WARM UP GAME 27/08/2011 NUOB AWAY RESULT 5-33 WIN

After a hard summers training Cwmcarn started their season with a friendly at Newport University Old Boys. With a strong turnout Carn started impressively only to drop the ball with the line at their mercy.Old boys capitalised on this mistake and a massive punt from a penalty gave them a lineout near the line , a missed tackle allowed the inside centre to score. Carn stormed back and only bad execution of a final pass stopped them from scoring until live wire scrumhalf Leon Cook went over just before the break. With both sides making many substitutions the second period was a scrappy affair with neither side gaining superiority ,

The third period of forty minutes saw Carn take Old Boys to the sword with Cameron Ball and Luke Evans scoring before Cook capped an influential display by completing a hat trick of tries. Carn the victors 33-5.

The coaching staff were pleased to see the summers sweat and toil pay off during this final period and selection will be based on training performances for the forthcoming league fixtures. With a large squad to choose from the old adage "No train No play" will be strictly adhered to.

SWALEC League Div 7 Cwmcarn United RFC V Newbridge Utd RFC 3 SEPTEMBER 2011

Cwmcarn began their div 7 league season at home to local rivals Newbridge United . Newbridge started brightly and a few pick and drives saw them gain a penalty at the posts which was duly converted. Carn responded well and drove deep into the heart of the Newbridge defence to secure a penalty of their own from which Kyle Sterry scored. Carn were now into the groove and with a strong scrum and quick hands centre Hugh John was released to score at the posts. A few minutes later with almost a replay of the first try a drive from the scrum saw John again released to score untouched. Carn were rampant and the resultant kick off saw them score a fabulous length of the field try with Dan Evans rounding it off to score at the posts. Number 8 Matt O Brien scored another try after strong driving forward play to see Carn go in at the break 29-3 up. Newbridge began the second half stronger but could not breach the Carn defence despite heavy pressure. Carn responded with tries from Luke Evans and Cameron Ball before a mesmerising 60 metre swerving run saw Kyle Sterry release Leon Cook to score the try of the game . Newbridge continued their efforts and were finally rewarded when they scored with the last move of the game. Carn ran out the deserved victors 50-8 with Sterry collecting 15 points with his boot.

SWALEC League Div 7 Aberbeeg RFC V Cwmcarn United RFC 10 SEPTEMBER 2011

Cwmcarn travelled to Abertillery park where they encountered a large Aberbeeg side. Carn started well and were awarded a penalty which Kyle "The Boot " Sterry converted. Aberbeeg were strong at the set piece and after some stirling work from the big boys up front levelled the scores with a penalty of their own. With both sides playing attractive rugby neither could dominate for any length of time . Carn gained the lead when "The Boot" converted a second penalty before scrum half Matt O'Brien stroked an opportunist drop goal to leave them 9-3 in front. Aberbeeg came back strongly and despite ferocious tackling from Carns youngsters Aberbeeg scored a fine team try in the corner to see the score 9-8 at the break. Aberbeeg were quickest out of the blocks in the second period with wave after wave of forward thrusts seeing them force their way over for a second try. Carn remained in the game via Sterry's unfailing boot and entered the decisive last ten minutes 15-13 up. A scrum on half way saw Carn's No8 pick up and after a fine run feed O'Brien to score at the posts. With superior fitness now telling Carn's speedy threequarters were at full throttle and fine handling in poor conditions saw centre Matthew Hughes sprint clear to again score at the posts. "The Boot " duly obliged to leave Carn deserved winners of an entertaining game 29-13.

