with the conversion. The game was over and Carn the victors 22-21.

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Cwmcarn United v Hafodyrynys

17/10/09

Div 6 South East

8-55

Cwmcarn entertained highflying Hafodyrynys and despite a plucky performance Carn were always second best.The much bigger Hafod side were quickly into their stride scoring two early tries. Carn stuck at it and finally gained worthwhile possession but Shaun Gilchrist was unlucky with the resulting penalty striking the post and rebounding into play. Carn pressed again only to lose influential scrum half Keiron Gilchrist with a nasty throat injury. Hafod scored two more nice tries before Carn got on the board through a long range penalty from Dan Rees.The second half followed a similar pattern with Carn straining every sinew to remain in touch with the impressive Hafod side. Carn tackled ferociously making Hafod work hard for their points and were rewarded when a fine switch of play from Shaun Gilchrist saw stalwart front rower Paul Buckley crash over. Hafod were worthy 55-8 winners but Carn's young side can hold their heads high after such a committed performance.

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Crickhowell v Cwmcarn United

24/10/09

Div 6 South East

35-18

Cwmcarn travelled to Crickhowell only to leave their boots on the bus for the first 20 minutes.  With Carn so poor, Crickhowell raced into a 20 point lead.  Eventually, Carn woke up and decided that they would start the match after all.  Some fiery bursts by Mark Reader and Drew Hobbs pushed Carn close with Shaun Gilchrist finishing neatly in the corner, but at half time Carn trailed 20 - 5.  Yet again, Carn's superior fitness saw them come on strong in the second 40.  Some superb handling saw the three quarters release speedy wing Cameron Ball to score his first try for the club.  A Shaun Gilchrist penalty brought Carn closer again and with another fine handling move putting Dan Rees over in the corner Carn had closed the gap.  Some excellent kicking from the Crickhowell Goal kicker pushed them further ahead.  With the young Carn team throwing the ball around from everywhere mistakes were inevitable and allowed Crickhowell the final say with the score at the final whistle.  Crickhowell the victors 35-18. 

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OLD PENARTHIANS V CWMCARN UNITED

31/10/09

SWALEC BOWL

report from Old Penarthians

Perhaps in early anticipation of the current Guy Fawkes celebrations, Old Penarthians treated their supporters to a display of fireworks last Saturday, the like of which has not been seen at their Cwrt-y-vil headquarters since the halcyon days of the mid-nineties. Luckless Cwmcarn United could not have chosen a worse day to pay their first visit to Penarth for the hosts blasted their way into the third round of the SWALEC Bowl competition with a fourteen try demolition that saw the tally split evenly between the sessions as if the players were intent on cocking a snook at the earlier criticisms that suggested they were developing into one half wonders!

The 86 point total represents the second best score in the Club’s history; beaten only by the 121 points to 3 hammering handed out by Lindsay Jones’s side to the Students of Trinity College Carmarthen in the 1992 Schweppes Cup clash also at Cwrt-y-vil. On that occasion, the try count reached 19 with Peter Goodfellow topping the list with 5 touchdowns plus 7 conversions for a personal match total of 39 that was supplemented by 4 and 3 try contributions from Mathew Turner and Neil Orpin respectively.

Saturday’s effort was, however, spread throughout the team for, although Simon Davies and Richard Moir appear to have become the first wingers to achieve touch down hat-tricks in the same first team match, a total of 9 players shared in the try scoring exploits with Skipper Scott McCarthy weighing in with the eight conversions that provided the icing on the top of the cake.

The return of the mild weather ensured that conditions were far superior to a week earlier and the Old Boys could not have wished for a better start than the second minute break that saw Steve Mohring power over for the opening try albeit that Scott McCarthy struck the upright with his conversion attempt from in front of the posts. Just ten minutes later, an excellent break by Tom Draper saw Simon Davies racing clear on the right, McCarthy again striking the upright with the conversion although from a more excusable angle.

Having lasted fully 14 minutes, Taz Rosoman settled the team sweepstake by making first use of the physio before Gareth D. Jones and Simon Davies combined neatly on the right to enable David Mason to power his way over for the third try, McCarthy failing to hit both upright and target on this occasion. This prompted a spirited response from the visitors and, when Penarthians were penalised for going over the top, centre Matt O’Brien opened their account with a well struck penalty goal.

