News

Bargoed RFC Match Reports 

It was a tough day at the office on Saturday as both the 1st XV and Warriors were both defeated, but there were many positives to take from both games. The Youth were not in action yesterday due to the unavailability of a number of players.

The 1st XV travelled to Pontypridd and went down 53-19 in the Dafydd Lockyer Testimonial March at Sardis Road. 

The home side scored early when Bargoed failed to deal with a chip through and Dale Stuckey pounced on the indecision and went over in the corner. Ben Burnell converted from the touch line to make it 7-0 

They increased their lead to 14-0 
with a blindside attack that saw Joel Raikes get the try, again converted by Burnell.  

Bargoed bounced back and when they got some possession in the Ponty half a clever chip through by Steff Jones saw Dylan Williams gather and score, Jones converted to make it 14-7.

Bargoed lost Craig Attwell to an injury and Ashley Gibson replaced him on 11 minutes. 

Bargoed were struggling to secure line-out ball and this resulted in the home side attacking from a scrum and creating an overlap to score again and increase the lead to 19-7.

Pontypridd increased their lead when some poor defending wide out enabled wing Ioan Prys-Jones to score, making it 24-7 at half time.

Ponty scored again early in the second half with errors in defence from Bargoed again a factor. 

Bargoed fought back with Josh Prosser launching a cross kick which Jordan Howells skilfully took in mid air, before delivering the scoring pass to try scorer Steff Thomas. 

Bargoed made some changes with Jonathan Evans, Darren Humphries,  Duane Dyer and Rhys Thomas coming on after 45 minutes, and they started to look more threatening but again opportunities were missed. 

The visitors continued to pressure Pontypridd but inaccuracy at the line-out and in attack let them down. In this entertaining encounter the visitors struck back to score again and lead 41-12.

Bargoed then lost outstanding flanker Callum Davies on 63 minutes, for a late tackle and he was sent to the sin bin with a yellow card. 

Bargoed continued to try and push the Premiership outfit, and certainly showed great character with their work rate, and they narrowed the lead when Wade Langley went over from a driving line-out, converted by Jones to make it 41-19 with 15 minutes left.

Bargoed brought on Jack Williams, Kyle Bailey, Keegan Bale, Geraint Edmonds and Keaton Davies but unfortunately couldn’t close the gap on the Sardis Road side. They also  lost influential back rower Adam Powell to injury and it was the home side who turned up the gas to score two late tries and finish with a 53-17 victory.

Bargoed matched Pontypridd physically in the contact area, but will look to improve their defence and line-out against a sharp attacking outfit. Bargoed will now look to prepare for a return to the National Championship Cup with a tough away game against Bedwas on Saturday. 

The Warriors also had a tough encounter as they took on Division One East side Blaenavon at home. The Warriors once again had a youthful look to their side, and although it was a tough day they certainly battled with a great collective effort. 

Bargoed scored three tries through Aaron Elliott, Keenan Davies and the outstanding Adam Jones who also added the points with the boot, but eventually went down 43-19.

Bargoed faced an experienced and well organised outfit led by ex Pontypool fly half Richard Powell. However they once again showed great character playing against quality opposition. 

Bargoed lost promising young scrum half Lewis Cooper to injury but they competed well throughout with Jack Price and young Harry Thompson again excelling. Ryan Sadler and Aaron Elliott provided some bulk and experience up front and worked hard throughout. 

It was also great to see Luke Cusack back playing after a long lay off, and showing great form, but the Bargoed Man of the Match was the versatile Jake Rees, who was once again in superb form.