Crickhowell - 45

Hollybush - 14

AFTER two consecutive Saturdays of defeats, Crickhowell returned to winning ways, with some panache, against a spirited Hollybush side at Parc Broyd.

In the end Crick scored seven tries answered by two from Hollybush who were completely demolished as the home team consolidated their second position in the league table with a bonus point win. Crickhowell opened the scoring when number eight Alan Taylor picked up at the base of a ruck, stepped through it and then ran unopposed some 25 metres to score. Adam Howells converted. 

Taylor was back on the score sheet when he barged his way over the line, aided by a number of supporting forwards, for an unconverted try. 

Further converted tries were added by Joe Powell and James Webb before half-time to put the home side very much in the driving seat.

After the interval Hollybush must have hoped that they would have been able to regroup but Matt Price had other ideas as he latched on to a loose clearance kick and hared some 40 metres for an unconverted try in the corner leaving two very unenthusiastic would be tacklers in his wake.

This score seemed to breathe some life into the visitors and their number eight made some telling drives into the heart of the Crickhowell defence that led to two tries in quick succession. 

Crickhowell though were never in danger and captain Howells scored a try converted by him to stretch the home side's win.

Leon Rees had a really good outing at flyhalf, kicking accurately and constantly testing the defence of the opposition with some probing runs. The scrum was solid, disrupted their opponents on their put in and with the lineout ticking over through James Webb and John Bennett back from injury, the three quarters enjoyed plenty of quality possession but saved their very best until last.

Quick ball from the forwards, and quality work from Matt Griffiths and Leon Rees found Joe Powell in space, who stepped inside one defender and then left a covering wingman and the Hollybush fullback flatfooted as he scored the final Crickowell try, converted by Howells.

All in all a very good game to watch in sometimes appallingly wet conditions, and although the spectators were left wet, they must have departed Parc Broyd happy with the result and performance of the home side.