Fixture

 A few hours before a man of the match performance to help the Ospreys deny double defending European champions Saracens, Justin Tipuric spent his afternoon at Gwyn St quietly watching the team he will help train at the same venue on Tuesday night.

At the opposite side of the ground, equally unobtrusive and modest stood another Welsh back-row legend, Rhigos own Dai Morris. Both would have been suitably impressed by a sterling Alltwen defensive performance in which the Alltwen back row of Alec Carne, no 8 Dan Owen and Jordan James excelled.

With handling conditions hampered by a constant drizzle, this was never going to be a match for purists and Rhigos set about their task determined to try to batter Alltwen into submission. Despite a constant bombardment however Alltwen’s defence held firm and during their only first half forays into the visitors 22, managed to come away with vital points on both occasions. Firstly with a penalty goal from fly half Sam Batty and then through a well-taken try from rampaging no8 Owen, converted by Batty.

Stung by the first half 10-3 deficit, Rhigos again began to apply the pressure, with the home side once again refusing to yield. From props Ross Jones and man of the match Tom Hopkins to wings Rhodri Lewis and Liam Roberts, nothing was allowed pass. Gareth Ireland ably filling at centre also impressed and with Jason Roberts assuming fly half control and giving Alltwen valuable relieving pressure the tide began to turn. Firstly, in a repeat of the first half raid Alec Carne finished superbly, enabling Jason Roberts to add the extras, having earlier converted a penalty. Then Ceiron Daniel, helped at that stage by brother Elgan, forced his way over from a maul, for ole Blue eyes himself Andrew Sinatra Roberts to then split the posts with a great strike.

A late well worked front of the line out try from the visitors was never going to suffice at that stage, by which time Tipuric had seen enough, obviously sufficiently inspired to do his own damage later. Dai Morris meantime, with nothing needed to prove, enjoyed a post match pint at the Alltwen clubhouse, where he is always welcome.

Coaches Jordan Hopkin and Alan Bevan will be anticipating a good turn out at Tuesday’s session with Justin and a repeat performance next Saturday at Banwen KO 14:30.