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Pre-season training with coach Matt Silva

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Mallett Cup Final

RUMNEY ATHLETIC v UWIC 2nd XV

The Memorial Ground, Ely, Cardiff
Tuesday 26th May 2009, k.o. 7.00 pm

Rumney : 1. Kevin O 'Connor 2.Shaun Spavin 3. Dai Evans 4. Mike Young 5.Shaun o'Connor 6. Emyr James 7. Simon Barry 8. Mathew Way ( Capt. ) 9. Lewis Andrews 10. Anthony Soloman 11. Anthony Leach 12. Mike Rowe 13. Lewis Fox 14. Kyle Blake 15. Richard Read.
16. Jason Page . 17. Jason Kemble 18. Chris Miller 19. Daniel Morris 20. Andrew McCormack 21. Mike Bendon 22. Ben Morris

Coaches : Shaun Hill & Terry Gee

Colours : Blue & White

Rumney Athletic 3 UWIC 2nd XV 12

Scorer for Rumney Athletic : Anthony Solomon penalty

Ninian Stuart Cup Final

RUMNEY 3rd XV v CLWB RYGBI 2nd XV

The Memorial Ground, Ely, Cardiff
Wednesday 27th May 2009, k.o. 7.00 pm

Rumney : 1. John Popple 2. Robbie Regan ( Capt. ) 3. Craig Fitzpatrick 4. Andrew Davies 5. Liam Norman 6. James O'Donnell 7.Stephen Page 8. Simon Greedy 9. Lee Miller 10. Mark Gains 11. Greg Milsom 12. Mathew Hurley 13. Martin Buckley 14. Scott Oliver 15. Kieron O'Sullivan.
16. Mike Carey 17. Dave Lewis 18. Lewis Rappa 19. Barry Chambers 20. Gareth Niblett 21. David Evans

Coaches : Mathew Williams & Neil Chapman

Colours : Blue & Black

Rumney 3rd XV 27 Clwb Rygbi 2nd XV 28

Scorers for Rumney 3rd XV : Simon Greedy 3 tries, Craig Fitzpatrick try, Matthew Hurley penalty and 2 conversions

Scorers for Clwb Rygbi 2nd XV : Gareth Davies try, Alun Gruffudd try, Iolo Hughes 2 tries and 4 conversions

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Gareth Davies (32 mins), Simon Greedy (37 mins), Iolo Hughes (40 mins), Simon Greedy (51 mins and 54 mins), Craig Fitzpatrick (61 mins), Alun Gruffudd (69 mins), Iolo Hughes (80 mins)

East District 2nd XV Cup 2008 - 2009 Final

RUMNEY ATHLETIC v GLAMORGAN WANDERERS 2nd XV

Riverside Park, Rumney
Tuesday 12th May 2009, k.o. 7.00pm

RUMNEY ATHLETIC 17 GLAMORGAN WANDERERS 2nd XV 19

Scorers for Rumney Athletic : Lewis Fox try, Lewis Andrews 4 penalties

SWALEC League Division 1 East

PENALLTA v RUMNEY

Penallta RFC
Thursday 8th May 2009, k.o. 7.30pm

Rumney v Penallta 13.09.2008
Past playing record : played 2, Rumney 1 win, Penallta 1 win

Rumney : 15.Ben Morris 14.Lincoln Plummer 13.Danny Clark 12.Michael Bendon 11.Richard Read 10.Anthony Solomon 9.Rob Jones 1.John Leadbeatter 2.Michael Feneck 3.Darren Fenton 4.Paul Bull 5.Joe Mills 6.Ryan Sutton 7.Simon Barry 8.Matthew Way Replacements : 16.David Evans 17.Colin O'Donoghue 18.Terry Gee 19.Chris Milton 20.Lewis Fox

Referee : C. Langdon

Penallta 25 Rumney 10

Scorers for Rumney : Michael Bendon try, Danny Clark conversion and penalty

Scorers for Penallta : James Powell try, Keiron Mahoney try, Dale Powell try, Steve Richards try and conversion and penalty

An unexpectedly cold, wet and windy night marked the final game of the season as Rumney travelled to Trinity Fields to meet Penallta, the side whom they played in the opening game of the 2008-2009 campaign. The Pitmen started briskly, going through a number of set moves but the visitors countered well with centre Danny Clark attacking from deep and kicking a penalty in the sixth minute. The home side applied pressure through their well marshalled forwards and Rumney conceded penalties. At this point the heavens opened, providing the sort of conditions that hampered handling, though Rumney half backs Rob Jones and Anthony Solomon worked well and Clark continued to kick his side into good positions. The Rumney front row of John Leadbeatter, Michael Feneck and Darren Fenton ran powerfully at the opposition, Leadbeatter aggressively making the use of any possession, and in the thirty second minute a long period of pressure under the Penallta posts led to the homeside trying to run out of defence and following a fumble, Rumney centre Michael Bendon pounced on the loose ball for the opening try. Clark's conversion gave his side what looked like a comfortable 0 - 10 advantage, but the Pitmen responded by making more use of their fast running threequarters and were only initially kept out by excellent tackles from Rumney fullback Ben Morris and backrow players Matthew Way, Ryan Sutton and Simon Barry. Still having the upper hand in the scrums and multiple phases, but now giving away several penalties, Rumney arrived at half time with their lead still protected.

The visitors approached the restart with positive drives and breaks led by second rows Joe Mills and Paul Bull, and wingers Richard Read and Lincoln Plummer attacking down the flanks but four minutes into the half a lost lineout ball gave Penallta hooker and Captain Dale Powell the chance to peel around the back of the line and start a close range movement which was finished off by a devestating run by winger James Powell, the flyer touching down near the posts and setting up the conversion for centre Steve Richards to bring the score to 7 - 10. Five minutes later the indiscipline which had dogged Rumney in numerous games, reappeared and Mr Langdon awarded a series of penalties, the last of which was quickly taken by Richards who dived over for another try. Having now taken the lead at 12 - 10 Penallta concentrated on close, high speed forward play with scrum half Howie Walsh making effective variations when necessary. Forwards David Evans and Colin O'Donoghue had taken the field for the visitors and continued the attacking approach from set pieces and in the loose, O'Donoghue ripping balls out and gaining valuable possession. Rumney centre Lewis Fox looked threatening with ball in hand, Plummer and Read probed the wings and scrum half Chris Milton was excellent in his harassing and tackling of Penallta forwards, but the Pitmen had realised that they were most successful when they kept possession and worked through phases, using Walsh to make breaks when gaps appeared. In the sixty eighth minute a clever, set move at the lineout saw Powell repeat his end of the line peel but this time the mobile hooker went by himself and evaded tacklers to score a fine opportunist try. Now trailing by 17 - 10 Rumney were again called upon to defend, Morris, Way, Sutton and second row Terry Gee bringing off essential tackles but more indiscipline led to penalties being conceded and in the seventy second minute Richards slotted a place kick for a further three points. Penallta created another good try in the seventy fifth minute when, following a neat handling movement, flanker Keiron Mahoney hared over to touch down, the Pitmen having scored all their twenty five points in a remarkable second half revival and running out winners at 25 - 10.

Right: Steve Ford (left) and Michael Peard (right)

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "We started the year by losing six of our first games and because it was not working out for us, we had to try and do a few things differently. We brought some new ideas into our training and that seemed to work, we knew we had the ability in the side and had to believe in ourselves. We were near the bottom of the league but the boys stuck together, knowing we had to be more physical and sort out our scrum. We didn't have a tight head until Christmas time and then Darren Fenton arrived and having a prop of his quality in the side, we started winning our games. We gained confidence in the set piece and we found ourseleves going forward in the scrums, our lineout was good anyway and confidence spread through the side. We had a couple of games under our belts but then unfortunately picked up injuries to key players, you have to accept that as part of the game, it happens to all teams, but you deal with them and have confidence in the guys coming in, so we rallied and pulled through in the end. I firmly believe that if everyone stopped paying players, there is no doubt that we would be in the top part of this league. It is difficult to compete against clubs who don't rely on their youth sections and buy in players. This is where we have got it absolutely right with our second and third teams and our youth section, all of which we rely on. I'm not forgetting that these boys play for the love of the game and not having to buy anyone in has paid dividends for us, we have been so successful with the group of players that we have got. I'm stepping down after four years in charge, it was not an easy decision for me having got to know the boys on and off the pitch. I see myself as a friend to them and after four years I feel they need a new voice, it's just a change of personnel and I'm sure we'll get the right person for the job. I'd like to thank everyone for their support, Chairman Alan Paynter, Team Manager Con Ritchie and all the players who showed that they have a lot of respect and are willing to learn, and this is why I hope that the next coach realises what a good group he has to work with. Special thanks to Forwards Coach Mike Peard, who has done an excellent job, the Head Coach has to have a good right hand man and we have worked really well together. Captain Paul Niblett and Vice Captain Michael Feneck have been totally keen and committed and it has been an absolute pleasure working with these boys, I am sure that whoever is captain next year will have their full support."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Michael Bendon (6 minutes), James Powell (44 mins), Steve Richard (49 mins), Dale Powell (68 mins), Keiron Mahoney (75 mins)

Cardiff and District Youth Cup - Semi Final

RUMNEY YOUTH v GLAMORGAN WANDERERS YOUTH

Tremorfa Park, Cardiff
Wednesday 7th May 2009, k.o. 6.30pm

Rumney Youth 17 Glamorgan Wanderers 32

East District 2nd XV Cup 2008 - 2009 Semi Final

RUMNEY ATHLETIC v PENTYRCH 2nd XV

Pontyclun RFC
Wednesday 7th May 2009, k.o. 6.15 pm

Rumney Athletic 68 Pentyrch 2nd XV 5

SWALEC League Division 1 East

BARGOED v RUMNEY

Bargoed Park
Saturday 2nd May 2009, k.o. 2.30pm

Rumney v Bargoed 28.02.2009
Past playing record : Played 5 games, Bargoed 5 wins, Rumney 0 wins

Rumney : 15. Ben Morris 14. Lincoln Plummer 13. Paul Niblett (Capt) 12. Michael Bendon 11. Lewis Fox 10. Danny Clark 9. Chris Milton 1. John Leadbeatter 2. Michael Feneck 3. Darren Fenton 4. Michael Kelly 5. Joe Mills 6.Ryan Fenton 7. Ryan Sutton 8. Simon Barry Replacements : 16.David Evans 17.Neal Ritchie 18.Michael Young 19. Rob Jones 20.Anthony Leech

Bargoed 29 Rumney 15

Bargoed No8 Lewis Wayman was the pivot for the home team in the early part of the game, gaining turnovers and setting up phases until his side were into the Rumney twenty two, where the ball was switched wide and centres Rhys and Darren Humphries broke the defence and sent winger Gary Jones in for the first try after eleven minutes. A period of ragged play followed and Rumney did well through accurate kicking by outside half Danny Clark, fine lineout work from flanker Ryan Sutton and strong defence by fullback Ben Morris, but as they moved into attacking mode, building up effectively, Rhys Humphries made an interception and sprinted sixty metres for Bargoed's second try. Outside half Danny Jones added the conversion to put the home side ahead at 12 - 0 and despite good forward work by the visiting pack and more lineout possession from No8 Simon Barry, Bargoed's backs produced a neat handling movement for Jones to score his second try after twenty one minutes. Rumney's response was to tighten their approach and create powerful phased play, the forwards and backs linking well to gain territory, but in the twenty seventh minute they conceded a penalty on their ten metre line and Jones tapped and released his centres before regaining the ball, scoring the try himself and putting over the conversion. Now trailing 24 - 0 the concerted, controlled pressure of the Rumney forwards began to take its toll and the excellent scrummaging of the front row of Darren Fenton, Michael Feneck and John Leadbeatter allowed the visiting pack to push back the opposition and Barry to pick up and dive over for his side's first try. Barry was soon back in the thick of things, he and second rows Joe Mills and Michael Kelly putting in strong bursts and flankers Sutton and Ryan Fenton pouncing on loose balls and cutting down attacks. The Rumney centres Paul Niblett and Michael Bendon looked sharp in midfield, as did Chris Milton at scrum half, but the home defence was solid and the half time scoreboard read Bargoed 24 Rumney 5.

Both sides started the second half well, the home backs continuing to menace and Rumney conceding penalties, but a great pick up and burst downfield by Rumney wing Lewis Fox, and impressive drives by Barry, Kelly and both Fentons indicated that the visitors were coming far more into the game, though the Bargoed defensive line was still proving very difficult to disrupt. David Evans came on at prop for Rumney and he, Leadbeatter and Sutton stepped up the pressure with drives and effective ball carrying. Michael Young took the field for Rumney at second row and Anthony Leach on the wing, both players immediately turning in committed performances. Morris continued to kick and follow up well and on the left wing Lincoln Plummer was aggressive in attacking down the tramlines. In what was proving to be their best period so far, Rumney forced a series of penalties in good positions and in the twenty ninth minute were awarded a scrum on the half way line, which gave them the chance to build on their strong platform and take the ball on, their back row forwards controlling the drive. Rob Jones was now at scrum half and he released the ball from the base of the scrum, his snap pass putting Clark in space and the fly half produced a brilliant chip and chase, gathering his own kick and streaking over for an oustanding solo try. The Rumney revival continued in the seventy fourth minute when Jones tapped a quick penalty near his own line, and fed Fox, who put in a good kick downfield and saw Plummer steaming after it to outpace the defence and touch down for another brilliant try. With little time remaining, Bargoed had a scrum fifteen metres into the Rumney half, from which Wayman broke through midfield, casting off tacklers and scoring the final try of the game, Mr Wycherley's whistle soon bringing this exciting match to an end at 29 - 15.

