News

t was a mixed bag for Bargoed’s senior and youth sides on the weekend with the 1st XV winning at Cross Keys and the Warriors and Youth performing well but ultimately losing their games against Blaina and Newbridge.
1st XV
Bargoed travelled to a picturesque Pandy Park to take on Cross Keys in the second round of the National Championship Cup.
Bargoed started well and after good work by Jordan Howells and Adam Jones, flying wing Steff Thomas scored a try, converted by Steff Jones.
Bargoed lost wing Adam Jones to injury and Dylan Williams replaced him after 22 minutes.
Cross Keys bounced back and applied some pressure to Bargoed which resulted in a couple of penalties being awarded. Keys full back Curtis Povey was accurate with the boot on both occasions to close the gap to 7-6.
Bargoed responded well and dominated territory and possession for the remainder of the first half but a couple of errors at key times resulted in a couple of missed opportunities.
The visitors increased the lead when a patient build up and good work by the pack resulted in centre Darren Humphries bursting over close to the posts. Jones converted to out Bargoed 14-6 ahead.
Cross Keys were struggling for possession and conceded a couple of penalties. Bargoed took advantage and kicked to the corner and another good build up through a driving line-out saw hard working hooker Wade Langley crash over from close range after 27 minutes. Steff Jones converted again and the visitors were in front 20-6 at half time.
Bargoed were now well on top but a lack of accuracy in attack and good defence from the home side meant that they didn’t capitalise on this on the scoreboard.
Injuries to Ashley Gibson and Darren Humphries saw Ethan Lott and Rhys Humphries join the fray and make important contributions as Bargoed looked for the bonus point try.
When Cross Keys went down to 14 players after receiving a yellow card on 50 minutes, Bargoed took advantage and scored a great try from a loose kick.
Good work by the back three of Steff and Rhys Thomas and Dylan Williams saw them attack from deep and when the attack broke down close to the Keys line, Steff Jones ran a great line to crash over and get the bonus point try to lead 26-6.
Bargoed started to open up and play some great running rugby and good work from Rhys Humphries and Dylan Williams put the impressive James Leadbeater over after great support play, Jones again converted to make it 33-6.
Cross Keys continued to work hard and started to get some go forward. The home side showed real character as they moved the ball and it was centre Adam Tetley over for a try converted by Curtis Povey to close the gap and the game finished with a deserved 33-13 victory for Bargoed.
Head Coach Mike Pugsley was satisfied with the improvements made from the previous work ‘We know it’s a tough place to come and the boys worked hard and deserved the victory. We are pleased with the result and the way that we played for large parts of the game but we need to be more accurate as we missed a couple of opportunities. However on the whole it was an improvement on last week’
Congratulations to Ethan Lott who made his 1st XV debut joining Rhys Thomas in graduating from the Youth team into 1st XV National Championship rugby.
Warriors
The Warriors played in a rearranged  friendly fixture and entertained an experienced Blaina 1st XV at home with a number of players unavailable through injuries and holidays. However they put in a great performance against a side who are flying high at the moment.
The Warriors once again had a young side out, who acquitted themselves very well against tough opposition and a very well organised side.
There were some excellent performances with Glenn Lucas, Jake Rees and Jack Chamberlain, who had two disallowed tries  impressing up front. Ian Jenkins, Aeron Hughes and Greg Callow brought some experience behind the scrum to a very young side.
The hard working pair of hooker Logan Richards and full back Keenan Davies got the home sides tries and Greg Callow kicked the points in a 34-14 defeat.
There were many positives from this game with the home side working hard throughout and the score line certainly didn’t reflect the game,  as Bargoed competed throughout and will be disappointed with the score line but not the performance.
Best wishes to young back rower Dom Steggall who picked up an elbow injury and had to have hospital treatment.
Youth
Bargoed’s league game was cancelled in the week so on Saturday they played a strong Newbridge side. They lost 37-7 but the effort and attitude were excellent against quality opposition.
Bargoed tried to play from deep too much and failed to play in the right areas of the field and when errors were made them were costly.
Newbridge dominated the territorial game and put Bargoed under pressure for long periods in their own half.
Bargoed’s points were scored by Morgan Williams who got the try and Rhys Brewer converted.
Head Coach Steve Rose stated ‘We know that we can improve on this and compete with good sides like Newbridge, but we need to have more go forward, improve our accuracy and play in the right areas.
This group of players will be hurting after that defeat but will learn and improve from the experience. They’re a great bunch of boys who are thirsty for work so I can’t fault the attitude but the application needs to be better