Ospreys U20 10 v RGC1404 71 - please click on the Newsletter button on the home page to view a picture special from today's game
Match report by Ian Harrison, RGC1404 Team Manager
The Ospreys fielded a team at the Old Parish, Maesteg, that consisted of their development players who were looking for contracts with the Ospreys. Players who would obviously be eager to put in a display against the Gogs that would get them noticed and hopefully get them a contract.
From the kick off it was clear that their pack was no match for the Gogs, who themselves only average 22 years of age, and it was nearly 20 minutes before they got out of their half except for restart kicks. It was after such sustained pressure that RGC scored first. A series of ‘pick and go’s’ resulted in an unconverted pushover try by hooker Mike Hall after six minutes. Eleven minutes later a five metre scrum was pushed over the line for No.8 Jeremy Kyne to touch down and Rhodri Carlton Jones to convert to make it 12-0.
RGC were soon back down by the Osprey’s try line as they exerted more forward pressure with tight head Jason Marshall touching down and Rhodri Carlton Jones Converting after twenty minutes , 19-0. Two minutes late Stand-off Seam White tried a kick ahead that rebounded off an Ospreys player into the hands of flanker Kelvin Davies who went over for a try again converted by Rhodri Carlton Jones, 26-0.
Ospreys were trying hard to break the Gog’s line but as with previous matches it held strong with good organisation and strong tackling. This, together with the powerful pack, has been the cornerstone of recent results. On thirty five minutes however it was the backs who showed their skills when the ran the ball across the line form left to right then from the breakdown reversed the direction for winger Dylan Gwyn Jones to score in the corner. The try was not converted and this made the score 31-0. On the stroke of half time the same player scored again in the left corner to make it 36-0 at half time.
Head Coach, Clive Griffiths, made a number of changes just before and just after half time to ensure the whole squad got some playing time.
The Ospreys came out fired up and were more aggressive at the breakdown but went further ahead within a minute of the restart. Some great forwards work by RGC saw Sean White cross the line for Rhodri Carlton Jones to ad the extra points, 43-0. However RGC failed to collect the kick-off, Ospreys regained the ball and Mike Powell went over in the corner for their first unconverted try, 43-5.
RGC immediately put the Ospreys youngsters back under pressure breaking their line on numerous occasions. On one of these centre Nick Blevins broke through and slipped the ball to scrum-half Josh Leach to score under the posts, 50-5.
On forty-eight minutes winger Ben Stelmaszek made a 60m break and looked certain to score but he was well tackled 5m out to snuff out the chance. There was a lull in the scoring as the resurgent Ospreys began to apply some pressure of their own, although the RGC defensive line was keeping that pressure well away from their try line. As the Gogs worked their way back up field Nick Blevins again broke through and slipped the ball to Jeremy Kyne who scored under the posts. Rhodri Carlton Jones converted, 57-5.
On sixty one minutes Rhodri Carlton Jones went over after a quick penalty taken by RGC in their half. He converted his own try to make the score 64-5. Five minutes later the Opsreys got a well deserved second try after they works the bal across the RGC life with Trystan Herdman touching down in the left corner, 64-10.
The last fifteen minutes were highlighted by teenagers Bryn Phillips and Joe Simpson making their debuts and prop Tom Hughes making a 30m break that looked certain to end in a try but ended in him being tackled not far form the line.
The final score came on seventy one minutes when replacement hooked Andy Baston won the ball in the Gog’s half and ran, almost unchallenged for 50m down the left touchline. After he was tackled, the ball was moved inside to Sean White who scored under the posts for Rhodri Carlton Jones to be the last name on the score sheet with his conversion. Final score 71-10.
This was another good display by RGC against a young Ospreys side who acquitted themselves well in the second half. Head Coach Clive Griffiths once again praised the RGC 1404 performance after another huge win in South Wales. "It was a professional performance and to score 71 points on the road was top drawer". He went on to say "I'm delighted with how we played the game, we had the cutting edge and to play the way we did and some of the tries we scored were outstanding".
The RGC players’ displays were as bright as the sunshine the game was played in, with the performances seeming to improve week on week. The North Walian contingent, in particular, has developed to a level far above where they were at the beginning of the year. A product of the influential coaching they have received, and from playing alongside the Canadian internationals.
It has been encouraging to see teenagers such as Alex Schwartz, Joe Simpson, Bryn Phillips and Shaun Strudwick come through the Academy system and experience this level of rugby. Another aspect of note is depth of the strength of the squad with the level of performance never seeming to drop as replacements have been brought on.
North Wales’ rugby fans finally have a chance to see the team in action on the 27th when RGC1404 take on the Royal Navy at Parc Eirias. We can proudly say that RGC 1404 is one of the best teams in Wales, and when have we been able to say that before? If you don’t believe me turn up on the 27th and see for yourself.
Scorers:
RGC 1404.
Tries, Mike Hall, Jeremy Kyne (2), Jason Marshall, Kelvin Davies, Dylan Gwyn Owen (2), Sean White (2), Nick Blevins, Rhodri Carlton Jones
Cons: Rhodri Carlton Jones (8)
Ospreys
Tries: Mike Powell, Christian Herdman
RGC Team, Hubert Buydens, Mike Hall, JasonMarshall, Luke Cudmore, Jon Phelan, Jabb Sinclair, Kelvin Davies, Jeremy Kyne, Josh Leach, Sean White, Dylan Gwyn Owen, Nick Blevins, Tom Seddon, Ben Stelmaszek, Rhodri CarltonJones.
Replacements (all played): Andy Baston, Tom Hughes, Jimmy Lloyd, Harri Parri, Gareth Evand, Richie Hopkins, Joe simpson, Bryn Phillips, Shaq Ngwenya.
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