With the forwards winning good possession, the Old Boys were beginning to string passes together in fine style and full back Tom Draper was in outstanding form as he contributed angles of running that baffled his colleagues almost as much as the opposition. A Scott McCarthy miss move going right then sent Simon Davies racing clear for the side’s fourth try, the Skipper celebrating at last by kicking his first conversion. Tim Naylor was next in the action but that dreadful final pass was only partial redeemed soon after by the exquisite dummy that saw him in for try number 5 that was also converted by McCarthy.

Another fine run from Simon Davies prefaced the surge that took fellow wing Richard Moir in for the next try whilst a marvellous bout of handling that featured a perfectly judged pass from veteran prop Mark Curtis, drafted in as a last minute replacement, before full back Tom Draper broke clear of the cover for his score, McCarthy converting both.

It was, however, to the creditor of the visitors that, despite being completely outplayed for much of the half, they were able to muster the courage and determination to secure the last word for themselves. This came following a fine period of pressure inside the home 25 when prop forward David Richards took full advantage of a lapse in home concentration as he quickly tapped the penalty award before plunging over at the corner, Matt O’Brien adding the excellent conversion.

Ahead by 43 points to 11 at the break, Penarthians hit the half century mark within three minutes of the restart when another Draper break enabled Richard Moir to cross at the corner, McCarthy again adding the extra points. Wing Moir then completed his hat-trick when he beat 4 men in an excellent run for the corner and went on to link with Taz Rosoman as the pair contrived to release Simon Davies for his third try. McCarthy converted the earlier score before changes saw Scott Hill, Dean Pratt, Steve Mohring, and Tom Draper all depart in the space of a few minutes, being replaced by Sean Leach, Lee Brennan, Danny Godfrey, and Mark Sadler respectively.

The multiple changes did little to upset the rhythm of the rampant Old Boys. Indeed, Danny Godfrey made up for the dropped pass two weeks ago with a touchdown within a minute of his arrival whilst excellent work from Taz Rosoman and Simon Davies put Tim Naylor in the clear for his second score, a favour that was returned soon after when Naylor sent Rosoman himself in for a touchdown halfway out after 27 minutes. After Skipper McCarthy had hit the target with conversions for the two latter scores, a Gareth Jones break was supported by Mark Curtis whose perfect pass sent Mark Sadler screaming in for the host’s final touchdown.

Not surprisingly, the hosts now took their foot off the accelerator whilst the unfortunate visitors made the most of the situation as they salvaged certain pride with a try from substitute prop Mike Thomas with centre Matt O’Brien maintaining his 100% kicking record with the conversion that ended the scoring at 86 points to 17.

This was a superb performance from the Old Boys that only served to underline the conviction of Coach Jeff Norman as to the true potential of his charges. It could not be claimed that Cwmcarn were opponents of the highest order but they were not far behind Cardiff Saracens, opponents that Penarthians struggled to beat by 17 points to nil three weeks ago.

With Dean Pratt, Taz Rosoman, and Mark Curtis providing the platform for a solid scrummage, locks Alun Haines and Tony Kemp forged a formidable partnership in the powerhouse. Flankers Scott Hill and Dave Mason revelled in the freedom to roam whilst the charges of number 8 Paul Langley were a fearsome sight as Penarthians dominated the forward exchanges.

Behind the scrum, Gareth D. Jones probed ceaselessly whilst Scott McCarthy called the tune, enabling the backs to produce their best display for many a day. Centres Tim Naylor and Steve Mohring were a constant threat whilst the Cwmcarn cover was clearly unable to cope with the sheer speed of wingers Simon Davies and Richard Moir allied to the elusiveness of the outstanding Tom Draper at full back. If Penarthians can only carry over some of this form into league action, the basement position will surely soon be in need of a new tenant!

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Cwmcarn United v St Julians HSOB

27/02/10

Cwmcarn entertained ST Julians HSOB at Pantside fields in a bottom of the table clash. As usual Carn made a poor start and the Old Boys raced into a 10-0 lead. Carn game back strongly and should have been rewarded with a try after a fine individual break  by Budgie Thomas saw the ball bounce agonisingly over the dead ball line just evading his fingertips . After the break Carn pressed and pressed only for a knock on to be picked up by the old boys speedy full back who raced the length of the pitch to score at the posts.Far from becoming demoralised Carn threw caution to the wind and with the threequarters now on top and the ball fizzing from wing to wing Carn deservedly scored two fine tries by Mike Thomas and the impressive Cameron Ball.Ball threatened with his speed throughout but with the final pass going astray and the wrong option chosen at crucial times Carn could not quite claw the gap back and succumbed 17-12. Praise must be given to 18yr old scrum half Leon Cook who followed up last weeks man of the match display with an even more impressive performance to once again be the star man for Carn.

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