Right : Rob Jones

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Gary Jones (11 mins), Rhys Humphries (16 mins), Gary Jones (21 mins), Danny Jones (28 mins), Simon Barry (36 mins), Danny Clark (69 mins), Lincoln Plummer (74 mins), Lewis Wayman (77 mins)

Click here to watch the whole game

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BEDDAU YOUTH v RUMNEY YOUTH

Beddau RFC, Pontypridd
Saturday 2nd May 2009, k.o. 2.30pm

Beddau Youth 7 Rumney Youth 17

Mallett Cup Semi Final

RUMNEY ATHLETIC v CIAC

Tremorfa Park, Cardiff
Tuesday 28th April 2009, k.o. 6.00 pm

Rumney Athletic 17 CIAC 3

Scorers for Rumney Athletic : Lewis Fox 2 tries, David Evans try, Anthony Solomon conversion

Ninian Stuart Cup Semi Final

RUMNEY 3rd XV v LLANDAFF NORTH 3rd XV

Tremorfa Park, Cardiff
Wednesday 29th April 2009, k.o. 6.00 pm

RUMNEY 3rd XV 44 LLANDAFF NORTH 3rd XV 7

SWALEC League Division 1 East

RUMNEY v MERTHYR

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 25th April 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney v Merthyr 18.09.04
Past playing record : played 20, Merthyr 10 wins, Rumney 7 wins, 3 draws

Rumney : 15. Ben Morris 14. Richard Read 13. Paul Niblett (Capt) 12. Anthony Jones 11. Tom Daly 10. Danny Clark 9. Chris Milton 1. John Leadbeatter 2. Colin O'Donoghue 3. David Evans 4. Paul Bull 5. Joe Mills 6. Simon Barry 7. Ryan Sutton 8. Michael Kelly Replacements : 16. Michael Feneck 17. Emyr James 18. Matt Russell 19. Rob Jones 20. Matthew Way

Merthyr : 15. Tom Griffin 14. Dan Hitchins 13. Adam Williams 12. Ben Warburton 11. Daniel Davies 10. Lloyd Hynes 9. Garin Lucas 1. John Difford (Capt) 2. Daniel Snape 3. Rhys James 4. Bob Mordeacai 5. Kreighton Rees 6. Darren Lynch 7. Matthew Rees 8. Rhys Miles Replacements : 16. James Howe 17. Sam Wahdan 18. Lloyd Wood 19. Darryl Jenkins 20. Blethyn Rees

Referee : Gareth Saunders, Rhydyfelin, Pontypridd

Rumney 34 Merthyr 16

Scorers for Rumney : Tom Daly try, Chris Milton 3 tries, Matthew Way try, Danny Clark penalty and three conversions

Scorers for Merthyr : Dan Hitchins try, Sam Wahdan try, Lloyd Hynes 2 penalties

Rumney No8 Michael Kelly took the first ball of the game and rampaged into Merthyr, speedy winger Richard Reed made a good chip and chase deep into their territory and Kelly, second rows Paul Bull and mighty Joe Mills followed up with powerful assaults. At the first scrum Rumney were dominant and with scrum half Chris Milton operating at full tilt, the visitors were penned in their own half, finally conceding a penalty which home outside half Danny Clark immediately slotted for an early, opening score. Rumney flankers Ryan Sutton and Simon Barry held sway at the lineouts and Clark and Milton continued to control play, but Merthyr were now starting to take the game to Rumney, No8 Rhys Myles setting up drives from set pieces and second rows Bob Mordecai and Kreighton Rees leading tight rolling mauls, and in the sixteenth minute outside half Lloyd Hughes levelled the scores with a successful penalty. Sutton impressed under the high ball and in loose play, and Reed gathered kicks well and ran back at the opposition, Clark maintained his long distance touchfinders and Ben Morris counterattacked from deep, but Merthyr were also sharp on the counter and one length of the field attack by centres Adam Williams and Ben Warburton showed how dangerous they could be. The Rumney front row of John Leadbeatter, Colin O'Donoghue and David Evans scrummaged brilliantly but were also in evidence on the attack, Leadbeatter in particular ripping possession and winning turnovers, while Kelly, Bull and Sutton drove forward and also defended tirelessly. In the thirty fourth minute Sutton took clean lineout possession and set up a phased forward movement which ended with Evans and Barry racing down the wing and putting Milton in for his first try, Clark's conversion placing Rumney back in the lead at 10 - 3. Another lengthy period of pressure by the Merthyr pack, and a very threatening break by fullback Tom Griffin, found Rumney on the backfoot and giving away penalties, and in the thirty eighth minute Hynes slotted a second penalty for a halftime score of 10 - 6.

The second period began with more positive work by Rumney, Evans doing a lot of ballcarrying, centres Paul Niblett and Anthony Jones bustling in midfield and wingers Reed and Tom Daly attacking at speed, but in the forty fifth minute Merthyr struck back when scrum half Garin Lucas set off on a superb, long range break from the base of a scrum and put winger Dan Hitchins in at the corner for an outstanding try. In the fiftieth minute more excellent scrummaging by the Rumney front row had the Ironmen's scrum creaking near their goal line and when Sutton shot around the base and caused havoc, Milton was on hand to pounce and snap up an opportunist try. Clark's conversion restored his side's lead at 17 - 11 and with Sutton again racing upfield to harrass defenders, and Leadbeatter and O'Donoghue driving on, the home side gained a lot of territory with Bull and Morris stabilising phases at the contact areas. In the sixty second minute the Rumney forwards drove deep into the Merthyr twenty two and Clark switched wide, his excellent long pass finding Captain Niblett who scythed and dummied his way through defenders for a top quality try. Matt Russell came on at prop for Rumney and immediately ripped opposition ball for a turnover, and Matthew Way, now at No8, added to the home side's attacking options, working well with Niblett to take play upfield. In the sixty second minute it was Way who broke rapidly from the base of an attacking scrum and linked with Milton for the scrum half to scorch over for his hat trick of tries. Another strong period for Merthyr followed, Rumney relying on Way's tackling and counterattacks by Clark and Jones to keep the Ironmen out, but in the seventy second minute Merthyr started an attack from within their own twenty two, Lucas and Hitchins again splitting the defence and prop Sam Wahdan finishing off another brilliant try. The game was now very open and intense, Emyr James and Michael Feneck taking the field for Rumney, breaking down dangerous Merthyr moves and gaining valuable possession, and Rob Jones at scrum half playing a very fast game and keeping up the high paced attacks. In the seventy seventh minute Way completed a spectacular return to the Ist XV when he followed up a Clark midfield break and gathered a neat pass to power over for the final try, Clark's conversion bringing the curtain down on a game which was an excellent advertisement for First Division rugby, at 34 - 16.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "It was a three day turnaround after the Caerphilly game and we had a couple of injury issues so we had to try and play more conservatively today, not playing fifteen man rugby from the start and keeping something in the tank for the last quarter. The first half was relatively quiet, we gave away nine penalties and missed tackles but we were still winning at half time. The set piece was fine, as it has been all season, but Merthyr were strong in the ruck and maul and we had to move it around the park. Merthyr were also dangerous on the counterattack so we spoke about keeping our discipline and tightening the defence. We needed a couple of quick rucks to move things a bit wider and that's what we did, we played with a lot of confidence in the second half. It was important to win this game, we ran Merthyr close earlier in the year and today it showed what a good outfit we are. We were looking to improve on that game, today the lineouts were equal but we put their scrum under pressure and our general play outside the set piece was good. Danny Clark had a great game putting us in the corners, when we were under pressure he kept Merthyr out and when we won a turnover on our line he cleaned up and led to a try for us. In this division you sometimes need to be technical and play for position, we dug deep in the last twenty minutes and scored some good tries, the boys were out on their feet after playing three games in a week but it shows what they are capable of doing. Sometimes you might lack a bit of self belief but you have got to back yourself as a player and try things, sometimes it doesn't work out but you have to have the confidence to try it a second time, and I think that's what we did today, hopefully we can build on this and finish the season on a high. It was very difficult at times, we had to dig deep and full credit to the boys, today they pulled a great win out of the bag. A special mention goes to the forwards, the front row have done a marvelous job all season and given us a great platform. Danny Clark is a top outside half, he controls our game and I take my hat off to him, he is a very important member of the side and we need to recognise how lucky we are to have a guy like him playing for us. Today's Man of the Match Chris Milton had a superb game."

Chris Milton, scrum half Rumney 1st XV : "It was a great game to play in, the forwards were superb. Merthyr were big but we moved them around and the way we played the ball at the contact area caused problems for them. Our possession was good, it was the best I've had all year. One of my tries was a run in and another came from the forwards, they drove over and I pounced on it, and Matthew Way put me over in the corner for my third try. Special mention must go to Paul Niblett on his first game back, he played very well and capped it off with a try. Simon Barry and Matthew Way had very good games too."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Chris Milton (34 mins), Dan Hitchins (45 mins), Chris Milton (50 mins), Paul Niblett (62 mins), Chris Milton (70 mins), Sam Wahdan (72 mins), Matthew Way (77 mins)

Click here to watch the whole game

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Cardiff and District Youth Cup - Quarter Final

CANTON YOUTH v RUMNEY YOUTH

Canton RFC, Cardiff
Saturday 25th April 2009, k.o. 2.30pm

Canton Youth 18 Rumney Youth 18

Rumney progress to Semi Final on tries

SWALEC League Division 1 East

RUMNEY v CAERPHILLY

Riverside Park, Rumney
Wednesday 22nd April 2009, k.o. 7.15pm

Caerphilly v Rumney 20.09.2008
Past playing record: played 8, Caerphilly 8 wins, Rumney 0 wins.

Rumney : 15.Tom Daly 14.Lincoln Plummer 13.Anthony Jones 12.Michael Bendon 11.Tom Powell 10.Danny Clark 9.Ben Morris 1.John Leadbeatter (Capt) 2.Colin O'Donoghue 3.A.N. Other 4.Paul Bull 5.Michael Kelly 6.Ryan Sutton 7.Simon Barry 8.Neil Coles Replacements : 16.Darren Fenton 17.Michael Feneck 18.Emyr James 19.Joe Mills 20.Chris Milton

Referee : Chris Williams, Port Talbot

Rumney 19 Caerphilly 17

Fine, dry weather and a firm surface were the ideal conditions for a stunning performance from Rumney, resulting in victory over one of the Division's top teams and a side whom they had never previously beaten in the League. Caerphilly made a storming start but immediately found home outside half Danny Clark in top kicking form and putting in fifty metre touchfinders. Rumney scrum half Ben Morris and second row Paul Bull drove forward at the first opportunity and runs from flanker Simon Barry, No8 Neil Coles, hooker Colin O'Donoghue and prop Darren Fenton appeared to rattle the visitors and pin them in their own half of the field. Caerphilly were very efficient however, and prevented any scores until the twelfth minute when home second row Michael Kelly pounded forward and set up second phase possession, centre Anthony Jones thundered at the opposition and a subsequent high speed passing movement put flying winger Tom Daly in enough space to jink over in the corner. Leading 5 - 0 Rumney again took play into the Caerphilly half and wingers Tom Powell and Lincoln Plummer and Daly produced decisive tackles to cut down counterattacks. In midfield O'Donoghue and Kelly kept the home side moving forward and props John Leadbeatter and Fenton pounced on any loose balls to set up phases, while Clark maintained his accurate line kicking. Although Rumney had the upper hand in the scrums, the Caerphilly lineout had been secure from the start, providing quality ball and in the twenty first minute quick possession at the back of a line seemed to offer the opportunity for a threequarter movement but a neat flick inside by outside half Dan Ellis deceived the defenders and centre Gareth Miles raced under the posts for a fine try, Ellis's conversion putting The Cheesemen into a 5 - 7 lead. From the restart Caerphilly No8 and Captain Sam Feehan and scrum half Alun Ford started a blindside movement which sent winger Steffan Sankala down the tramlines and in for a try, Ellis adding the extra points to stretch the lead to 5 - 14. Undaunted, Rumney returned to the offensive and an excellent drive by Fenton led to Caerphilly defenders straying offside and Clark kicked a penalty, but powerful No8 Neil Coles had to retire injured and was replaced by athletic second row Emyr James. Clark was now proving very difficult to contain, breaking through tackles and gaining territory, Morris and Bull counterattacked and James, O'Donoghue and flanker Ryan Sutton maintained the pressure in midfield. Sutton had again dominated and controlled the lineouts with James also taking good, high ball and although Rumney were mostly moving forward, an excellent cover tackle by Fenton prevented a certain try when Caerphilly counterattacked, but on the stroke of half time Ellis slotted another penalty to establish an 8 - 17 lead at the interval.

