Fixture

Glamorgan Wanderers v Bargoed Match Report Bargoed RFC The 1st XV travelled to the Memorial Ground in Ely, Cardiff for a pre season friendly against Glamorgan Wanderers in good conditions. Understandably both sides looked rusty in their first competitive games in 17 months. However it was an entertaining game with both sides looking to play an expansive game. Bargoed dominated territory early on with their scrum and mauling game on top, but a number of errors meant that they couldn’t capitalise on this on the scoreboard. The Wanderers looked dangerous at times as they looked to play some expansive rugby but it was Bargoed who opened the scoring off a line-out and driving maul as hooker Wade Langley crashed over. Steff Jones converted to make it 7-0 Bargoed continued to dominate territory but stubborn defence from the hosts kept them out. This seemed to give the Wanderers some confidence and they started to apply consistent pressure on Bargoed who conceded a series of penalties. The Wanderers dominated both territory and possession and deservedly scored in the corner with a converted try to lead 7-5 at the break. Bargoed made some changes at half time with the experienced Adam Powell, Josh Prosser, Rhys Humphries, Rhys Buckley and Jonathan Evans coming off the bench, as Bargoed’s version of the Bomb Squad. Bargoed started the second half playing up the slope and stretched the Wanderers defence which resulted in wing Dylan Jones scoring in the corner on his debut. The visitors continued to apply pressure and took advantage of a line-out 15 metres out for Rhys Buckley to score. They increased their lead after good work by Adam Powell and Kieron Brown got them close to the hosts try line, and it was the skipper Kieron Brown who deservedly finished it off with a short range try close to the posts, with Steff Jones converting. Bargoed scored again a few minutes later after good work by James Locke and Jonathan Evans out busy back rower Keaton Davies away to score from 30 yards out. Jones converted to make it The hosts hit back with a well worked try which was converted to make it 30-14. However Bargoed quickly managed to get a foot hold in the hosts 22 and after a good build up outside half Rhys Thomas spotted a gap and took advantage to score a try under the posts, which Jones converted as Bargoed came out on top 38-12 The Coaching and Management staff will be pleased with the attacking intent and overall performance considering the challenges of the last 17 months. However they will also want to see an improvement in accuracy and discipline. Chairman Neil Carter was encouraged by the performance and stated ‘Its great to see rugby back and we thank Glamorgan Wanderers for hosting us in our first game back after a long lay off. I’m sure that there will be a few sore bodies tomorrow morning, and that both sides will build on this as we move into the competition phase next week’