Fixture

Crickhowell RFC 30 Hollybush RFC 22

Crickhowell RFC met with Hollybush RFC on Saturday in a hard-fought game. The first quarter saw a tussle for dominance with Hollybush’s powerful forwards launching a series of attacks only to be stopped short by a ferocious defensive effort by the home team. Crickhowell’s efforts,  in turn, were stymied, including a spectacular break by Danny Ralph, who was dragged down just short of the line. Then, Gaining the ball at a line-out, the ball was passed across the field and an offload by centre Matt Botting put Joe Williams in at the corner. Hollybush struck back with a well-taken penalty but Crick replied with a penalty of their own. and looked like taking their lead into the break but a well-worked try and conversion just before the whistle saw the visitors leading  by 10 points to eight.

     At the start of the second-halfScrum-half Richard Roberts made ground and released the ball in the tackle to his outside-half, Tom Keane, who both grounded the ball and converted. His efforts were followed shortly by a try from winger Bleddyn Carrington after the ball was spun out across the field following a scrum in the centre with Keane again converted. With the between the scores increasing, Hollybush stuck to their guns, took play upfield and after sustained pressure by their forwards on the Crick line, were rewarded with a try. A Keane penalty increased the lead. With running short for the visitors another Crickhowell surge saw Keane heading for the line in the corner and, to the dismay of the home supporters and coaches, kicked ahead. Their fears that the ball would go dead, however, turned to elation when Keane outpaced his opponents to gather the ball and touch down. It was the visitors, however, who had the final say when, in the home 22, they managed to find a gap and broke through, scored and converted, leaving the final score at 30-22.

    The game was generously sponsored by KK Solutions and the ball sponsored by David Sharpe, who must also be commended for his much appreciated, and excellent, weekly live updates on social media for the benefit of those unable to attend the games.

    With this bonus point win, Crickhowell now stand level with Bettws RFC on 43 points at the top of League 3 East C. This sets up a mouth-watering clash on Saturday 25th when both teams meet again and Crick look to avenge their narrow loss earlier in the season. The game is at Bettws’ ground, Leach Road, NP20 7XE with a 2.30 kick-off. Should be a thriller.