An aggressive restart by Rumney, with scrum half Chris Milton now on and probing and snapping from the base of the set pieces, found them pushing the Caerphilly eight back in the scrums and moving the ball wider, making use of Jones' power in the centre but also conceding penalties and not turning pressure into points, until the sixty second minute when the Caerphilly defenders were caught offside and Clark narrowed the gap to 11 - 17. Second row Joe Mills came on for Rumney and put in a storming performance, and hooker Michael Feneck also took the field, fitting superbly into the reorganised pack. Rumney's outstanding No8 Michael Kelly was a constant to problem for the Caerphilly defence with his breaks from the base of the scrum and in the seventy fourth minute more excellent lineout work by Sutton sent Bull heading towards the corner and allowing Milton to make a brilliant pickup from the floor and dive over for the touchdown. Still trailing by a single point, the home side stepped up the pressure and in the seventy seventh minute a clever chip by Milton was followed up by Morris and Leadbeatter to create a good platform for Clark to slot a precise match winning drop goal.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "Our game plan tonight was to go wide at every opportunity and play fifteen man rugby. The first twenty minutes were good and we tried to get quick phase play but we lost nine or ten offloads because of the tempo of rugby we were trying to play. There were times when we just needed to hold the ball and be patient, and although we lost a bit of shape we did play some great rugby. Our set piece was superb, especially the scrum, and the last fifteen minutes was when we really had to dig in, if I'm honest our scrum won us the game, it is mentally refreshing when the scrum goes forward and you are not playing off the back foot. We really worked hard tonight and played great rugby but we also played some schoolboy rugby too, we needed to close it up and not get carried away. All credit to our boys, we've worked hard for the whole season. Caerphilly are one of the top sides and it's nice to turn them over, they had their chance to win in the end but we had done more than enough to win it. A special mention goes to all the forwards, it was nothing short of rolling up their sleeves and finding something to take us through the last twenty minutes, the forwards were absolutely superb and Colin O'Donoghue was the Man of the Match."

Ben Morris, scrum half Rumney 1st XV : "We were on top for most of the game although Caerphilly did have a couple of breakaways. We were strong in the scrums and that went well, but there were a couple of offloads that didn't go to hand. Injuries disrupted it a bit but the whole pack played well and it was good scrummaging effort from the boys, they kept dogging away and got us our first win against Caerphilly."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Tom Daly (12 mins), Gareth Miles (21 mins), Steffan Sankala (23 mins), Chris Milton (74 mins), Danny Clark (drop goal 77 mins)

SWALEC League Division 1 East

LLANHARAN v RUMNEY

The Dairy Field, Llanharan
Saturday 18th April 2009, k.o. 2.30pm

Llanharan v Rumney 13.10.2007
Past playing record : played 16 games, Rumney 6 wins, Llanharan 10 wins

Rumney : 15.Andrew Carlson 14.Lincoln Plummer 13.Lewis Fox 12.Michael Bendon 11.Tom Powell 10.Danny Clark 9.Chris Milton 1.David Evans 2.Michael Feneck (Capt) 3.John Leadbeatter 4.Emyr James 5.Joe Mills 6.Ryan Fenton 7.Simon Barry 8.Michael Kelly Replacements : 16.Darren Fenton 17.Colin O'Donoghue 18.Ben Morris 19.Anthony Jones 20.Michael Young

Referee : Paul Richards, Droitwich

LLANHARAN 38 RUMNEY 22

Scorers for Rumney : Michael Bendon try, Darren Fenton try, Lewis Fox try, Daniel Clark 2 conversions and penalty

Scorers for Llanharan : Gareth Wyn-Jones 2 tries, Lee Thorne 2 tries, Craig Burton try, Ross Pearce 2 conversions and 3 penalties

The Rumney forwards showed a very well organised approach in the opening period, going through multiple phases, putting pressure on the Llanharan pack and enjoying clean lineout possession from second row Emyr James and flanker Simon Barry, with prop John Leadbeatter and second row Joe Mills making powerful solo drives at the opposition. The home side conceded a penalty in the ninth minute and visiting outside half Danny Clark opened the scoring with a successful kick at goal, but The Dairymen came back with a sustained period of pressure of their own, based on close passing and tight work in the forward exchanges, and in the twenty first minute this approach led to centre Lee Thorne bursting through tackles to score a corner try. Three minutes later Thorne counterattacked from his own half and brushed aside more weak tackles to go all the way and score an impressive second try, outside half Ross Pearce's conversion taking the home side into a 12 - 3 lead. The Rumney forwards continued to press and dominate territorially, their front row of Darren Fenton, hooker Michael Feneck and Leadbeatter scrummaging superbly and the back row of Ryan Fenton, Michael Kelly and Barry rampaging in attack and defence. Scrum half Chris Milton kept the pack going forward with snappy breaks and accurate kicks, one of which led to Feneck setting up second phase and Clark spinning it wide for centre Michael Bendon to touchdown and reduce the deficit to 12 - 8. Llanharan again exerted another long period of pressure, scrum half Craig Burton working closely with his forwards and occasionally moving the ball wider to bring in his hard running centres, but good tackling by Rumney wingers Lincoln Plummer and Tom Powell and fullback Andrew Carlson prevented tries, although the visitors were giving away penalties at the contact area and in the thirty second minute Pearce put over another place kick. Four minutes later further pressure on the visitors' defences led to home fullback Gareth Wyn-Jones gathering a loose clearance kick just inside his own half and covering fifty metres to score a fine solo try. With half time approaching good kicking by Clark put Rumney back deep in the Dairymen's twenty two and a patient, forward build up resulted in Darren Fenton crossing for a carefully constructed try, Clark's conversion drawing the sides closer at the interval with a 20 - 15 scoreline.

Rumney Captain Michael Feneck had retired injured towards the end of the first half and hooker Colin O'Donoghue took the field and made his presence known straight away, linking with Kelly and Leadbeatter to set up phases and release Clark who made a brilliant fifty metre break, again connecting with Kelly and putting centre Lewis Fox under the posts for a brilliant try. Clark's conversion put Rumney into the lead at 20 - 22 and this was sustained for some time through the immense workrate of Ryan Fenton, Leadbeatter and Barry in the loose, Mills and James powering through midfield and Plummer, Fox, Benton and Powell hot on the chase of kicks downfield, but the continued tendency to give away penalties in the contact area was again becoming problematic for the visitors. As Llanharan stepped up the pressure once more through their tight play, Rumney found themselves hemmed in their own twenty two and in the sixty second minute Burton cleverly rolled off the side of a maul and pierced the defensive line to score under the posts, Pearce's conversion putting the Dairymen back into the lead and a further penalty soon afte putting them further ahead at 30 - 22. Anthony Jones came on at centre for Rumney and added stability in midfield, with scrum half Ben Morris also taking the field and putting in useful kicks and harassing the Llanharan back row, but in the seventieth minute Pearce landed a penalty and was successful with another long range effort in the seventy fifth minute which put the home side out of reach. Second row Michael Young had a short but effective spell in the second row for the visitors but Rumney were now being kept in their twenty two by accurate kicks and controlled drives, and in the seventy ninth minute a long pass out to Wyn-Jones put the fullback beyond the reach of the defence and he crossed for a final try and closing scoreline of Llanharan 38 Rumney 22.

Mike Peard, Forwards Coach Rumney 1st XV : "It was disappointing that after taking the lead early in the second half, we didn't close the game out, because we had worked hard to get into that position and then we made wrong decisions and got a bit too excited. In the second half Llanharan starved us of possession and when we did get into the right areas we made wrong decisions and gave turnovers. We faced the same problems that we have been having of late, missing tackles and giving away soft tries, and Llanharan gained in confidence and launched strike moves. I was happy with the set piece and we had already talked about pressurising Llanharan in the contact area but when we stopped doing that Llanharan put points on the board. Simon Barry, John Leadbeatter and Darren Fenton did a lot of work and Colin O'Donoghue made a big impression when he came on. Michael Bendon was impressive, making good tackles in the centre, he is a young boy who has really matured over the last few games and the Man of the Match was Ryan Fenton."

Lewis Fox, centre Rumney 1st XV : "The Rumney forwards did well and picked up some good ball in the ruck area and the scrum improved in the second half, but we missed tackles and we didn't push wide enough, our defensive organisation was poor. My try came from a great burst by Danny Clark and Michael Kelly supported well, I thought Mike was going all the way but I followed up and dived over. There wasn't much working out wide but the pack in general played very well especially Simon Barry and Ryan Fenton in the back row."

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RUMNEY ATHLETIC v CARDIFF SARACENS

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 18th April 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney Athletic 18 Cardiff Saracens 11

Scorers for Rumney Athletic : D.Morris try, A.Solomon try and conversion and 2 penalties

Man of the Match : G.Kemble

WHITCHURCH v RUMNEY 3rd XV

Cae Delyn Park, Whitchurch, Cardiff
Saturday 18th April 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Whitchurch 13 Rumney 3rd XV 6

DINAS POWYS YOUTH v RUMNEY YOUTH

Dinas Powys RFC
Thursday 16th April 2009, k.o. 6.15 pm

Dinas Powys Youth 19 Rumney Youth 43

Mallett Cup Quarter Final

RUMNEY ATHLETIC v CLWB RYGBI

Riverside Park, Rumney
Tuesday 14th April 2009, k.o. 7.15 pm

Rumney Athletic 29 Clwb Rygbi 5

Scorers for Rumney Athletic : L.Fox try, G.Kemble try, A.Leach try, D.Clark try and 2 conversions, A.Blake try

Semi final

Rumney Athletic v CIAC

Date and venue to be confirmed.

Ninian Stuart Cup Quarter Final

RUMNEY 3rd XV v CAERAU 2nd XV

Riverside Park, Rumney
Wednesday 15th April 2009, k.o. 6.15 pm

Rumney 3rd XV 26 Caerau 2nd XV 0

SWALEC League Division 1 East

UWIC v RUMNEY

Cyncoed Campus, Cyncoed Road, Cardiff
Saturday 11th April 2009, k.o. 2.30pm

UWIC v Rumney 09.04.2008
Past playing record : played 12, Rumney 6 wins, UWIC 5 wins, 1 draw

Rumney : 15.Tom Daly 14.Lincoln Plummer 13.Andrew Carlson 12.Michael Bendon 11.Tom Powell 10.Danny Clark 9.Chris Milton 1.David Evans 2.Colin O'Donoghue 3.Darren Fenton 4.Paul Bull 5.Joe Mills (Capt) 6.Ryan Fenton 7.Ryan Sutton 8.Michael Kelly Replacements : 16.John Leadbeatter. 17.Michael Feneck 18.Simon Barry 19.Rob Jones 20.Ben Morris

UWIC : 15.Gareth Davies 14.Ed Tellwright 13.Matt Trowbridge 12.Will Rees-Hole 11.Shaun Hawkey 10.Simon Humberstone 9.Morgan Thompson 1.Tom Brown 2.Jordan Allers (Capt.) 3.Rikki Stout 4.Owen Sidell 5.Richard Mountford 6.Luke Allen 7.Rob Hunt 8.Luke Dyckhoff Replacements : 16.Dan Barlow 17.Jack Yeandle 18.Richard de Carpentier 19.Kyle Barrett 20.Josh Robinson

Referee : Gareth Saunders, Rhydyfelin

UWIC 21 Rumney 34

Scorers for Rumney : Colin O'Donoghue try, Darren Fenton try, Tom Powell try, Danny Clark 2 conversions and 4 penalties and drop goal.

Scorers for UWIC : Will Rees-Hole try, Simon Humberstone try and conversion and 2 penalties and drop goal.

A stunning performance from Rumney gave them victory over a dynamic UWIC team at a sun drenched Cyncoed Campus. At the first lineout Rumney flanker Ryan Sutton soared into the air, smuggled the ball to prop Darren Fenton who, in a well executed set move, fed No8 Mike Kelly on a burst around the front of the line and put powerful hooker Colin O'Donoghue in at the corner for a fine opening try. Outside half Danny Clark's pinpoint conversion from the touchline put the visitors into a seven point lead after only four minutes, but UWIC were not unduly worried and were soon into their characteristic open play, their initial dangerous attacks being stopped by faultless tackles by Rumney winger Tom Powell and fullback Tom Daly, and huge touchfinders from Clark. In the ninth minute Rumney conceded a penalty for offside and UWIC outside half Simon Humberstone accurately slotted the long range kick, and this was soon followed by the home side being awarded another penalty close to the visitors' line but this time Rumney disrupted a set move for a turnover and a lightning fast response by scrum half Chris Milton put Powell away before centre Michael Brendon raced upfield and fed Darren Fenton, who had sprinted ninety metres and was unstoppable on his burst to the line. Fenton's magnificent try took Rumney into a 3 - 12 lead and although UWIC exerted more pressure, particularly by No8 Luke Dyckoff and scrum half Morgan Thompson linking well together, Rumney were able to create turnovers and run out of defence until the twenty first minute when clean ball gave Humberstone the opportunity for a good drop goal. Rumney centres Andrew Carlson and Bendon were able to sew up the midfield and winger Lincoln Plummer and Daly continued to cover well, added to which decisive tackling by O'Donoghue and flanker Ryan Fenton kept UWIC at bay until the twenty ninth minute when a smart handling movement resulted in a corner try for home centre Will Rees-Hole. With their lead reduced to only 11 - 12, Rumney resisted the temptation to tighten up the game and Milton, who was to prove a nightmare for the UWIC defence all afternoon, sniped and cut through time and again, working particularly well with Kelly who was rampant from the base of every scrum. The visitors' ball retention and carrying was proving to be excellent and Clark and Carlson punished any errors with long clearance kicks, but Milton, second rows Joe Mills and Paul Bull and prop David Evans were gaining so much ground through midfield drives that the UWIC defenders were forced to concede penalties and in the fortieth minute Clark added three points with another oustanding place kick.

