NEW TREEDEGAR RFC 7

DUDLEY WASPS 12

With a squad of only 22 players making the journey to Iantoland in the Midlands, (Home Club of England scrum half Shaun Perry) this was going to be a difficult game, but the object of the exercise was to get a little “Team Bonding” going. Therefore it was a little disappointing to see so many players miss what turned out to be a very enjoyable weekend. After booking in at the Hotel the players stepped outside and found they were right opposite Dudley Zoo. The Committee kept the pack on the move as the Zoo was stocktaking and we might have lost a few players.

Despite the whole game played in heavy rain, both sides entered into the spirit of things and tried to keep ball in hand as much as possible. The first period reflected the closeness of the sides ending up in a nil-nil stalemate. The Home side had the edge up front but the Newts looked more comfortable putting the ball through the backline. No 8 Brett Thomas carried the ball well and was well supported by Marc Vaughan and Lock Dickie Thomas.

The Second period followed a similar pattern with veteran utility player Neil Hughes filling in at tight head and an unfamiliar ally in wing man Steve Osborn who looks to have carved out a new career as flanker. New Tredegar had the better of possession and territory in this period but missed one or two opportunities to trouble the scorer.

Another stalemate with the final period to follow.

Both sides came out guns blazing with the Newts eager to put the Twickenham experience in the cupboard. The Newts took the lead through a fine individual try by outside half Dewi Winstone who ghosted through the defence to touch down under the posts. Sean Evans added the extra points and the Newts set about increasing their lead and Owain Harry and Sean Evans went close with some long range efforts. Back bounced the Wasps who scored a fine try of their own when flanker G.Raffe crashed over for a fine try converted by Ali Gaytor. Both sides spurned kicks at goal, and also had further opportunities to seal the match but failed to cross the whitwash.

With time running out and the Newts being good sporting tourists, they allowed the Wasps winger C.Lyon to cross in the corner for a deserved winning try which went unconverted.

An enjoyable match for both sets of supporters and we hope the Wasps can visit us sometime soon.

Skipper Curly Watkins and Old timer Dickie Thomas manfully kept the beer jugs flowing and the newts won the “Boat Race” whilst we found an eager daft exiled Welshman who wanted to be No 4 engine. We did not disappoint him.

With the bright lights of Wolverhampton, Stourbridge and Birmingham beckoning, the weary players did their best to pass on their best wishes to the locals. Boardy fell out of bed 3 times which registered 3.4 on the Richter Scale. A nice drive home with a stop off in Monmouth and a good weekend was had by all.

On a more serious note, one more week of solid training and let’s get the season off to winning ways for the First, Second and Youth XV.s