Fixture

Alltwen slipped to their first away league defeat of the season, as their stubborn resistance was eventually overcome by a fully committed Cefn Cribbwr side.

Only the first class facilities on offer at the home venue enabled this game to go ahead, after over 24 hours of the heaviest rain experienced in some time. With overhead conditions finally clearing by kick off, the playing surface was in remarkably good condition underfoot.

The home side set off as though on a mission, throwing everything at the Alltwen defence, which stood firm and allowed the side to work their way back into the game.

With the forwards driving maul proving a particularly effectively weapon, Alex Carne excelling at lineout and and centre Paul Morgan making some strong runs, the visitors were able to secure sufficient territory to enable fly-half Sam Parry to slot two penalty goals for a deserved 6-nil lead.

Alltwen’s cause was not helped however by a front row injury, which meant that scrums became non-contested, denying Ceiron Daniel and his pack the opportunity to push home their advantage. Instead it was Cefn Cribbwr who were able to capitalise from a territorial kick gain and cross in the corner from close range. An unlikely conversion in a gusty breeze meant that the home side turned around a single point to the good.

Playing with greater confidence perhaps as a result of the late first half score, Cefn Cribbwr began to assert a previously unexpected territorial dominance. Eventually the dam appeared to burst as the visitors defence was breached twice to give the home side a 19- 6 advantage.

Alltwen were not to be outdone however and it was two backs playing out of position that sparked a well deserved try.  Liam Roberts who played impressively at scrum half throughout did well to put Nicky Chart filling in for absentees at wing, over the whitewash. Parry added the extras.

At this point Alltwen were within a converted score of sneaking a win. The home side were then able to turn territory into further advantage with another score and then complete the job at the death following some very good interplay among the threequarters.

Coach Amer Hussein will nevertheless be pleased at his side’s game fight and look to recover momentum with a win over Pontycymer at Gwyn St November 24^th . Please note early kick off 14:00