Caerphilly completed a magnificent victory over the scholars of
Uwic at the Cyncoed Campus in Cardiff, this weekend, with their second
victory of the season against the University side sat in fifth place
in the league.
The Castletown side got off to a dream start as they earned a penalty
from the kick off taking play up to the Uwic 5mtr line as Dean Watkins
made good use of the stiff breeze blowing across the pitch. A catch
and drive saw flanker Rhys Watkins cross the line within 2 minutes
to give the visitors an early lead.
Uwic were hardly in the match for the first quarter, but during a
sustained period of attack, persistent offending by the visitors earned
Chris Payne 10 minutes in the bin, as play swept from left to right
in the 22. Uwic spurned the opportunity to gain 3 points, deciding
on a lineout instead, but lost possession during their attack.
Another catch and drive on 32 minutes saw hooker Chris Ferris cross
in the same corner, breaking through the drive to cross the line.
Kicking into the wind, Watkins was unable to add the spoils, but made
up for it five minutes later, slotting a penalty as Uwic were guilty
of killing the ball in front of the posts as Caerphilly looked to
extend their lead.
Deep into injury time, another Caerphilly assault on the Uwic line
proved fruitless, until the ball passed out to centre Huw Locke. Deciding
late, Locke sat back and attempted a drop goal, ricocheting off a
charging Uwic defender, the ball cleared the post nevertheless, giving
the visitors a commanding 16 point lead at half time.
It took Caerphilly just three minutes of the second half to extend
their lead, Nathan Gittings breaking from the ruck on the left hand
side. An initial break by John Griffiths, then Chris Thomas, setting
up the play, in the centre, the ball moved wide. With the Uwic defence
stretched, Gittings pounced on the space, giving the league’s
top team an unassailable lead.
The students suddenly stepped up a gear, much in the same manner as
their victory over Pontypool a few weeks earlier. A good move in midfield
allowed flanker Guy Thompson to run at the Caerphilly defence. Breaking
three tackles, Thomson found speedy winger Johnny Wetbe, who raced
past the Caerphilly defenders to cross the line, giving Uwic a lifeline.
Uwic spurned a golden opportunity on 56 minutes. Breaking out of defence,
a chip ahead by scrum half Josh Leach left Caerphilly Full back chasing
shadows as the ball swirled in the strong wind, forcing him to scoop
the ball into touch. From the lineout, Uwic drove up to the Caerphilly
5mtr line, only to give away a penalty as their player was isolated
on the deck.
Minutes later Uwic passed up another opportunity, breaking out on
the right, space was again created by Thompson, breaking through some
weak tackling, and again releasing Wetbe. On this occasion, Wetbe
was unable to keep hold of the ball, spilling the opportunity.
Good character was shown by the visitors, continuously battering the
Uwic line. Another period of sustained pressure on the Uwic line produced
reward for Second Row Adam Minty, driving over the line with the help
of Chris Ferris as he broke with the ball from a 5mtr ruck.
Uwic were gifted a try deep into injury time, some week tackling down
the left hand side giving full back Matthew McLean a consolation try
for the home side.
With Pontypool completing an injury time victory over nearest rivals
Bargoed, the gap at the top has grown wider. Three points is now the
gap, between Caerphilly and Pooler, with Bargoed now fourteen points
away from the top position.
Caerphilly entertain 4th place Blackwood at home on Tuesday 26th March,
kick off 7.15pm. Following this, a trip to Newport Saracens beckons
on Saturday 29th March. Kick off 2.30pm, venue to be confirmed.
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