If you want to start the day off with a smile, please read this wonderful match report from Abergele RFC
I hope Abergele RFC will forgive me for reproducing this match report which first appeared on their web-site.
*****
Gwyr aeth Dinbych / We went to Denbigh
By Sion Pritchard | Saturday 29th September 2012
Denbigh 2nds 108 v Abergele 2nds 0
Like fine wine Abergele didn't travel well on this occasion.
Match report: we lost and lost by a lot.
Still reading? Very well, let’s get into the nitty-gritty (sigh)…but it’s not vintage stuff.
There’s a famous medieval Welsh poem called ‘Y Gododdin’ about a tribe of brave warriors that travelled far to fight another tribe against overwhelming odds. Although they battled bravely they were completely wiped out.
That the poet Aneirin could write a poem 88 verses long about that thrashing is impressive, seen as he was on the side that lost. It’s also impressive that he managed to put a positive spin on that utter pasting. I’m now going to try to do something similar.
Abergele travelled south to play a very well drilled and experienced Denbigh side who are hot contenders for league champions if current form is anything to go by. Although it was once again a scratch side, Abergele were boosted by players who have recently played at a much higher level. Gareth Evans and Mark Davies boosted the ranks of the second team and coach Leon Fields laced up his boots to captain the side. Several of the Abergele players were playing through injury and it’s a credit to those players that they were willing to pull on the jersey.
Scrum half Mark Benton was coaxed out of retirement for the first half of the match and it was a proud day for Paul who played his first game for Abergele by filling in a fullback. It showed the determination and heart of many of the players who had rushed to the game from work without food. Simon Acton was eating his dinner on the pitch during the pre-match talk. (Didn’t bring enough bacon sarnies for everyone else though!)
Because of a lack of personnel the game was played with uncontested scrums.
Gele started brightly and fought for position in the Denbigh half. Denbigh buckled under the pressure and conceded a penalty. Gareth Evans stepped up to give ‘Gele an early lead but dragged his kick just wide of the mark.
Abergele pushed forward but Denbigh turned the ball over and ran the ball through to score a try under the posts, which was then converted.
Abergele took a restart and Denbigh turned the ball over and ran the ball through to score a try under the posts, which was then converted.
Abergele took a restart and Denbigh turned the ball over and ran the ball through to score a try under the posts, which was then converted.
(Repeat this a few more times- I’m not sure how many but I’d guess it was more than 5)
Then it was half time.
Although heads were starting to drop it wasn't the drubbing that the score and the match report would have you believe. Ste Bellis and Jason Harris were carrying the ball well and Dylan Evans and Monkey Dave tackled heroically (Dylan even taking down the Denbigh winger!) Geraint did a sterling job on his second start and Simon Acton gave his all in an unfamiliar position.
Mark Davies and Gareth Evans were bringing their experience to bear and Leon Fields was doing his best to make a nuisance of himself to the Denbigh players.
Other memorable moments included Sion getting skinned by a number 8 and, in a moment of comedy, one of the Gele players watched a conversion bounce off the post and hit him square in the nose. (Ste Bellis :D)
The second half started better for Abergele although they had lost scrum half Mark Benton, reinforcements had arrived in the forms of Adam Griffiths and Mark Dilworth. The second half started with a bang with Abergele tearing into their opponents with renewed vigor. Nigel Davies played at scrum half and Gareth Evans did a fine job filling in at ten.
Although Abergele played much better in the second half their efforts lacked the cutting edge of Denbigh and they were yet to score.
Abergele won the ball and kicked it up field to the Denbigh winger. He then ran inside and offloaded to the centres who spread it wide into space for their winger to score.
Abergele won the ball and kicked it up field to the Denbigh winger. He then ran inside and offloaded to the centres who spread it wide into space for their winger to score.
(Repeat this a few times too)
During the last 10 minutes ‘Gele surged forward looking for the score. Chris Kent and Mark Dilworth were smashing their bodies into their opponents looking to win that extra yard. Craig Wraight was used as a crash centre and made run after run smashing through the Denbigh players before being hauled down. Griff, Mark and Gareth Evans were combining superbly and making good ground. Abergele came within touching distance of the Denbigh line on several occasions but were undone by a swarming Denbigh defence.
Chris Kent showed how valuable he is to Abergele by celebrating his return to the side with a man of the match performance.
Abergele showed that they had heart and belief and fire… but it was too late to change the game. It was a disappointing result and performance considering how we had played in the previous two games.
Looking for positives:
It was sunny.
We don’t have to play them away again.
Nobody got injured.
Erm…
Some games like this don’t get match reports as people want to forget them. I think this one should get a report and that it’s important that players remember how disappointed they felt leaving the pitch today and that helps motivate us all into training harder.
Come on Gele - we're a lot better than this and we all know it.
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