Crickhowell RFC - 21

Rogerstone RFC - 6

IN what was probably their best performance of the season, Crickhowell gelled as a team to beat third-place Rogerstone at Parc Broyd.

After weeks of dry weather the rain fell all through the game but it was Crickhowell who adapted to the conditions and to the referee's interpretation of the laws governing the tackle and breakdown areas.

In the first ten minutes the ref gave very little time for the tackling player to release his prey or for the ball carrier to release the ball, resulting in a stop/start affair which saw a string of penalties awarded against both sides.

As the match wore on the home side gained ascendancy and as Rogerstone grew tired and stretched they tried to slow the ball down and as a result two of their players were yellow carded.

A Ben Withey penalty opened the scoring for Crickhowell for hands in the ruck and then as Crick applied the pressure, James Ralph broke from midfield and although he was held some ten metres from the try line, the backrow drove in behind him and with assistance he got over the line to score. Ben Withey converted.

On the stroke of halftime Crickhowell were penalised for not releasing the player after the tackle and Rogerstone were able to drag themselves back into the game.

In the second half both sides exchanged penalty goals awarded for offences on the floor at the breakdown.

A further Ben Withey penalty goal stretched Crickhowell's lead and incurred a Rogerstone yellow card.

The home side turned the screw and although Rogerstone defended manfully, Crickhowell were not to be denied.

Crick set up camp in the Rogerstone 22 and the inevitable try came when Tom Payne spotted a gap and sprinted through to score an unconverted try and seal the victory.

This was an excellent hard-fought win by Crick who have finished off a very long season on a high.

The pack set the platform for the win with the scrummaging of Ken Birch and Rob Ireland a feature and with back row Shane Burton, Tom Payne and Ed Jones covering so much ground, scrum half David Moris was able to release his backs at every opportunity.

A mention must also be made of 18-year-old Harry Parsons who showed a good turn of pace and great promise in what was his first full appearance in the Crickhowell shirt.

So after a dreadful start to the season Crickhowell pulled themselves up through the table to finish in a creditable fifth place.

All players and supporters are reminded of the forthcoming rugby evening to be held at Llangattock's Old Rectory Hotel on Friday, June 4 at 7pm, where the principle speaker wll be Eddie Butler.

All are welcome and tickets are available from the venue on 01873 810373.