Fixture

Saturday started with a dark grey ominous sky like a bank robbers suit on sentencing day, but the clouds cleared to leave a sunny afternoon with both sides treating supporters to an exhilarating game of rugby.

 

Waunarlwydd started strongly with straight running from Waun centre keirion Lewis who was tackled well, good ball retention and good hands seen wing Julaen Goni-Mathews score in the corner, on his first team debut. Tondu answered back scoring the next two trys after clean breaks leading to pressure on the Waun try line,  both times being scored by pick and go tactics which was well worked by the Tondu pack. Tondu backs not to be outdone scored by bringing their winger into midfield who made good ground from half way, using the supporting players on hand to score under the posts to make the score 17-7. Waun then rallied scoring the next two trys utilising the blind side well. First saw Nathan Hart carry then James Cleary giving the ball back to Nathan who put Lee Evans into space to score under the posts. The second try saw James Cleary again involved,  passing to Waun centre Beck who drew the last defender and passed to Waun wing Julaen to score a second on an impressive first start for Waun. Elusive scrum half Lee Evans who runs like a centipede with 98 missing legs, dropped a goal from 30yds before the break. 

 

Half time Tondu 17 - 24 Waunarlwydd

 

The second half had a lot to live upto but continued where the first had started. Waun scoring with number 8 Nathan Hart who had an excellent game picking up from a scrum that was retreating and finished from 5yds out. Tondu then scored a short range try of their own, using the catch and drive from a 5m lineout, Waun defence having difficulty stopping the large Tondu pack from close quarters. Another try was soon to follow, a quick tap penalty and a few phases later seen Tondu level the score, then put over a penalty to make it 34 - 31 to Tondu with 15mins to play. Waun then put together the move of the match, turning the ball over on their own try line showing excellent ball retention and carrying, to make their way into the Tondu 22. After a quick tap from a penalty, the ball was put down by the Tondu defence, which was judged unfair by the referee who awarded the penalty try and handed out a yellow card. 34-38 for Waun but, the well balanced Tondu were not done yet and ran out deserved Victors by scoring a good try from the halfway line, supporting and finishing well to make the final score;

 

Tondu 41 - 38 Waunarlwydd

 

Both teams played an excellent brand of rugby which was great to watch and a good advert for the amateur game.

There were to many good performances to pick out individuals, so credit must be given to the coaches of both teams encouraging open exciting rugby. Knowing Waun coach Gary Howells well,  it would take a large tractor to plow the fertile fields of his mind. If todays game is anything to go by, the return fixture will be one not to be missed.