Fixture

Pontypool United RFC | Under 8s 11 - 15 Oakdale RFC | Under 8s
Joshua Johnson
2 Try
Oliver Morris
1 Try
Mac Baldwin
4 Try
Noah Young
2 Try
Josh Bowen
1 Try
Brody Baker
1 Try
Griff Tovey
3 Try

Match Report
11 September 2017 / Team News

That's The Way (Uh-Huh Uh-Huh) We Like It!

The Crazy Eights continued their winning ways on Sunday with a solid team performance against an ever-improving Pontypool Utd side out at the Memorial Ground. With only Olly Bish missing after missing his private jet back from his tour of the Mediterranean the Dale fielded two strong sides looking to continue their fine start to the season.

The Apples played down the slope in the first half but that didn’t affect their momentum as they got off to a flyer scoring five tries in the first ten minutes. Griff Tovey started and finished the scoring in the half with two tries and he was supported on the score sheet by his team mates, Josh Bowen, Olly Morris and Kingsley Parry-Lewis to give the Dale a small advantage after their hosts scored three tries of their own.

Whatever the Apples could do the Bananas certainly did their best to match it and ended their spell on the pitch with five tries of their own. Despite playing up the slope their little legs were a flurry and great running and support play saw Noah Young and Brody Baker each get on the score sheet and a second hat-trick in two weeks from Max Baldwin helped the Dale to a handsome 10-6 lead after 20 minutes.

To give everyone maximum game time another 2 segments of 7 minutes each was agreed by the coaches and the Apples took to the pitch once more. This period was a bit more difficult for the Dale as they only managed to score one try with Griff getting his hat-trick and the Pooler closed the gap to 11-9. Although some excellent tagging by Elliot Hall, Alfie Short and Albie Wynn helped to keep the Dale’s opponent scoring to a minimum.

The last period was a tense affair with both sides looking to take the win at all costs but some great running from Hannah Benger, Shay Edwards and Aimee Lock broke the defensive line, ate up the yards and allowed Noah Young and Max Baldwin to get more tries suitably assisted by Josh Johnson with a brace of his own. There was still work to be done by the Bananas to keep out their opponents and the effort was none more typified than by Josh Bowen who threw his body (and his face) on the line to keep out an attack.

As Pontypool threw everything at the Dale in the final few minutes they could not break the a resolute defensive line and the Referee, who was excellent on the day, blew the final whistle to give the Dale an excellent 15 – 11 victory.

Captain for the day, Poppy Crewe told reporters afterwards that she was as pleased as punch to lead her side to victory although she was little cold. Crewe said that she was looking forward to next week’s game against Senghenydd but she would be wearing an extra layer.

Player of the match was a difficult decision to make but both coaches agreed that if there is one thing that is needed is for all players to listen and learn. And one player certainly did that this week. He took on board what he was told the week before and showed everyone that he cannot only score tries but he can tag as well (but not before he gets himself onside). Take a bow Kingsley Parry Lewis you thoroughly deserved your award.

Everyone at the match will be pleased to hear that Josh Bowen was able to talk coherently by the time he went to school on Monday after the swelling on his lip went down. But as his Dad says ‘if you are going to defend it doesn’t matter what part of your body gets in the way!!’

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