Fixture

Bargoed RFC Match Reports

The 1st XV entertained Cross Keys in the National Championship Cup at a sunny Bargoed Park and came out on top 35-7.

Bargoed started well and had the better of the opening exchanges and scored under the posts opened  when James Locke crashed over after a multi phase build up. Steff Jones converted to make it 7-0.

Cross Keys fought back and started to get some territorial advantage and on 16 minutes, after a series of pick and drives they managed to breach the Bargoed defence with Connor Vaughan getting the try. Curtis Povey converted to make it 7-7.

Bargoed looked like they had managed to restore their lead when Rhys Thomas went over in the corner after a superb chip and chase effort, but a foot in touch denied them.

The home side continued to have the upper hand with their powerful driving line-out and scrum, and it was hard working hooker Wade Langley who crashed over from a driving maul with Jones converting.

Bargoed continued to have the visitors in a strange-hold but bombed two chances in the Keys 22 with a handling error and a turnover as Keys continued to work hard in defence.

However on 31 minutes the hosts  scored again on a free play after a penalty had been awarded, with Josh Prosser putting in a pin point cross kick which saw Steff Thomas take to the air and score with a superb finish, Jones converted again to increase the lead.

Bargoed lost busy back rower Lewis Johnson to injury and Louis Blacker replaced him making his first appearance of the season.

Cross Keys bounced back and got themselves into a good position but excellent defensive work by Bargoed kept them out with the impressive Langley winning a key turnover.  Bargoed went in at half time pleased with the first half performance and leading 21-7

The second half was very different from the first with Keys dominating possession and territory for the first 25 minutes. Bargoed struggled to get out of their half as Keys turned the screw, but good defence kept them out.

Both sides made some changes and the Bargoed bench made an impact with the bomb squad of Jack Williams, Rhys Buckley, Geraint Edmonds adding some power up front and the more subtle skills of the experienced Rhys Humphries adding value behind the scrum.

Bargoed now had more possession in the Keys half and it was Geraint Edmonds who forced his way over after a patient build up in the Keys 22, to get the bonus point try with Jones converting.

Cross Keys showed great character and went back on the attack and again put the home side under the pump but an interception by Josh Prosser, and good support work by James Leadbeater put Rhys Humphries away to score at the other end, Jones converted to make the final score 35-7

Coach Vinny Lott was satisfied with the result but identified some issues that needed to improve stating ‘We’re pleased to get the win and the bonus point against a much improved and hard working side but we let ourselves down for the vast majority of that second half as individual errors and poor discipline cost us. However we did manage to keep our line intact in that second half, and we are really pleased with the work rate of the boys in defence.

We know that we’ve got more work to do, and the boys recognise that we left a few chances out there. They are working hard but we know we’ve got to push on, as we look to reach the play offs of this competition. We know that we’ll need to be at our best with some quality opposition ahead, including Bedwas who are next up for us in the cup group stages’

The Warriors travelled to Aberdare for a league match and came away winners by 39-21 scoring five tries through Keenan Davies, Jake Rees, Lewis Cooper, Logan Toy and Kyle Bailey.

There were some impressive performances with Jake Rees once again impressing out of position at loose head prop, but the Man of the Match was The Viking Logan Toy who put in a great performance also out of position in the back row.

The Youth were away at Garndiffaith and out in a great attacking performance to come away with a convincing 57-7 victory.