The second half started with more top quality scrummaging from the dominant Rumney forwards, the front row of Evans, O'Donoghue and Darren Fenton causing no end of problems for their opposite numbers and flankers Sutton and Ryan Fenton equally effective with a terrier like presence in the loose. In the forty fourth minute Evans led another forward drive which was again only stopped by giving away a penalty and Clark duly obliged with a further three points. UWIC's high paced counterattacks persisted but the visitors were successful in gaining more turnovers, Sutton pouncing on any loose ball, stealing lineout possession and Plummer ensuring that nobody would make progress down his wing. Captain Mills had been oustanding all afternoon and constantly led Rumney upfield, increasingly making use of close links with Milton. In the sixtieth minute a quality tackle by Powell ended a dangerous UWIC counterattack and remarkably the winger was immediately up on his feet and in position to snap up a dropped pass before sprinting ninety metres, leaving tacklers in his wake, for what many spectators considered to be the try of the season. Clark's conversion stretched his side's lead to 11 - 25 but less than five minutes later, UWIC had a scrum on the visitors' twenty two and despite the scrum being in retreat, Dyckoff broke well and linked with Thompson whose clever inside flick found Rees-Hole on the burst and with the Rumney defensive line breached for the first time, Humberstone crossed for a well planned try. Mills, Bull and Kelly maintained their dominance in midfield and tactical changes brought on hooker Michael Feneck, prop John Leadbeatter and back row Simon Barry to ensure that the home side would be kept on the backfoot. Clark added another penalty when UWIC were pressured into conceding further penalties but in the seventy first minute Humberstone pegged the score back to 21 - 28 with another accurate place kick. Ben Morris came on at fullback for Rumney and launched a huge kick which the opposition were unable to cope with and from the subsequent scrum Kelly gained distance and space allowing Clark to calmly slot a precise drop goal. For the visitors, Rob Jones took the field at scrum half and kept up the pressure with sniping runs and also tackled strongly, added to which UWIC were finding it increasingly difficult to contain Leadbeatter, Feneck and Evans and also Sutton's lineout work and Barry's probing around the fringes led to the home side being caught in offside positions. In the seventy ninth minute Clark kicked his final penalty and brought the proceedings to an end with Rumney collecting the valuable points for their excellent 21 - 34 victory.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "We knew that today's game was going to be wide open and that suited us. With a firm ground and two sides that want to play rugby, it was a case of the side which made less mistakes would win and we started with a good try from the lineout. We were going quite well in the first half but then we gave away nine penalties, our discipline in the ruck area was a problem, as it is in Welsh rugby as a whole, but we kept our composure and scored a try from our own line which showed that our running abilities are second to none. There were no problems with the set pieces but we tried to push the ball from our own twenty two when we didn't need to, but as soon as we see the sun everyone wants to play rugby ! At half time we spoke about discipline, the need to play in the right areas and agreed that the kick and chase had to be spot on. UWIC ran it back at us but they made a couple of mistakes and we capitalised on them with Tom Powell scoring a great individual try and Danny Clark getting us field positions. The forwards were magnificent in the heat, Michael Kelly and Michael Bendon had great games and we scored two of the best tries of the season. Darren Fenton was the Man of the Match, he covered every blade of grass as he raced ninety metres to score his try when we broke from our own line, it is a pure testament to the guy. There is still a lot of rugby to be played but hopefully this secures our place for next season, and we will build on the plus points for our game at Llanharan next week. We will be working on the positives and all I can say is a massive thank you to the boys who worked their socks off in hot conditions, and well done."

Joe Mills, Captain and second row Rumney 1st XV : "In the hot and sandy conditions we started well and put on a lot of pressure and then we backed off a bit, but just before half time we pushed it back up and dominated UWIC. The forwards, especially Michael Kelly, did very well carrying the ball, Danny Clark kicked us into good positions and Tom Powell looked dangerous running with the ball. The Rumney forwards were better than the UWIC pack and controlled the game more, when they seemed to lose their heads we kept focused and in control."

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Try scorers : Colin O'Donoghue (4 mins), Darren Fenton (15 mins), Simon Humberstone (21 mins drop goal), Will Rees-Hole (28 mins), Tom Powell (60 mins), Simon Humberstone (64 mins), Danny Clark (75 mins drop goal)

East District 2nd XV Cup 2008 - 2009 Quarter Final

LLANHARAN 2nd XV v RUMNEY ATHLETIC

The Dairy Field, Llanharan
Saturday 11th April 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Llanharan 2nd XV 3 Rumney Athletic 69

Scorers for Rumney Athletic : G. Kemble try, A. Solomon try and conversion and penalty, A. Leach try, L.Fox 4 tries, K. Blake 3 tries, L. Andrews 7 conversions

SWALEC League Division 1 East

RUMNEY v YSTRAD RHONDDA

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 4th April 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Ystrad Rhondda v Rumney 25.10.2008
Past playing record : played 3, Ystrad Rhondda 3 wins, Rumney 0 wins

Rumney : 15 Tom Daly 14 Lincoln Plummer 13 Andrew Carlson 12 Michael Bendon 11 Tom Powell 10 Danny Clark 9 Chris Milton 1 John Leadbeatter 2 Michael Feneck (Capt) 3 Darren Fenton 4 Paul Bull 5 Joe Mills 6 Ryan Fenton 7 Ryan Sutton 8 Michael Kelly Replacements : 16 David Evans 17 Colin O'Donoghue 18 Jason Paige 19 Lewis Andrews 20 Lewis Fox

Ystrad Rhondda (squad) : Forwards : Jon Watkins Neil Jones Thomas Hetherinton Karl Facey Craig Griffiths Chris Hanley (Capt) Nathan Hughes Anthony Shellard David Owen Chris Bevan Mazin Al Azzawi Hywel Stoddard
Backs : Geraint Shalton Jamie Wicks Dale Griffiths Tom Hockin Dean Jones Dylan Jones Wayne Jervis Marc Jones

Referee : Huw Williams, Neath

Rumney 17 Ystrad Rhondda 26

Scorers for Rumney : Michael Bendon try, Lincoln Plummer try, Danny Clark 2 conversions and penalty.

Scorers for Ystrad Rhondda : Geraint Shelton try, Mazin Al Azzawi try, Dean Jones try, Wayne Jervis conversion and two penalties and drop goal.

It was an all action opening with both sides running the ball at top speed and launching high tempo attacks. Rumney No8 Michael Kelly and prop Darren Fenton were the first to impress with powerful drives and outside half Danny Clark gained vast distances with mighty touch finders. In the twentieth minute Kelly started a slick handling movement between the forwards involving flanker Ryan Sutton, prop John Leadbeatter, hooker Michael Feneck, second row Paul Bull and Darren Fenton, and when scrum half Chris Milton whipped the ball out to his threequarters, centre Andrew Carlson cleverly drew in defenders before offloading to co-centre Michael Bendon who crash-balled his way to score at the posts. Clark converted and there followed a good period for the home side with Milton proving very elusive and spinning it wide to Carlson and talented wingers Lincoln Plummer and Tom Powell. Sutton was also on top form in the lineout and made important, quick tackles in the loose but the threat posed by the Ystrad Rhondda backs soon became apparent when scrum half Marc Jones made a fine, high speed break and took play to the home tryline before switching to the blindside and connecting with fullback Geraint Shalton whose angle of running took him straight through the defence for a very well worked try. Ystrad flanker Mazin Al Azzawi had been impressive from the beginning of the game and in the thirty eighth minute he charged down a clearance kick, regathered the ball and touched down for the try which put his side into a 7 - 10 lead, but within minutes Clark had accurately landed a penalty to bring the teams level and despite a magnificent fifty metre break by Rumney fullback Tom Daly, no further scores were achieved and the half time score board read 10 - 10.

A lively restart found Leadbeatter making excellent drives, Sutton steadying the ship and flanker Ryan Fenton and Bull powering forward, but in the forty eighth minute Ystrad outside half Wayne Jervis landed his first penalty when Rumney were caught offside in midfield, and having regained the lead the visitors now adopted a controlled approach, making very few errors. In lineout variations Bull claimed more good possession and Daly made another excellent break, but in the sixtieth minute another offside offence allowed Jervis to kick a magnificent fifty metre penalty for a 10 - 16 lead. Powell and Kelly proved invaluable in defence when Ystrad used the wind to gain ground and Rumney enjoyed a good period of pressure when following battling, midfield runs by second row Joe Mills, they went through a series of phases and worked their way deep into the Ystrad twenty two. The visitors' defence was stout but in the sixty ninth minute Sutton caught Jones in possession and Plummer pounced on a loose clearance for an opportunist try. Clark converted and Rumney rang the changes, bringing on Colin O'Donoghue at flanker, David Evans at prop, Lewis Andrews at scrum half and Lewis Fox on the wing. Livewire Captain Feneck continued to inspire his side but in the seventy fourth minute Jervis put Ystrad back into the lead at 17 - 19 with a neat drop goal, following which Rumney went through a period of errors and being forced back on the defensive. In the seventy eighth minute the visitors stole lineout ball and produced the best controlled drive of the day, until Jones fired out a huge looping pass to winger Dean Jones who crossed in the corner. Jervis converted from the touchline and Ystrad finished the game strongly, keeping play pinned in Rumney half and claiming a 17 - 26 victory.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "We targetted this game as a home win and we might have been too confident, we thought we were fine and up for it and you can't use injuries as an excuse. We started off quite well with plenty of territory and ball but after twenty minutes we started to lose our focus and Ystrad slowed our ball down. In the first half they counter-rucked our ball and we argued with one another, which is something we do not do, so we did lose focus and didn't get any rhythm going. Our set piece was fine, it is always good, and playing with the wind in the first half Danny Clark was putting us fifty metres down field, but we couldn't sustain the pressure and we gave away turnovers or penalties. We missed eight first up tackles in the first half and we had to tighten up and in the second half run two or three phases into the wind, you can't play football under your own sticks. This is the side we are and we got punished, we are full of runners but sometimes you have to bring it in a bit. In the second half we were probably only twice in the Ystrad twenty two, we had no field position and their outside half put us fifty yards back every time. It is difficult to get out of the corner, we managed to score what was probably not the best try ever seen, but at that stage we really thought we were in control and fair doe so Ystrad, they rattled us. The Man of the Match was Tom Daly, Tom had a good game and made serious yardage."

Michael Feneck, hooker Rumney 1st XV : "We started well with an early score, our forwards were dominating the scrum and Danny Clark was kicking us into good positions but then we let it slip. It was our own fault, we made mistakes by running into blind alleys and forcing the pass. Darren Fenton had a good game and Danny kicked well, but we are disappointed, the game was there to be won and our mistakes cost us."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Michael Bendon (20 mins), Geraint Shalton (31 mins), Mazin Al Azzawi 38 mins), Lincoln Plummer (69 mins), Dean Jones (78 mins)

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Cardiff and District Youth Cup

LLANDAFF YOUTH v RUMNEY YOUTH

Llandaff RFC
Wednesday 8th April 2009, k.o. 5.30 pm

Llandaff Youth 28 Rumney Youth 8

RUMNEY ATHLETIC v LLANDAFF NORTH 2nd XV

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 4th April 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney Athletic 34 Llandaff North 2nd XV 10

Scorers for Rumney Athletic : D. Morris try, B. Morris try, M. Rowe try, A. Solomon penalty and 4 conversions

LLANDAFF NORTH 3rd XV v RUMNEY 3rd XV

Hailey Park, Llandaff North, Cardiff
Saturday 4th April 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Llandaff North 3rd XV 17 Rumney 3rd XV 19

Scorers for Rumney 3rd XV : M. Buckley try, G. Niblett try, M. Gaines 3 penalties

MERTHYR YOUTH v RUMNEY YOUTH

The Wern, Merthyr
Saturday 4th April 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Merthyr Youth 47 Rumney Youth 0

SWALEC League Division 1 East

RUMNEY v BEDDAU

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 28th March 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Beddau v Rumney 18.10.2008
Past playing record : played 7, Beddau 5 wins, Rumney 2 wins

Rumney :15 Andrew Carlson 14 Tom Daly 13 Paul Niblett (Capt) 12 Michael Bendon 11 Anthony Jones 10 Danny Clark 9 Tom Powell 1 John Leadbeatter 2 Michael Feneck 3 Darren Fenton 4 Paul Bull 5 Joe Mills 6 Neil Coles 7 Anthony Wilson 8 Michael Kelly Replacements : 16 Kevin O'Connor 17 Neal Ritchie 18 Ryan Fenton 19 Chris Milton 20 Ryan Sutton

Beddau : 15 S. Robinson 14 M. Evans 13 M. Addiss 12 H.Williams 11 D. Dearden 10 R. Truelove 9 P. Davies 1 G. Richards 2 J. Blake 3 A. Copic 4 G. Harte 5 R. Jones 6 T. Guy 7 D. Waters 8 G. Slater Replacements : 16 R. Cleverly 17 G. Waite 18 B. West 19 A.N. Other 20 R. Edwards

Referee : David Swain, Penarth

Rumney 24 Beddau 15

Scorers for Rumney : Michael Kelly try, Andrew Carlson try, Danny Clark conversion and 4 penalties

