Senior Match Reports

08.10.11
Wick 5 Ynysowen Sharks 14

This was a first league encounter between these two sides and was played in sweltering conditions and on an uneven pitch. The home side settled first as they sought to defend an unbeaten home record stretching back almost two years. They pressed hard but were met with determined defence from the valley side who launched a counter attack when wing Nathan Broad intercepted and set off down field. The move was carried on by Rhyan Williams and Gavin Richards who was just stopped short and the ball was scrambled away.

Wick opened the scoring when a loose pass in midfield wrong footed the defence. The ball was hacked through and a kind bounce saw centre Neil Davies regather to score. The Ynysowen pack were beginning to dominate and also cause problems to the Wick scrum. A good line out steal by new signing and ex Ebbw Vale man Luke Price saw Lewis Hughes launched down the middle. This signalled a period of sustained pressure on the Wick line with forwards and backs inter passing well and driving hard at a determined defence. Ynysowen set up a driving maul from a line out 15 meters out which resulted in all action hooker Lewis Williams diving in at the corner to level the scores.

A great take from the restart by Gethin King and some good passing and handling saw the visitors surge down field with Williams again going close. Captain Gavin Wathan and wing Martyn Jones also went close before the pressure yielded a penalty which Gavin Richards dispatched to take the lead. Further pressure resulted in a penalty for holding on which Richards again kicked just before the interval.

The second period again saw the visitors dominate with their back row of Price, Jamie Cavial and Andrew O' Keefe getting through a mountain of work and King putting in some big hits which forced the hosts back. A lovely break by Richards almost saw him twist his way over with Hughes just unable to finish the move off. However they managed to increase their lead when Richards kicked a penalty for off side.

The half backs Lloyd Davies and Richards were now controlling matters and pinning Wick back into the bottom corner with some accurate kicks allowing their forwards to keep the pressure on at the set piece. The match ended with Ynysowen camped on the line looking to extend the lead with Wick defending desperately.

Coach Mike Wilson will be pleased with probably the best performance of the season so far against good opposition.

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24.09.11
Ynysowen Sharks 45 Cefn FForest 0

A much improved Ynysowen recorded a bonus point win with a six try demolition of their opponents from Gwent. Some excellent attacking play had the visitors defence at full stretch and it was no surprise when outside half Gavin Richards opened the account with a penalty for off side at the breakdown.

Cefn Fforest managed to mount some pressure and were using their big number eight from the base of the scrum. He was met with determined defence as the home team battled for everything. They went further ahead with a superb try originating from a scrum on half way. Lloyd Davies set the three-quarter line moving left. Good passing saw the ball quickly transferred to wing Michael Broad who beat his man with ease before drawing the full back and finding the supporting flanker Rhyan Williams coming up on the inside to score at the posts with Richards adding the extras'.

Hooker Lewis Williams was having a very busy game giving his team plenty of go forward and a series of drives almost led to a score before Davies whipped the ball away from a ruck and a good ball from Richards sent back row man Luke Price crashing over with the conversion ensuring a 17:0 half time lead.

From the restart the visitors redoubled their efforts with scrum half Davies getting flattened as he hesitated. He recovered well to start another wave of Ynysowen attacks as Price, Williams and replacement Caviel thundered on. A good move in midfield involving Gavin Wathen and David Addis confused the defence allowing Addis, who was having a fine all round game, to score at the posts.

Another fine move from deep released right wing Martyn Jones down the flank he bust clear before being stopped by a fine last ditch tackle however he managed an excellent off load to the supporting Wathen who was tracking the play and allowing him to score. The visitors were struggling to get a foothold in the game and desperately tried to run the ball from their own 22 which allowed centre Wathen to pick off a pass and get his second touch down.

The final score came following good work in the deep from Addis. He found Broad now operating at full back who scorched away down the right. He delayed his pass to draw the last defender and send replacement Lewis Hughes in who went behind the sticks with Richards again converting.

This was a much improved performance from the valley side who defended with great determination and attacked intelligently alternating between their back row driving hard at the opposition and good handling enabling them to spread the ball wide and off load to good effect. This Saturday they travel to Wick RFC for another league encounter kick off at 2:30.

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10.09.11
Cambrian Welfare 7 Ynysowen Sharks 6

The Sharks travelled to their old rivals from the Rhondda and spurned a number of opportunities to win a match that was played on a heavy pitch and in lashing rain. Cambrian came out of the blocks fast winning a scrum on half way and attacking down the left. They caught the defence napping and wing man Chris Cooke crossed for a try that was well converted. The rest of the half belonged to the visitors as they dominated territory with their forwards and backs linking well. Barri Bates made inroads on a number of occasions and only desperate defence kept the line intact. The pressure yielded numerous penalties which a strong cross wind made difficult to convert. Gavin Wathen managed to reduce the arrears with two well struck kicks for offences at the breakdown. Only a point separated the sides at the interval.

The second period saw the experienced home pack take control for twenty minutes as they kept the ball tight with a series of drives. Good defence with Nathan Adams prominent kept the Sharks in the hunt as they weathered the storm and again began to threaten the home line. Replacement number eight Jamie Caviel made several forceful runs from the back of the scrum as the pressure mounted. As time ticked by Gavin Richards and Rhyan Williams both went close before left wing Michael Broad beat two men but was foiled by a good cover tackle. The final whistle sounded with Ynysowen still searching for the decisive score and having to contend themselves with a losing bonus point.

This Saturday the Sharks entertain Glyn Coch in the league 2:30 kick off whilst the seconds are seeking a home pool fixture with a 3:00 pm kick off.

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03.09.11
Ynysowen Sharks 20 llanrumney 0

Coaches Mike Wilson and Damian Regis will be pleased with their team's efforts in defeating a dangerous Cardiff side in their first outing of the new season. The home side went ahead early with a well struck penalty by out side half Gavin Richards. They increased the lead when good handling and passing along the three quarters released full back Gareth Jones down the left. He made ground before a clever inside ball allowed skipper Rhyan Williams to power through to touch down.

The home back row of Williams, Barri Bates and Owain Adams were making life difficult for llanrumney scrum half Mathew Davies who was operating behind a retreating scrum as the home front five began to take control. They should have gone further ahead when, after a period of sustained pressure, they shunted the visiting pack over their line only for the ball to squirt out of the side allowing the visitors to clear. Gethin King was making valuable ground with some typical bursts in the tight well supported by the rest of the pack.

Just before the break llanrumney enjoyed their best phase of the match as they looked to get on the score sheet. However a fine defensive effort with Lloyd Davies and Michael Broad leading the way ensured their line wasn't breached.

From the restart Williams made another powerful burst down field in a move that was carried on by Bates and Nathan Broad who was eventually bundled into touch. From a scrum 20 meters out some lovely slight of hand by number eight Bates totally bamboozled the defence allowing him to stroll in at the posts unopposed with Richards adding the extras.

Leighton James in mid field was using his strength to smash up the inside channel and keep the visitors at full stretch and there were periods when the Ynysowen off loading game looked particularly dangerous. More good handling sent wing John Davies, who had a good all round game, on a run and he just managed to evade the cover to touch down in the corner.

With minutes to go Llanrumney pressed for a consolation score but number ten Richards steered his team home for a well merited victory and ensure the opposition was shut out. This was a fine all round team effort with Williams, Adams and King all carrying effectively. With a number of players due to return to the squad this week the coaches have some interesting selection decisions to make.

Next Saturday Ynysowen continue their league campaign with a visit to old rivals Cambrian Welfare while the seconds are looking for a home pool fixture.