SWALEC League Div 7 Cwmcarn United RFC V Sully 17 SEPTEMBER 2011

After two wins Cwmcarn were in confident mood as they hosted Sully Sports at the Welfare Ground. Sully started the better and used the elements to their advantage to establish a foothold in Carns half. A blindside move saw the Sully left wing released along the touchline to score in the corner. Carns' speedy backs were dangerous whenever they had the ball and a sparkling move should have seen flanker Craig Brown release wing Mike Thomas to score . Alas white line fever saw Brown go for the line himself only to be stopped inches short. Sully recovered and again established a foothold in Carns' half. Carns' youngsters were tackling like demons but eventually pressure told as a forward charge saw Sully cross for a second try. Carn responded well and a period of forward drives led to a penalty which Kyle Sterry converted to leave the score at the break 10-3. Some changes were made in the front row and the new personnel saw Carns' pack gain the upper hand. This in turn allowed the three quarters better ball and Carn nearly scored after some fabulous running from Cameron Ball and Dan Evans saw Brown denied at the corner for a second time. A few minutes later Brown was not to be denied when a powerful surge saw him crash over at the posts. Sterry added the conversion to see the scores tied. Carn pressed and pressed running Sully ragged with searing breaks from Ball, Evans and Budgie Thomas opening them up like hot knives through butter only to see the last pass go astray on four occasions. Sully plugged on kicking to the corners to allow their bigger pack to gain some momentum and in the final minute they broke Carns hearts when a loose ball was scooped up by their scrum half who cantered over at the posts to see them 17-10 victors. Carns young pups were devastated in the changing rooms but credit must be given to the effort and commitment shown throughout. If they continue in this vein Carn will be no pushovers this season and will give the rest of Division 7 a good run for their money !!

SWALEC League Div 7 Cwmcarn United RFC V Treharris 25 SEPTEMBER 2011

With three props and a second row absent Cwmcarn were always going to be up against it against table toppers Treharris. Carn started with two hookers in the front row and two back rowers in the second row which left their pack short of grunt . Nevertheless this meant the match could go ahead as rugby union should be played with proper scrums !! Treharris were on top from the outset .With Carns lineout misfiring and Treharris dominant at scrum time they almost monopolised possession.Treharris attacked and attacked with only stout defence and poor execution keeping the score 15-0 at the break. Carn re shuffled where possible but the second half played out as the first. Carn just could not get the ball. The entire squad of nineteen can rightfully be proud of their defensive effort under such a barrage especially Craig Brown, who, having been required to play in the powerhouse gave a superb performance . Despite having less than 10percent possession Carn only conceded four tries and were rewarded for their resilience when their one meaningful attack was finished by Shaun Gilchrist and converted by Matt O'Brien to leave the final score 27-7.

Credit must be given to Treharris who played some sparkling rugby only to be foiled time and again by some ferocious tackling by Carns youngsters who must take heart from their brave defensive effort.

SWALEC League Div 7 Abersychan v Cwmcarn United RFC 1st October 2011

After consecutive defeats Cwmcarn needed to get back to winning ways on their visit to Abersychan. The home side started at breakneck speed and three missed tackles from Cwmcarn saw them lead 14-0 after five minutes . This seemed to shock Carn into action with Kyle Sterry rounding off a fine move to pull a try back. From the kick off Carn spun the ball wide where wing Budgie Thomas turned on the afterburners to sprint 80 metres only to be brought down just short. Carn were not to be denied when caPtain Karl Baraby crossed shortly after. Carn had the bit between their teeth and an outrageous dummy from Kyle Sterry saw Abersychans' defence part as if Moses was present as he cantered over at the posts. Barely 20 minutes played saw the score 17-14 in Carns favour and this was extended again when another flowing threequarter movement saw exciting centre Matthew Hughes go over for the bonus point. Abersychan struck back when their centre barged over to leave the score after a breathless half 24-21. The second half saw more of the same with the balmy weather seeming to wither defences and enhance attacks as both sides went for it. Carn were awarded a penalty try after a dominant scrummage and went further ahead when Matt O'Brien crashed over. Back came Abersychan in this see saw game before Sean Hazzard went over for his first for the club. The home side again responded before Carn finally pulled away with another for Hazzard and a try for the returning Matthew Smith to see Carn the victors in an extraordinarily entertaining game 58-31. Special mention must be made by the stirling work from second row Greg Brown and fit again Tom Goff who ensured Carns speedy backs had plenty of possession with which they could weave their magic.