Scorers for Beddau : Huw Williams try, Dan Dearden try, Steve Robinson conversion and penalty

A lack of recent match practice made the first minutes of the game a scrappy affair with both sides making errors but Rumney appeared to settle first and No8 Michael Kelly started off an oustanding contribution to the afternoon with the first of many powerful breaks, taking the home side deep into the visitors' twenty two. After ten minutes play Rumney were still maintaining their dominance when Beddau suddenly broke out of defence and launched a high speed counterattack which took them the length of the field before they recycled the ball and winger Dan Dearden weaved through for a very good try. Minutes later the home side conceded a penalty and Beddau again counterattacked through midfield, centre Mark Addis recycling the ball to the backs and bringing out the best of the Rumney defensive line. Home outside half Danny Clark and Captain Paul Niblett put in excellent, lengthy touchfinders to take Rumney back upfield and centre Michael Benton threatened with strong ball carrying in the middle of the park. In the twentieth minute sharp awareness by Rumney winger Tom Daly saw Andrew Carlson receive a quick throw in with plenty of space around him and the fullback started an intricate handling movement between his forwards and backs, before Niblett made a brilliant sidestepping break right through the defence to link with Kelly, who kept up the neat sidestepping to score a fine try at the posts. Clark's conversion put Rumney into a 7 - 5 lead but talented flanker Anthony Wison was soon sidelined with an ankle injury, Ryan Sutton coming on and immediately making a major contribution in the lineout and loose play. In the twenty fourth minute Beddau second row Robert Jones soared high and stole a Rumney lineout and from the subsequent maul and ruck a deceptive, delayed pass put centre Huw Williams under the sticks, fullback Steve Robinson's conversion taking his side back into the lead at 7 - 12. The Rumney pack soon returned to Beddau territory, hooker Michael Feneck taking a quick penalty to gain ground in the twenty two with high paced support from flanker Neil Coles and strong backing up by second rows Paul Bull and Joe Mills. Home scrum half Tom Powell was having a field day in his favoured position, both in attack and defence, and benefitting from the excellent forward platform being set up through repeated forward drives by props John Leadbeatter and Darren Fenton, and by Feneck, but further reshuffles were necessary when both Niblett and Coles suffered injuries and were replaced by Chris Milton and Ryan Fenton. Beddau continued to impress in the lineouts with Robinson making penetrating runs from deep, but the visitors' were now being forced into giving away penalties and in the twenty ninth minute Clark reduced the gap with an excellent long range kick. The forced rearrangements in the Rumney back division found Milton at scrum half, Powell on the wing and Anthony Jones at centre, where his straight running and decisive tackling kept the opposition on the backfoot. Sutton's lineout work and Kelly's devestating bursts were becoming even more difficult to contain and in the thirty fourth minute Clark landed another penalty to take his side back into a narrow lead with an interval score of 13 - 12.

Beddau dominated the opening period of the second half with No8 Glen Slater leading tight forward drives and Robinson quickly restored their lead through a successful penalty, but the mobile home pack, with Leadbeatter, Feneck and Darren Fenton providing the immovable, hard scrummaging front row, now contolled most of the forward exchanges and set pieces and Clark put over penalties in the fifty first and fifty ninth minute to give Rumney a 19 - 15 advantage. Clark's linekicking remained excellent and Jones' tackling snuffed out more dangerous Beddau attacks, while Bull was superb under the high ball, Carlson, Powell and Daly ran and kicked well out of defence and Mills continued to be the midfield focus of play. Despite being under pressure for long periods, the visitors defended well and repeatedly made effective counterattacks. Mills, Ryan Fenton and Sutton continued to harass the opposition, who were now living dangerously, trying to break Rumney's territorial grip and in the seventy eighth minute, following a quick throw in, a Beddau handling movement went astray and Carlson neatly snapped up the ball to race in for the decisive try, the scoreboard reading Rumney 24 Beddau 15 at the final whistle.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "Our preparations over the last three weeks were hampered by the Six Nations internationals and although we haven't had a game, we have been working well on the training field, tightening up and changing a few things. We had to win this home game at all costs and our performance had to be right, the hard pitches suit us and our gameplan was to move it about. In the first half Beddau sent people into the rucks and stopped our game, we were getting collared in midfield, where their openside wing forward was brilliant at it. At half time we talked about our defensive line and where we had missed a few man on man tackles, because Beddau had come into our twenty two on two occasions and had scored both times. Because of the missed tackles they had the better of us in the first half, but in the second half we tightened up our defence so that we wouldn't come second best in the tackle area, and we did get quicker ball and play a bit of football. It was a great second half, we stepped up our game and in the end we came up trumps. It was a case of rolling up our sleeves and sending more people into the rucks to get the ball, and that's how we won. I was proud of the boys today, they stood up to a tough challenge, but there is still a lot of hard work to do, we must not get carried away and have to focus on our game against Ystrad Rhondda next week, but I'm sure we'll be ok. Special mentions go to the front five who provided such a good set piece and to No8 Michael Kelly. Paul Bull was the Man of the Match, he took every kick off and was outstanding in the rucks and mauls today."

Anthony Jones, wing Rumney 1st XV : "A massive game and a very important win for us. From 1 to 15 the team played superbly against a Beddau side who were coming off the back of great wins against Bargoed and Llanharan, but we did play really well. Injuries in the first ten minutes disrupted us and the quality of the subs who came on was vital. The whole pack played brilliantly and gave the backs a great platform, the front row worked superbly in the scrums and so did the back row around the field."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Dan Dearden (11 mins), Michael Kelly (20 mins), Huw Williams (24 mins), Andrew Carlson (78 mins)

PENALLTA 2nd XV v RUMNEY ATHLETIC

Penallta RFC
Saturday 28th March 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Penallta 2nd XV 17 Rumney Athletic 7

RUMNEY YOUTH v MERTHYR YOUTH

Riverside Park, Rumney
Tuesday 17th March 2009, k.o. 7.00 pm

Rumney Youth 7 Merthyr Youth 24

SWALEC League Division 1 East

BLACKWOOD v RUMNEY

Glan-yr Afon Park, Blackwood
Saturday 7th March 2008, k.o. 2.30 pm

Blackwood v Rumney 16.04.2008
Past playing record : played 17, Rumney 5 wins, Blackwood 11 wins, 1 draw

Rumney : 15.Danny Clark 14.Richard Reed 13.Anthony Jones 12.Paul Niblett (Capt.) 11.Lincoln Plummer 10.Anthony Solomon 9.Lewis Andrews 1.John Leadbeatter 2.Colin O'Donoghue 3.Darren Fenton 4.Joe Mills 5.Paul Bull 6.A.Wilson 7.Ryan Fenton 8.Neil Coles Replacements : 16.Kevin O'Connor 17.Neal Ritchie 18.Emyr James 19.Simon Barry 20.Chris Milton

Referee : Phil Harrhy, Gilwern

Blackwood 37 Rumney 8

Scorers for Rumney : Anthony Jones try, Lewis Andrews penalty

Scorers for Blackwood : Sean Emery try, Ian Jones try, Kristan Perry try, David James try, Chris Wannell try, Gareth Price penalty and 2 conversions, Jeremy Lloyd penalty and conversion

Both sides made plenty of errors in the opening period and Rumney's tendency to concede early penalties, allowed league leaders Blackwood to gain territorial advantage, and in the eighth minute a sweeping threequarter movement put home fullback Sean Emery in at the corner for the opening try. Centre Gareth Price's conversion gave Blackwood a 7 - 0 lead but gradually the visitors settled and powerful No8 Neil Coles and scrum half Lewis Andrews worked well together to gain ground with fullback Danny Clark kicking long and accurate touchfinders. Rumney flankers Ryan Fenton and Anthony Wilson were sharp on loose balls and breakdowns, Wilson making chargedowns and Fenton gaining turnovers, and with second rows Paul Bull and Joe Mills leading effective drives, Captain and centre Paul Niblett and Clark both came close to scoring. The lineout was proving problematic at first for Rumney and Blackwood were clinical in this area, but a lengthy period of Rumney pressure with a degree of dominance in the set piece, where the outstanding, scrummaging front row combination of John Leadbeatter, Colin O'Donoghue and Darren Fenton dictated play, resulted in Blackwood killing the ball and in the twenty seventh minute Andrews kicked a very good penalty to reduce the gap to 7 - 3. The visitors' backline was also starting to look dangerous, centres Anthony Jones and Niblett attacking through midfield and wingers Lincoln Plummer and Richard Reed posing problems out wide, but when Blackwood used a trademark move and threw a short, low ball to the front of a line, they caught Rumney sleeping, gaining huge territorial advantage and forcing errors. Home outside half Chris Wannell drove his side forward with precise kicking but the visitors' defence was sound and crunching tackles by Mills in particular, held them at bay. In the thirty fifth minute however, another confused Rumney lineout resulted in Blackwood gaining unexpected possession and a weaving run by winger Kristian Perry set up prop Ian Jones for a try. As half time approached Rumney conceded another penalty and Price added a further three points for a 15 - 3 interval lead.

A storming restart by Blackwood was stopped by an excellent Wilson tackle, followed quickly by a snappy counterattack led by Rumney outside half Anthony Solomon, Jones and Bull, but a turnover and further penalty allowed the home side to keep their line intact and in the forty sixth minute the league leaders showed the quality of their backs, when from a lineout, Wannell sent out a long, booming pass which put Perry beyond reach of the defence and a neat chip and chase led to the winger claiming his side's third try. A lengthy period followed when neither side showed clear domination, though a repeat of Blackwood's front of the line move nearly brought a score and Rumney's defence continued to hold firm under pressure, until a speculative kick placed the home side on the visitor's twenty two and a surprise, quick throw in allowed winger David James to cross unopposed for another try. Trailing 27 - 2, Rumney showed determination to get back into the game and Leadbeatter and Darren Fenton led battling forward drives, Kevin O'Connor and Neal Ritchie came on in the front row, Emyr James in the second row and Simon Barry in the back row, but a long period on the Blackwood line proved scoreless when another penalty was given away. Niblett had been creating problems for the home defence for some time, and in the sixty ninth minute, following good phase work by Mills and Barry, the Rumney Captain drew in three tacklers before offloading to Clark, who in turn drew in more defenders, and fed Jones with a try scoring pass. In the seventy first minute Blackwood added another penalty and despite close calls by Niblett, James and livewire scrum half Chris Milton, Rumney could not manage another try and in the eightieth minute, as they launched repeated attacks, a speculative pass was picked off and a fine handling movement between the home backs and forwards was finished off with a try for Wanell and a final score of 37 - 8.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "We had spoken about giving away penalties and the twenty four missed tackles in the Bargoed game and knew that we could not afford to give away even half as many against Blackwood. Despite being up against the top of the table club we were always positive and although we have six or seven players out through injury, that is no excuse, but having such a small squad does make a difference. We started quite well, it was a good tussle up front and the contact area was well fought, especially in the first half, because we knew their game was forward orientated and we matched them there. At half time we talked about getting a bit of territory and we did have quite a lot of possession, but we made mistakes and we were naive, you have to keep young players enthusiastic but in this division you also have to be a bit more wily and set certain patterns and facets of play. We are not using our patterns of play at the right times and if I'm honest, our next two games are the most important ones of the season. What I wanted most today was a good performance and we had that at times, but if you look at the scoreboard it appears that it was one sided, and it certainly wasn't. Blackwood scored their tries and took their chances, they were that good and you have to take your hat off to a better side. We have to take one game at a time and now, with a three week break, it's the ideal time to assess our injury list and get our other players back training, when we have our full squad we'll be alright. Anthony Wilson was the Man of the Match, he had a great game, his workrate in the contact area was a hundred percent and a Coach can not ask for anything more. Neil Coles had a great day and so did our unsung heroes, the front row, they worked tirelessly in that scrum area and full credit to them."

