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11 September 2017 / Club News

'Thou Shall not pass' Gandalf

There is no match report that will truly explain the effort demonstrated in Saturdays game and no picture that can show the sheer determination and grit that was exhausted.

“We leave nothing but blood, sweat and tears on the pitch and I don’t care what order they come” is the phrase echoed throughout the Welfare ground during the team warm up.

Newport Saracens RFC finished 3rd in the league above Pontllanfraith RFC last season and did so in style; several high pointed games which saw 80+ points being scored against us combing the home and away fixture! So, the squad knew it was going to be a challenge.

However, this season is different. Pont RFC accepted the challenge, the squad accepted the Saracens had a big sharp backline and accepted that the pack would be aggressive and hard running. What the visitors had to accept was the rejuvenated Pont RFC Squad -accept our hard-hitting pack and our backline.

To sum the game up in simple terms; it was like an 80 minute Shaun Edwards drill with the ball being split 60/40 in Saracens favour.

The first 40 minutes’ saw Pont RFC defending in their 22 with 5 metre lineouts after 5 metre scrums after 5 metre lineouts (you get the idea) but still no line breaks, no points conceded, no Saracens player even looked like passing over the white wash.

The 2nd half saw Pont RFC have a little more possession which enabled fly half Andrew Deneen to use centre Ben walker on a few direct hits as well as playing the field and pinging the corners with boot to ball. The Pont RFC pack were forever visible around the fringes and the set structure the coaching team worked so hard to embed never seemed like weakening.

Then it happened. Pont RFC were defending a 5 metre scrum when the scrum started to angle and disperse the referee made the decision to award a very dubious penalty try, which is now an automatic 7 pointer.

The rest of the game saw Pont RFC take it to Saracens and although there were injuries in the game the bench filled their spots and gave 100%. Every man on that pitch defended with no remorse for their bodies, every man carried the ball hard into contact, every ruck was met with the clattering of bodies. Pont RFC managed to break the line once or twice and with the backline flashing and creating overlaps there were a few opportunities to capitalise but the ball had other ideas.

 

The game finished Pontllanfraith RFC 0-7 Newport Saracens RFC but a losing bonus point was achieved which could be crucial come the end of the season.

 

What people reading this need to understand is this is not a defeat in our eyes and there are many positives that come from this result.

  1. The sheer strength of depth that this squad has this year is beyond belief. 6 backline member’s unavailable with a further injury in the game. Backrow not available yet we still fielded a very strong team and provided a bench of not substitutes but impact players.

  2. Last year we conceded 80+ points against the same opponent. The coaching teams new structure defensively works. At no point during that game did Newport Saracens RFC look like scoring, even when the line was broken there was always someone there covering.

  3. The squad demonstrated that they would go to war for the badge, they would give blood, sweat and tears for each other against anyone.

 

The squad is absolutely buzzing for the next league game but firstly we have two massive training sessions ahead and a cup tie against New Tredegar RFC on 16th September 2017

Man of the match – Joel Parry – the Pont RFC blindside and vice-captain stood up and filled the gap at number 8 for the game. His defensive display and work around the fringes is exactly what the coaching team needs to see. Great display once again.

Dick of the day – Nathan Meyrick – The captain decided to take a quick restart after conceding the penalty try and hoofed the ball like a young (Ginger) Gavin Henson only to see the ball end up across the dead ball line and into the next village.

#F4L

 

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