Crickhowell RFC - 32

Hollybush RFC - 0

LIMPING in retreat from the very first scrum when they were shunted backwards, Hollybush were kept on the back foot for the majority of the game at Parc Broyd on Saturday and Crickhowell made sure they took their pound of flesh.

Hollybush refused to capitulate however and tackled tenaciously all afternoon as Crick dominated possession and territory.

The game kicked off in a downpour and both sides took a while to come to terms with the conditions.

As usual the Parc Broyd pitch stood up to its reputation and it was not too long before the Crickhowell backs were benefiting from an ample supply of ball from their forwards.

Adam Howells opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a well taken penalty awarded when the Hollybush threequarters were adjudged offside.

Crickhowell were soon on the attack again. Good recycled ball saw Ken Birch receive and give the ball in one movement out to his left where it reached wingman Ben Withey, who made ground up towards the try-line, passing inside to James Ralph who scored. Adam Howells added the extra points.

Crick continued to exert pressure and it was no surprise when the all action number seven Chris Williams was up in support to crash over for an unconverted try.

With Crick now camped in Hollybush territory it was wrongly assumed that the floodgates would open.

Hollybush and other ideas and tied the home side down by slowing the ball at ruck and maul and throwing a defensive line across the field Crick found extremely difficult to break through.

However, just before half-time the away side cracked when Crick drove from a rolling maul making good yardage into the Hollybush 22 metre line.

A ruck formed and from this Chris Williams burst through the middle of it to sprint over the try line. Adam Howells converted.

Into the second-half Hollybush introduced four pairs of fresh legs into their pack and the effect was immediate.

For some 20 minutes Hollybush enjoyed their best period of the game. Not that they threatened the Crickhowell line, but they retained possession and it wasn't until the final quarter that Adam Howells added a further penalty goal and converted an excellent second try for James Ralph.

So in the end a good solid performance from Crickhowell with a bonus point win.

Chris Williams was man of the match.

The club's thanks go to match sponsor club patron John Morris and family and also to former England and British Lion international Dewi Morris who attended the game and spoke to both sets of players afterwards. The club would also like to thank Gareth Jones fencing contractors for his generous support on the day.