Colin O'Donoghue, hooker Rumney 1st XV : "It was a tough, physical game but we couldn't put anything together. The pack was outstanding and to be honest, the scrummage went really well. The lineouts were good at times but the conditions made it a bit slippery. Blackwood have a strong pack, it's similar to ours, but they got some continuity together and that is one of their strongest points. Joe Mills, Neil Coles, Anthony Wilson, Darren Fenton and John Leadbeatter all played really well."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Sean Emery (8 mins), Ian Jones (35 mins), Kristan Perry (46 mins), David James (65 mins), Anthony Jones (69 mins), Chris Wannell (80 mins)

RUMNEY ATHLETIC v CARDIFF SARACENS

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 7th March 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney Athletic 20 Cardiff Saracens 3

Scorers for Rumney Athletic : P.Carlton try, S.O'Connor try, S.Greedy 2 tries

Man of the Match : Michael Young

RUMNEY YOUTH v PONTYPRIDD YOUTH

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 7th March 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney Youth 18 Pontypridd Youth 19

SWALEC League Division 1 East

RUMNEY v BARGOED

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 28th February 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney v Bargoed 01.09.2007
Past playing record : Played 4 games, Bargoed 4 wins, Rumney 0 wins

Rumney : 15.Danny Clark 14.Tom Powell 13.Anthony Jones 12.Paul Niblett (Capt.) 11.Lincoln Plummer 10.Anthony Solomon 9.Chris Milton 1.John Leadbeatter 2.Colin O'Donoghue 3.Darren Fenton 4.Joe Mills 5.Michael Kelly 6.Ryan Fenton 7.Ryan Sutton 8.Chris Jones Replacements : 16.David Evans 17.Paul Bull 18.George Kemble 19.Anthony Wilson 20.Lewis Andrews

Bargoed : 15.Geraint Hodges 14.Lee Pearson 13.Darren Humphries 12.Rhys Humphries 11.Ian Jenkins 10.Danny Jones 9.Mike Roberts (Capt) 1.Robbie Young 2.Luke Hardwood 3.Ross Jones 4.Owen Swift 5.Adam Kidley 6.Phil Smith 7.Adam Jones 8.Nicky Coughlin Replacements : 16.Ryan Sadler 17.Luke White 18.Jamie Howells 19.Ian Jenkins 20.A.N. Other

Referee : David Williams, Caldicot

Rumney 3 Bargoed 30

Scorer for Rumney : Danny Clark penalty

Scorers for Bargoed : Darren Humphries try, Rhys Humphries try, Lee Pearson try, Danny Jones 2 conversions and 2 penalties

Rumney crashed to a heavy defeat at the hands of Bargoed in an intense game at Riverside Park that saw the visitors run in four tries and keep the home side stalled in the lower half of Division 1 East. Rumney hooker Colin O'Donoghue gathered well from the kick off and No8 Chris Jones and prop John Leadbeatter drove powerfully into the Bargoed ranks, with second row Joe Mills and flanker Ryan Sutton also soon on the attack. The visitors spread the ball wide at the earliest opportunities, centres Darren and Rhys Humphries, and winger Lee Pearson looking particularly sharp and within minutes Rumney began conceding unnecessary penalties and handing hard-fought possession to the opposition. The Bargoed set piece was efficient throughout the afternoon but home scrum half Chris Milton and Sutton seized any loose balls and frequently threatened to break clear, particularly in midfield where second row Michael Kelly was stamping his authority on the game and Leadbeatter was causing problems for the Bargoed loose forwards. After giving away penalties for killing the ball and offside, Rumney also conceded turnovers and in the twenty fourth minute Bargoed outside half Danny Jones opened the scoring when the home side were caught offside and penalised once more. Impressive loose play by Rumney flanker Ryan Fenton, winger Tom Powell and prop Darren Fenton provided more possession but the threequarters had to defend stubbornly against their speedy counterparts and good anticipation and covering by Captain and centre Paul Niblett was needed to cut down a very dangerous counterattack. In the twenty ninth minute however, Bargoed's increased confidence was apparent when a scrum on the home ten metre line led to Jones providing Darren Humphries with a cleverly delayed pass, putting the centre through the gap and on his way for a quality touchdown under the posts. Jones added the conversion for a 0 - 10 lead and with the balance swaying in Bargoed's favour, they pressed their territorial advantage until, in the thirty third minute, No8 Nicky Coughlin set up phased possession and scrum half and Captain Mike Roberts switched play wide, catching the Rumney defence out of position and allowing Pearson to cross in the corner. Sutton and Chris Jones dominated the lineouts and carved gaps in midfield, while the Rumney forwards linked well in rucks and mauls and were unfortunate when errors and turnovers halted promising moves. This pressure by the homeside finally told and full back Danny Clark succeeded with a difficult penalty, and as half time approached Rumney showed plenty of enterprise with centre Anthony Jones and wing Lincoln Plummer making some oustanding breaks and outside half Anthony Solomon putting in huge touchfinders, but although there were plenty of exciting exchanges, there was no further scores, the half ending with Bargoed in the lead 3 - 15.

After the interval Rumney succeeded in exerting more pressure, O'Donoghue and Mills making good ground and Clark trying hard to counterattack from depth. A Sutton-inspired movement involving Powell and Darren Fenton saw Anthony Jones inches from a try in the corner but Bargoed were now playing a very tightly structured game and dominating territorially, backs and forwards working efficiently together with the ball in hand. A spate of penalties were now conceded by Rumney, their total penalty count for the game was to reach fifteen, and in the fifty ninth minute Jones added another three points. Ryan Fenton and Leadbeatter set up more useful phases but the backs were unable to penetrate a tight defensive line and even after hard work had taken the home forwards into an excellent attacking position, yet another penalty allowed the visitors to clear their lines. Anthony Wilson, Lewis Andrews, David Evans and Paul Bull took the field for Rumney and all turned in committed and effective performances and while Bargoed launched powerful attacks by the brothers Humphries, the home side also threatened with counterattacks from Plummer and Bull, but with time running out Rumney had to chance their arm and a handling error let in Rhys Humphries for a well taken kick and rush try in the seventy fourth minute. Bargoed again tightened their grip, taking advantage of further handling errors and penalties and when another desperate Rumney attempt to run out of defence came unstuck, Roberts gathered and raced off for a fine solo try, Jones' successful conversion bringing the proceedings to a conclusion at Rumney 3 Bargoed 30.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "In last week's game we gave away twenty penalties, so this week we talked about discipline in the contact area and our set piece was fine, but the contact area was where the penalties were given away again. Bargoed stopped us playing our wide, expansive game, slow ball is no good to us. The first twenty minutes were quite good but then we started to give away the penalties and instead of keeping the ball we were unloading fifty-fifty balls, trying to play like the Barbarians, we keep shooting ourselves in the foot when the ball is not there to be offloaded. The ten minutes before the break were also ok but we needed to score after half time, we knew the next score was vital and it never came, we were chasing the game, giving away penalties and gaining no momentum. There were times in the second half when we looked like a good side but Bargoed defended really well and played the right game against us. We needed to play a wider game but we were going sideways. There is a confidence factor, we have been in this position before and we need to play a bit of rugby and get another win, it is difficult, hard work but these boys will pull us through. The Man of the Match was Ryan Sutton, he was excellent in the lineout and deserves credit for his work around the field, he had a great game."

Ryan Sutton, wing forward Rumney 1st XV : "It was frustrating more than anything else, we started well but eased off the gas at the end of the first half. Bargoed put in some good initial hits in the scrum but we controlled the lineouts, everyone played well but we need to dog it out longer and not keep running from our own line. The attitude is there and everyone is hungry for the game, we have just got to learn to do it for the full eighty minutes."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Darren Humphries (29 mins), Lee Pearson (33 mins), Rhys Humphries (74 mins), Mike Roberts (80 mins)

RUMNEY 3rd XV v SEA VIEW

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 28th February 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney 3rd XV 46 Sea View 15

Scorers for Rumney 3rd XV : L.Miller 2 tries, P.Lewis try, G.Milson try, M.Milson 3 tries and 2 conversions, S.Oliver try and conversion

SWALEC WRU Cup 2008-2009 - Round 6

RUMNEY v CAERPHILLY

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 21st February 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Caerphilly v Rumney 20.09.2008
Past playing record : played 7 games, Rumney 0 wins, Caerphilly 7 wins

Rumney : 15.Tom Daly 14.Anthony Jones 13.Andrew Carlson 12.Paul Niblett (Capt.) 11.Lincoln Plummer 10.Danny Clark 9.Chris Milton 1.John Leadbeatter 2.Colin O'Donoghue 3.Darren Fenton 4.Joe Mills 5.Michael Kelly 6.Neil Coles 7.Anthony Wilson 8.Chris Jones Replacements : 16.Craig Fitzpatrick 17.Michael Feneck 18.Ryan Sutton 19.Ryan Fenton 20.Paul Bull 21.Lewis Andrews 22.A.N. Other

Caerphilly : (from) Backs : C.Rees C.Gittins S.Sankala (Capt) M.Dallymore G.Miles J.Connolly V.Thomas A.Ford Forwards : A.Richards J.Walby J.Greenfield M.Webber J.Benfield M.Berridge A.Minty J.Griffiths C.Jones R.Watkins H.Locke A.N.Other

Referee : Phil Connett, Hafodyrynys

Touch Judges : Geoff Williams, St. Fagans, Chris Morgan, Tredegar

Rumney 12 Caerphilly 17

Scorers for Rumney : Michael Kelly try, Tom Daly try, Danny Clark conversion

Scorer for Caerphilly : Danny Ellis try and 4 penalties

A ferocious start was immediately interupted by Rumney giving away penalties in the very first minutes of the game, but at the initial set pieces it was clear that home No8 Chris Jones, flankers Anthony Wilson and Neil Coles, and scrum half Chris Milton were going to be a handful for the visitors, both individually and as a unit, they drove forward and gained hard yards. Rumney second rows Joe Mills and Michael Kelly were also succeeding with powerful ball carrying and ensured that play was kept mostly deep in opposition territory. Caerphilly looked sharp when they spread the ball and ran from defensive positions and outside half Danny Ellis worked the touchline effectively, but Rumney controlled the set pieces, particularly the lineouts, and were able to reassert pressure but again conceded penalties and turnovers. In the nineteenth minute Milton gathered a loose clearance kick and set off on an elusive run, linking with his pack, Chris Jones, Coles and Kelly all breaking forward and connecting with centre Paul Niblett, full back Tom Daly and winger Lincoln Plummer, before good second phase possession set up Kelly to crash over for the opening try, strongly supported by props John Leadbeatter and Darren Fenton. The Rumney forwards were again dominant after the restart with the visitors giving away penalties to stop them, but more penalty offences were also committed by Rumney, and Caerphilly were now starting to look more settled and ready to run the ball. In the twenty fifth minute Caerphilly won a turnover on the half way line and rapid passing through their dangerous backs caught the home defences out of alignment and following a touchline burst by skipper Stefan Sankala, Ellis finished off a quality movement with a spectacular corner try. Despite this setback Rumney returned to the fray with hooker Colin O'Donoghue and Leadbeatter once more driving through gaps, and centre Andrew Carlson and Milton evading tacklers, but indiscipline in the contact area resulted in further penalties and Ellis succeeded with kicks in the thirty fourth and thirty ninth minutes. An injury to Carlson necessitated his replacement by Lewis Andrews, who moved to full back and filled the role very well for the rest of the game, and the half concluded with Chris Jones again showing his exceptional power from the back of the scrum, keeping Caerphilly on the backfoot, but nevertheless in the lead at 5 - 11.

Rumney's disasterous penalty count mounted again minutes into the second half with Ellis slotting another place kick, and the outside half continued to work his side's way upfield with lengthy touchfinders. Home fly half Danny Clark was also kicking well and putting in important tackles, Plummer and Daly counterattacking at speed and Niblett and winger Anthony Jones pounding the midfield. Wilson maintained dominance in the lineout and Milton found more space, while Mills impressed with his powerful drives and ability to set up further phases, but even more penalties were conceded for offside and killing the ball and in the fifty eighth minute Ellis added another three points. Attempts by the home side to spread the ball wide found that the visitors' defence was well prepared, Caerphilly being able to clear their lines and set up counterattacks. Rumney's strength in depth at forward saw the arrival of flankers Ryan Sutton and Ryan Fenton, second row Paul Bull, hooker Michael Feneck and prop Craig Fitzpatrick and their territorial domination resumed with long periods deep in the Caerphilly half. A second try seemed inevitable when Rumney attempted a push over but were beaten to the touchdown when the ball had crossed the try line, in additon to which Caerphilly were becoming increasingly capable of clearing up at the back of a retreating scrum by using No8 Sam Feehan to pick up and drive. Sutton ruled the lineouts, taking opposition ball and securing his own, and Bull and Leadbeatter gained more ground to set up possible scoring opportunities. In the seventy fifth minute a careful build up with Chris Jones, Fitzpatrick, Fenton and Clark all setting up phases, allowed Daly to snap up the ball and scorch over for Rumney's second try, Clark's conversion narrowing the lead to 12 - 17, but with only minutes left, and in a commanding position, the home side conceded yet another penalty and Caerphilly seized the chance to escape the danger zone, Mr Connett's final whistle announcing their successful progression to the quarter final.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "We lost the Newbridge game through indiscipline, so after that we worked tirelessly on not giving away penalties in the contact area, which was our weak point against Newbridge. We looked at keeping discipline and it went to pot again today, we gave away twenty penalties and it is strangling our game, especially in the ruck area where we gave away most of them today. We like to run the ball through the hands and you can't do that and give penalties away. In the contact area we lost the ball five or six times when we were going forward, there were turnovers against us and we couldn't get any momentum going, it spoiled our game plan, which is a very basic one to actually move the ball about the pitch, but we are very static at the moment. We were fairly confident coming into the game and we have got to pick ourselves up again, the day we stop giving penalties away, we'll be a very good side, we have just got to learn that it is a major issue with us at the moment. The lineout and scrum were fine and we had Caerphilly on the rack at times, an extra five minutes and we might have snuck it, but they defended well and stopped us in the ruck area, we have got to try and learn from our mistakes. It would have been nice to get into the last eight but our bread and butter is the league and we must now pick ourselves up for Bargoed next week, that will be a big test in the set pieces. Things will be ok when we sort out the discipline, we played some nice rugby in parts but need to sustain it over longer periods. The Man of the Match was Michael Kelly, Michael played very well today, his workrate was tremendous, he did all the hard dirty work, and if we could have fifteen like Michael Kelly getting on with the job, I'd be more than happy."

Craig Fitzpatrick, prop Rumney 1st XV : "It went well, we were really competitive in the contact area against one of the top sides, it was the penalties that killed us. The front row went well taking it to Caerphilly, and so did the back row, Chris Jones breaking the gain line gave us a platform to build on. We finished stronger than Caerphilly and there are a lot of positives to take from the game."