STAR V CWMCARN UNITED RFC 12th November 2011

Cwmcarn travelled to St.Melons to face STAR in a league encounter. Carn started poorly and STAR quickly took the lead with an unconverted try out wide. Carns usually resolute defence and solid tackling was curiously absent in a poor first half display.Only centre Shaun Gilchrist and young wing Curt Smith tackled with any intent as Carn were punished further when STAR kicked a penalty to lead 8-0 at the break. Some stern words at the break saw Carn start the second half with more purpose. Some strong forward play saw Carn rewarded with two penalties which were both converted by Matt OBrien. Star responded with a breakaway try after Carn were harshly penalised at a scrum .With time running out Carn presssed and another OBrien penalty saw Carn close to within a try. Three minutes left when Carn kicked to the corner. A solid line out and drive saw Carn edge closer. Another penalty but no time for a line out.Another strong scrum collapsed by STAR. Another penalty ,another scrum. Down again.Another pen,another scrum.This time returning scrum half Leon Cook went from the base attracting defenders as he looked for runners ,a long pass and full back Budgie Thomas goes over for the winning score !!! Carns second half display deserved the victory but they must improve from the first whistle as these last ditch wins are no good for the blood pressure !!

Cwmcarn Utd v Girling 19th November

Cwmcarn for once started well in their league encounter with Girlings'. Carns pack were lively and with a first choice back line tries were expected. However it was Girlings' who scored first when some slick handling saw them go over near the posts. Tom Goff was excelling in the loose for Carn stealing ball on half a dozen occasions, another steal by Goff saw the three quarters handle well at pace to release wing Budgie Thomas who drew the full back before delivering the scoring pass to centre Cameron Ball. With both tens having their kicking boots on a see saw half finished honours even 10 - 10 . The second half saw Girlings' with the initial advantage scoring another good try in the corner before Carn came back with two pens to leave the match finely balanced at 17-16 going into the final quarter. Some poor decision making at crucial times saw Carn giving away hard won possession. Girlings' took advantage and a penalty was well converted before Carn gained good field position. Carns forwards responded with a powerful scrum only to be denied when the referee inexplicably awarded a penalty to the fast retreating Girlings' pack . Girlings' worked their way back up field and the last play of the game saw their outside half go over for a solo score to see the final score 25-16 in their favour.

Cwmcarn United RFC V Old Tylarians RFC 21st January 2012

After a disappointing result last week Cwmcarn were looking for an improved performance against Old Tylerians. Carn were bolstered by the returning prodigal son Neil "Molby" Hopkins at loose head and fielded a near full strength side. With the wind howling Carn kicked off with the elements in their favour. A woeful first half hour saw Carn spurn quality possession time and again with wayward passing and dropped ball. With no sign of the wind abating it was imperative Carn showed some composure to get points on the board. Good possession at a lineout was spun wide and quick ruck ball saw the centres release wing Budgie Thomas to score a fine try in the opposite corner. Carn were now in the ascendancy and another period of pressure saw Kyle Sterry go over at the posts allowing Matt O'Brien an easy conversion to see the score 12-0 at the break.

The second half saw Carn under pressure throughout. The beefy OT's pack were putting the diddy men of Carn to the sword and only excellent communication in defence coupled with strong tackling kept OT's at bay. The referee, who had a good game , warned Carn about persistent offending and within minutes they were down to 13. Still Carn refused to yield lasting eight minutes and pack up to 14 before OT's pressure finally told with a drive over in the far corner to score.

With nerves frayed the final minute approached and Ot's came again to within feet of the try line only to have their hearts broken when Cameron Ball and Kyle Sterry inter passed in a length of the field breakaway. With the ensuing ruck ball possession man of the match Leon Cook made yet another telling break this time diving over at the posts to seal a hard fought 17-5 victory.

Leon was well supported by Molby, Izzy and young prop Gavin "Hotline " Hyams in the pack with Shaun Gilchrist and Kyle Sterry back to form in the backs.

Boob of the match went to Cameron "I can run like the wind " Ball when, after sprinting eighty metres he failed to spot the second covering defender and knocked the ball on whilst touching down between the uprights !! DOH !!