Rhydfelin 8 Abercynon 23

 

At Hawthorn Recreation Ground in warm sunny weather more suited to cricket both sides with only one win each so far looked for a victory to kick start their season.

Having kicked off a bout of early pressure saw the home side take the lead when skipper Scott Perry kicked a simple penalty from the 22 metre line after 10 mins.Cynon responded immediately when for once Cynon's back line showed cohesion as the ball was spread wide to outside centre Gareth Davies who sped into Rhydfelin's 22 and kicked through over the try line where Cynon's Chris Keepings was alert enough to get the important touch down.The remaining 30 mins of the first half proved to be a very scrappy affair for whilst the packs battled to get on top both sets of backs contrived to drop or misdirect passes and take wrong options whilst in favourable positions.

On the half hour mark Rhydefelin were reduced to 14 men as their No 8 Lee Cullen incurred the wrath of referee David Williams who showed the red card after Cullen dived into a ruck throwing punches.Cynon were not able to capitalise for the remaining 10 mins but at half time Cynon were leading 5-3.

Cynon's plan for the second half was for the pack to retain possession more and hopefully suck the strength of the depleted home forwards.

3 mins into the half a well struck 35m penalty by Matthew Turner increased Cynon's lead.But Rhydfelin would not lie down and in the 50th min the scores were level when pressure on Cynon's line saw Scott Perry dive over the line.Could a 14 man home side conjure up a victory.

Cynon's forwards redoubled their efforts and got up the other end.5mins later Cynon were back in front when a slick handling move in Rhydfelin's 22 saw the increasingly impressive Corey Hearne arriving in the outside centre position and the openside wing forward crashed over wide out for an unconverted try.Hearne was again involved in the next score after taking a pass just outside Cynon's 22 and showing an impressive turn of speed which took him almost to the home try line.The move was halted but the homeside were penalised leaving Matthew Turner to increase Cynon's lead with a simple penalty.With 15 mins remaining Cynon were finally getting on top.However Rhydfelin should have reduced the lead when their scrum half dropped the pass inside Cynon's 22 with the try line at his mercy.

Cynon made sure there were were no more scares and with 3mins left ensured victory when at a 5 metre scrum Cynon's pack pushed a visibly tiring home pack back over their try line and No 8 Geraint Turner got the touch which brother Matthew converted.

A deserved and welcome win although not entirely convincing.Cynon move up 3 places to 8th in table.

 

This Saturday the "big one".Local rivals Mountain Ash are the visitors to Parc Abercynon 2.30pm kick off. 

 

Mount are still looking to recapture last season's form which nearly took them to promotion whilst Cynon are looking to avenge last season's deserved double defeat by Mount.