Rumney Captain Paul Niblett displaying the white ribbon in support of the Wales Tackles Domestic Abuse campaign.

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Michael Kelly (19 mins), Danny Ellis (25 mins), Tom Daly (75 mins)

RUMNEY ATHLETIC v ST PETERS 2nd XV

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 21st February 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney Athletic 50 St Peters 2nd XV 10

RUMNEY 3rd XV v TONGWYNLAIS

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 21st February 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney 3rd XV 59 Tongwynlais 14

Scorers for Rumney 3rd XV : M.Gains try and 7 conversions, R.Regan try, M.Young try, L.Rapper try, S.Greedy try, B.Phillips try, S.Oliver try, J.Cory try
Man of the Match : Greg Milson

GLAMORGAN WANDERERS YOUTH v RUMNEY YOUTH

Glamorgan Wanderers RFC
Saturday 21st February 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney Youth 0 Glamorgan Wanderers Youth 33

SWALEC League Division 1 East

RUMNEY v NEWBRIDGE

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 31st January 2009, k.o. 2.30pm

Newbridge v Rumney 04.10.2008
Past playing record : played 17 games, Rumney 6 wins, Newbridge 10 wins, 1 draw

Rumney : 15.Tom Daly 14.Tom Powell 13.Anthony Jones 12.Paul Niblett (Capt.) 11.Lincoln Plummer 10.Andrew Carlson 9.Lewis Andrews 1.John Leadbeatter 2.Michael Feneck 3.Darren Fenton 4.Paul Bull 5.Michael Kelly 6.Anthony Wilson 7.Ryan Fenton 8.Chris Jones Replacements : 16.A.N. Other 17.Colin O'Donoghue 18.Joe Mills 19.Ryan Sutton 20.Chris Milton

Newbridge : 15.Ceri Young 14.Lennie Woodard 13.Geraint Langdon 12.Dan Morris 11.Gary Wilks 10.Richard Powell 9.Gareth Betts 1.Jamie Cross 2.Craig Atwell 3.Lyn Williams 4.Jamie Noble 5.Scott Marasco 6.Leigh Taylor 7.Martin Ackerman (Capt) 8.Lee Meredith Replacements : 16. Will Griffiths 17.Daryl Williams 18.Lee Bray 19.Rhys Griffiths 20.John Hawker

Referee : Lynne Davies, Porth

Rumney 12 Newbridge 18

Scorers for Rumney : Michael Feneck try, Chris Milton try, Andrew Carlson conversion
Scorers for Newbridge : Gary Wilks try, Lee Meredith try, Richard Powell conversion and 2 penalties

A tense and close game, played in heavy conditions, saw Rumney take on the league leaders and prove that they have the talent to equal any side in the division. They did however return to the indisciplined manner of some earlier games and this was to prove particularly costly on this occasion, the first stoppage of the match being a penalty awarded against the home side. Newbridge opened up in firey fashion battering the Rumney defences but unable to break them down, home flanker Ryan Fenton putting in thumping tackles and the threequarters cutting down handling movements. In the early set pieces the Rumney pack had the advantage, No8 Chris Jones, on his return to the 1st XV, leading from the back of the scrum but in the tenth minute the visitors went ahead when another infringement allowed outside half Richard Powell to kick the opening points. Rumney also suffered from multiple handling errors in the freezing conditions and Newbridge scrum half Gareth Betts and strong running No8 Lee Meredith unsettled the home side, Powell gratefully using further penalties to keep his side well in the opposition's territory and slotting a second place kick. Rumney hooker Michael Feneck and props John Leadbeatter and Darren Fenton were proving equally disruptive to Newbridge, the three front row players kicking and rushing and gathering loose balls to set up attacks, while full back Tom Daly and wingers Tom Powell and Lincoln Plummer started to find gaps for counterattacks. Despite errors and more penalties, the home side now started to lodge in the Newbridge half, second rows Michael Kelly and Paul Bull setting up good phases, with instant support from Chris Jones and flankers Ryan Fenton and Anthony Wilson, and there was a noticeable increase in errors from the visitors, which were immediately seized upon by centres Paul Niblett and Anthony Jones. It was now Newbridge who were conceding the penalties and Mr Davies' patience finally ran out, reducing them to thirteen men by the rapid issuing of two yellow cards. Wilson supplied clean lineout possession for rolling mauls but the visitors were very adept at legally pulling them down and Meredith was outstanding at cleaning up difficult balls behind a retreating scrum, added to which Rumney continued to make errors and even stretch their penalty total, until the half time whistle went with no points being put on the board.

It was a shaky start to the second half for Rumney, pinned down for long periods in their twenty two, further indiscipline keeping them there and the Newbridge sinners returning from the bin with their side not having conceded any points in their absence. Wilson made an excellent break out of a defensive position and Plummer, Darren Fenton and Bull combined well in a counterattcking movement, tenacious scrum half Lewis Andrews bossing his forwards and stopping threats from the opposition back row, and outside half Andrew Carlson putting in relieving line kicks. Newbridge were also starting to look more accomplished and adventurous in their handling and in the sixtieth minute winger Gary Wilks snapped up a loose ball, weaved his way through several tackles, exploiting the home side's first real defensive lapses, and crossed for the first try. Flanker Ryan Sutton and scrum half Chris Milton took to the field for the home side, Milton immediately linking well with Kelly and Bull to set up phase play and Sutton entering the fray and gaining valuable possession. In the sixty fifth minute, having won turnover ball, Rumney produced their most controlled period of the game, patiently going through through the phases, Leadbeatter, Wilson, Sutton, Kelly and Bull all working hard to keep useful ball, Darren Fenton making a decisive drive and Feneck slicing through for an excellent, well constructed try, Carlson's successful conversion closing the gap to 7 - 11. Rumney's current strength in depth was demonstrated with hooker Colin O'Donoghue, second row Joe Mills and prop David Evans taking the field, all three ensuring that the strength in the powerhouse was maintained but more unnecessary penalties resulted in the visitors being able to again apply pressure and take up strong attacking positions. In the seventy third minute the Newbridge pack gained a scrum under the Rumney posts and with a controlled drive, Meredith picked up and scored, Powell's conversion stretching the lead to 7 - 18. The home side again made a patient build up through phases, Sutton, Bull, Niblett, Anthony Jones and Evans carrying well and setting up good field positions, and Milton finally diving over for another fine try. Each side had scored two tries, but the large number of penalties conceded by Rumney throughout the game made it possible for Newbridge to always maintain their lead and run out winners at 12 - 18.

Paul Niblett, Captain and centre Rumney 1st XV : "I was very pleased with the effort of the boys, they stuck at it for the full eighty minutes and if it wasn't for a lack of discipline, we might possibly have won the game. We had a lot of ball and competed in all aspects, the pack was superb and kept us in the game in sticky conditions, they stepped up and took pressure off the backs. Chris Jones was excellent in his first game back and so was Paul Bull who won the Man of the Match award."

Lewis Andrews, scrum half Rumney 1st XV : "The conditions weren't too good, it was scrappy and we struggled to get the ball, but the boys stuck together and the forwards all had a great game. We kept at it for the full eighty minutes and scored two tries in the end, all in all it was a good performance."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers Gary Wilks (60 mins), Michael Feneck (65 mins), Lee Meredith (73 mins), Chris Milton (80 mins)

CARDIFF HIGH SCHOOL OLD BOYS 2nd XV v RUMNEY ATHLETIC

The Diamond Ground, Whitchurch, Cardiff
Saturday 21st February 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

CHSOB 2nd XV 9 Rumney Athletic 59

Scorers for Rumney Athletic : A.Solomon 3 tries, D.Clark try and 7 conversions, E.James try, M.Rowe 2 tries, S.Barry try, A.Leach try

RUMNEY YOUTH v BRIDGEND ATHLETIC YOUTH

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 14th February 2009, k.o. 11.00 am

Rumney Youth 3 Bridgend Athletic Youth 35

East District Youth Cup

RUMNEY YOUTH v GLAMORGAN WANDERERS YOUTH

Riverside Park, Rumney
Tuesday 17th February 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney Youth 7 Glamorgan Wanderers Youth 36

Scorers for Rumney Youth : J.Greenwood try, L.Facet conversion

SWALEC WRU Cup 2008-2009 - Round 5

RUMNEY v TREDEGAR

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 24th January 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney v Tredegar 28.04.2007
Past playing record : played 17 games, Rumney 8 wins, Tredegar 9 wins

Rumney : 15.Tom Daly 14.Tom Powell 13.Anthony Jones 12.Paul Niblett (Capt.) 11.Lincoln Plummer 10.Andrew Carlson 9.Lewis Andrews 1.John Leadbeatter 2.Michael Feneck 3.Darren Fenton 4.Paul Bull 5.Joe Mills 6.Neil Coles 7.Anthony Wilson 8.Michael Kelly Replacements : 16. Danny Clark 17.Craig Fitzpatrick 18.Shaun Spavin 19.Michael Peard 20.Ryan Sutton 21.Chris Milton 22.Ryan Fenton

Tredegar : 15.Rob Smith 14.Jamie Henthorne 13.Greg Jones 12.Darryl Carter 11.Dafydd James 10.Darren Pearce 9.Rob James 1.Brett Mounteney 2.Daniel Horsman 3.Brendon Sullivan 4.Jack Dawson (Capt) 5.Wayne Sims 6.Chris Oram 7.Chris James 8.David Ford Replacements (from) : Paul Edwards John Osbourne Paul Douglas Matthew Jolly Ian Evans Ryan Thomas Joe Campbell Jamie Sims Matt Taylor Damien Smith

Referee : Colin Kirkhouse, Birchgrove, Swansea

Rumney 12 Tredegar 7

Scorers for Rumney : John Leadbeatter try, Michael Kelly try, Lewis Andrews conversion

Scorers for Tredegar : Dafydd James try, Greg Jones conversion

Tredegar took the game to Rumney from the start and initially gained plenty of terrotorial advantage but were kept out by a stern home defensive line. Both sides made handling errors in the sticky conditions and a clash of heads led to Rumney's influential flanker Neil Coles having to leave the field, but their forwards were well organised and working efficiently together from the early stages, No8 Michael Kelly setting the tone for the afternoon by immediately driving forward, drawing in tacklers and gaining many yards. The visitor's defences were also sound and were tested by winger Tom Powell through powerful counterattacks. In the twenty first minute Rumney flanker Anthony Wilson made a clean take in the line and, guided by scrum half Lewis Andrews, the pack carefully mauled their way to the line where prop John Leadbeatter burrowed through for a good try. The home threequarters showed their attacking potential with Lincoln Plummer working the tramlines and centres Paul Niblett and Anthony Jones punching gaps through midfield, while full back Tom Daly found huge gaps and covered large distances. The Tredegar forwards went through the phases and steadily worked their way into the opposition half where they camped for long periods, outside half Darren Pearce coming near to scoring after a clever, close range break, but the Rumney set piece was excellent, their front row of Leadbeatter, Michael Feneck and Darren Fenton outstanding in the scrummage, and they gradually began pushing the visitors' pack backwards. In the thirty second minute, in a move that was very reminiscent of the one which led to the first try, Wilson again won clean ball in the lineout and the Rumney pack went through a series of phases in a well controlled drive which was finished off by Kelly gathering and touching down, Andrews providing an excellent long range conversion to take the score to 12 - 0. Kelly and second row Joe Mills increased their powerful forward drives and Daly continued to find space and Tredegar also threatened to score when full back Rob Smith, who had an oustanding game, cut through and released winger Jamie Henthorne, who was just stopped short of the tryline but no further points were added before the interval.

The game recommenced with further positive forward play by Tredegar who for the first time drove the home pack back, and using Captain Jack Dawson, second row Wayne Sims and No8 David Ford in particular, created tight rolling mauls. Flankers Chris Oram and Chris James added to the steady build up and were only stopped by fine tackles from home wing forward Ryan Fenton, second row Paul Bull and Darren Fenton. In the fiftieth minute, from an attacking scrum under the posts, Ford linked with scrum half Rob James, and with Smith coming in as the extra man, winger Dafydd James was put clear and scored a good try in the corner. Centre Greg Jones converted well to narrow the gap to 12 - 7 but although the home pack again began to dominate, Tredegar's revival was dealt a major blow when prop Paul Douglas was red carded. The visitors were still full of fire but Rumney outside half Andrew Carlson constantly pegged them back with accurate line kicking, as did Captain Paul Niblett who calmed things down to control and maintain his side's advantage, while Jones battered through midfield and Mills and Ryan Fenton were ferocious in exploiting the extra space. For the home side, prop Craig Fitzpatrick and flanker Ryan Sutton took to the field and exerted more controlled pressure in the scrums and lineouts, and they were followed shortly afterwards by scrum half Chris Milton and outside half Danny Clark who also tightened up the game. Rumney could not however close things down completely and Tredegar made further, contolled forward drives, again going through multiple phases, but the arrival of home second row Mike Peard made sure that the visitor's attacks were fully contained, and with Ryan Fenton and Sutton becoming more difficult to stop and Clark playing the corners, time ran out and Rumney moved into the last sixteen.

Right: Michael Kelly.

Mike Peard, Forwards Coach Rumney 1st XV : "We did a lot of preparation this week. Knowing how Tredegar play, that they are renowned for their strong forward platform and being aggressive in the ruck and set piece, we really pressed their pack and dominated the scrums. Our lineout was good and we disrupted the Tredegar lineout, stopped drives and set up a good platform and we went into half time with a 12 - 0 lead. We wanted to continue in the same vein in the second half but we got off to a bad start, Tredegar pushed us back in the scrum for the first time, we found ourselves under a bit of pressure and they scored. We regrouped and played better field positions and in the end it was a good win against a comitted Tredegar side. I am very pleased with the win, the front row was absolutely superb today, Michael Kelly played really well at No8 going forward with the ball, Andrew Carlson was comfortable at 10 and John Leadbeatter was the Man of the Match."

Andrew Carlson, outside half Rumney 1st XV : "In the first half we controlled the game and should have been more points up. We started the second half slowly and let Tredegar score, which opened up the game but when they had a man sent off it gave the advantage to us and we were too strong overall. It was a good team performance from the boys and we are looking forward to the next round."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : John Leadbeatter (21 mins), Michael Kelly (32 mins), Dafydd James (50 mins)

East District 2nd XV Cup 2008 - 2009

LLANTWIT MAJOR 2nd XV v RUMNEY ATHLETIC

Llantwit Major RFC
Saturday 24th January 2009, k.o. 2.30pm

Llantwit Major 2nd XV 5 Rumney Athletic 23

Scorers for Rumney Athletic : L.Fox 2 tries, S.Barry try, A.Solomon conversion and 2 penalties
Man of the Match : Jason Page

PENYGRAIG YOUTH v RUMNEY YOUTH

Penygraig RFC
Saturday 24th January 2009, k.o. 2.30pm

Penygraig Youth 18 Rumney Youth 9

Scorer for Rumney Youth : L.Facey 3 penalties

Man of the Match : Oliver Davies

SWALEC League Division 1 East

NEWPORT SARACENS v RUMNEY

Newport Saracens RFC
Saturday 17th January 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney v Newport Saracens 27.09.2008
Past playing record : played 7, Rumney 4 wins, Newport Saracens 3 wins

Rumney : 15.Tom Daly 14.Tom Powell 13.Anthony Jones 12.Paul Niblett (Capt.) 11.Andrew Carlson 10.Danny Clark 9.Lewis Andrews 1.John Leadbeatter 2.Michael Feneck 3.Darren Fenton 4.Paul Bull 5.Michael Kelly 6.Anthony Wilson 7.Ryan Fenton 8.Neil Coles Replacements : 16. Neal Ritchie 17.Craig Fitzpatrick 18.Simon Barry 19.Emyr James 20.Lincoln Plummer

Referee : Martyn Lewis

Newport Saracens 0 Rumney 5

Scorer for Rumney : Andrew Carlson try

Heavy overnight rain meant that parts of the Maesglas Playing Fields were reduced to patches of clinging, black mud but nevertheless both teams adapted well to the conditions and produced a tense and absorbing contest. A new look Newport Saracens team, containing only five players from the side which took to the field at Riverside Park in September, made the most of a series of free kicks and penalties which Rumney gave away in the opening period, scrum half Tyrone Mahoney and No8 Ross Madden attacking and taking play straight to the opposition pack. The visiting forwards responded well, hooker Michael Feneck snapping up any loose balls and second rows Paul Bull and Michael Kelly using their pace over the sticky turf to counterattack in midfield. Despite conceding the free kicks, Rumney settled quickly, flanker Anthony Wilson controlling the lineout and scrum half Lewis Andrews accurately distributing the ball with snap passing, and centre Paul Niblett making the first telling breaks through the Saracen's defensive line. The early scrums showed that the Rumney pack was able to push the larger Saracens eight backwards and in the backs, wingers Andrew Carlson and Tom Powell, and fullback Tom Daly were solid under high balls and able to counterattack and find gaps, but the persistent free kicks, particularly in the lineout, surrendered valuable possession to the home side. Rumney No8 Neil Coles and flanker Ryan Fenton were ferocious in attack and the danger posed by the backs was clear, even in the deteriorating conditions, when centre Anthony Jones made a superb break, almost resulting in a score. The Saracens were also keen to show off their running skills, despite the tacky surface, and full back Nicky Gould and winger Wesley Cunliffe demonstrated their speed and ability, but were rapidly closed down by the wide awake Rumney defence. The battle at forward remained intense but the scrummaging skills of the Rumney front row of John Leadbeatter, Feneck and Darren Fenton were outstanding and in the set piece, led to three takes against the head. In loose play Kelly and Ryan Fenton put the Saracens in reverse with their powerful exploitation of errors and turnovers, and outside half Danny Clark shrewdly controlled play with clean breaks and careful distribution. As the half progressed the visitors continued to stamp their authority on the game, lineout variations using Bull, and Coles and Ryan Fenton linking with their backs, created more options going forward, and with both teams trying to spin the ball, the Rumney centre partnership of Niblett and Jones ensured that no gaps appeared in the midfield defence.

Rumney started the second half with more good, controlled, forward dominated play, as did Newport Saracens, who kept things close to their pack and supplied outside half Owain Biddiscombe with clean ball, allowing him to accurately kick his side into strong upfield positions. This period was to prove to be the Saracen's best with Rumney finding themselves forced into defensive positions, but Andrews' decision making was excellent and the home side were not provided with any chances to gain turnovers or loose possession, and when Rumney coaches Steve Ford and Mike Peard rang the changes and introduced second row Emyr James, prop Craig Fitzpatrick and flanker Simon Barry, the emphasis changed again and before long the visitors had contained the home forwards and were camped back in Saracens' territory. The visitors willingness to counterattack from any position continued to put the opposition defence under stress, winger Lincoln Plummer coming on and running well from depth. Late in the game a good take in the lineout by James set Kelly off on a fine midfield break and the now dominant Rumney forwards combined well as a unit to concentrate play in the home twenty two and secure a crucial scrum. In the seventy sixth minute Coles broke powerfully from the back of the set piece and Feneck, Fitzpatrick and Leadbeatter carefully drove forward, creating phases until, in a desperate effort to stop the build up, indiscipline by the Saracens resulted in a penalty which Clark took quickly and Carlson accepted the perfect pass on the burst to crash over for the match winning try. The Saracens threw everything into the last minutes but the Rumney defence was sound and careful not to make any errors and Martyn Lewis's whistle soon announced the end of a titanic struggle and a valuable away win for the visitors.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "We turned up at one o'clock for a pitch inspection and it was 50/50 if the game would go ahead, but we knew that the side we had picked was very strong on paper and we had a good chance of taking on the big Newport Saracens pack. Even though the pitch didn't suit us today, we have dominated in our last four games, the set pieces have not been a problem and we gave the Saracens a torrid time winning the lineout and taking three strikes against the head. The contact area was the key today, it was a very physical game and difficult to keep hold of the ball, but in the contact area we did come up trumps and had quite a lot of ball. The Saracens used a rush defence, which we broke down a couple of times and we built up a bit of momentum, but we lost fifty-fifty ball when we spun it and that was quite frustrating. We also gave away penalties and that stopped our momentum, but at half time we talked about discipline in the ruck area and the importance of not giving penalties away, you can't win a game if you concede twenty penalties. The boys were working really hard and with the wind behind us in the second half, playing in the right areas and not trying to run it from eighty yards, I knew we'd be alright. Newport Saracens didn't do a great deal wrong today, our forwards stood up to their pack and carried it to them. The longer the game went on, the more chance there was that a penalty or a try might decide it, it was very even-Steven up until the seventy fifth minute when the ref gave us ten metres for ill discipline and Danny Clark gambled on a tapped penalty and it came off, with Andrew Carlson going over the whitewash. We must learn to close games off, not trying to run from our own twenty two when there are only two or three minutes to go and realise that sometimes you just have to get the ball off the park. All the boys deserve credit for sticking at it, the workrate of Ryan Fenton, Neil Coles and Tom Powell was great today and the Man of the Match was Anthony Wilson whose work in the ruck and maul and tackle area was phenomenal."

Anthony Wilson, flanker Rumney 1st XV : "All in all, considering the conditions, we played with a lot of heart, the pack dominated the set piece, the lineout and the scrum. Lewis Andrews had an excellent game, bossing the forwards and the backs, and the boys stuck to it and got the job done."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorer : Andrew Carlson (76 mins)

CWMAVON v RUMNEY ATHLETIC

Cwmavon RFC
Saturday 17th January 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Cwmavon 0 Rumney Athletic 62

Scorers for Rumney Athletic : R.Sutton 2 tries, C.Milton 2 tries and conversion, A.Solomon try and 4 conversions, K.Blake 2 tries, D.Turner try, G.Niblett 2 tries, G.Kemble conversion

RUMNEY 3rd XV v CLWB RYGBI 2nd XV

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 17th January 2009, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney 3rd XV 33 Clwb Rygbi 2nd XV 29

Scorers for Rumney 3rd XV : C.Jones try, S.Greedy try, L.Norman try, S.Bartlett try, S.Oliver try, M.Gaines 4 conversions

Webb Ellis Cup 2008 - 2009

RUMNEY YOUTH v ABERTILLERY YOUTH

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 3rd January 2009, k.o. 2.30pm

Rumney Youth 22 Abertillery Youth 19

Abertillery scored a try and converted it after 15 minutes, 0-7. Mike Slocombe then replied with a try within 10 minutes, Laurence Facey converted. From a penalty the ball bounced off the post and was collected by Joe Burns for an unconverted try. Third try for Rumney was scored by Jake Sweetingham and converted by Laurence Facey, followed by a penalty by Laurence Facey. Rumney led in the second half by 22-7 untill Abertillery came back in the last minutes of the game with two converted tries. Rumney defended well but it was taken to the wire ! They came away with a well deserved win and now look forward to either Merthyr or Bridgend Athletic in the quater finals at home on 14th February, the day of the Wales v England international.

SWALEC League Division 1 East

RUMNEY v UWIC

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 27th December 2008, k.o. 2.30pm

UWIC v Rumney 09.04.2008
Past playing record : played 11, Rumney 5 wins, UWIC 5 wins, 1 draw

Rumney : 15.Andrew Carlson 14.Tom Powell 13.Mike Benton 12.Paul Niblett (Capt.) 11.Lincoln Plummer 10.Danny Clark 9.Chris Milton 1.John Leadbeatter 2..Colin O'Donoghue 3.Darren Fenton 4.Paul Bull 5.Michael Kelly 6.Anthony Wilson 7.Ryan Fenton 8.Neil Coles Replacements : 16. Ryan Sutton 17.Dan Halliday 18.Simon Barry 19.Lewis Andrews 20.Michael Feneck

UWIC : 15.Alan Awcock 14.Ed Tellwright 13.Matt Trowbridge 12.Will Rees-Hole 11.Matthew John 10.Simon Humberstone 9.Derek Tredray 1.Tom Brown 2.Mike Catris 3.Dan Barlow 4.Owen Sidell 5.Gethin Davies 6.Luke Allen 7.Jack Shaw 8.Justin Pakes Replacements : 16.Gwesyn Price-Jones 17.Rikki Stout 18. Luke Dyckhoff 19.Carl Barrett 20.Jonathan Williams

Referee : Elwyn Marfell-Jones, Uplands, Swansea

Rumney 15 UWIC 14

Scorers for Rumney : Colin O'Donoghue try, Darren Fenton try, Danny Clark try

Scorers for UWIC : Will Rees-Hole try, Matthew John try, Alan Awcock 2 conversions

From the moment Rumney flanker Ryan Fenton collected the first clean ball of the game and thundered into the UWIC forwards it was clear that the home pack would not be taking a step backward, and this proved to be the case all afternoon. Both sides made mistakes in the opening minutes, the freezing temperatures and dazzling sunshine making handling initially difficult, but the two teams maintained a frantic pace and full commitment throughout the match and served up a thrilling Christmas spectacle. Home backs Lincoln Plummer and Andrew Carlson were soon fielding high balls and returning them with interest and when Rumney hooker Colin O'Donoghue led a furious forward drive it was an early indication that the Rumney pack was already gaining some advantage. With scrum half Chris Milton guiding the forwards and organising play, flanker Anthony Wilson came close to scoring but the Students fought back and spent a long period in home territory, though they were unable to put points on the board and wing Tom Powell's sterling defence and outside half Danny Clark's line kicking kept it that way. The UWIC centre combination of Matt Trowbridge and Will Rees-Hole looked particularly dangerous but Rumney centres Paul Niblett and Mike Benton contained them and forced play wide where the Students found it difficult to penetrate, the home side's tight defence blunting one of the most potent attacking forces in the division. The dominance of the Rumney pack increased with more drives from props John Leadbeatter and Darren Fenton, strongly supported by second rows Michael Kelly and Paul Bull. Outstanding work from the back of the scrum by home No8 Neil Coles caused problems for the visitors but this was compounded when they received a yellow card from Elwyn Marfell-Jones and in the thirty fourth minute, following a series of controlled phases, Milton carefully chose his time to send O'Donoghue away for a well taken corner try. Clark and Niblett's skills in midfield nearly set up Plummer for a try, the winger just being forced in touch at the corner, but the writing was on the wall and superb ripping by Darren Fenton and aggressive backing up by Bull saw the prop complete more well constructed phases by burrowing over for his side's second try and a half time score of 10 - 0.

UWIC started the second half in a more controlled fashion though Powell still gave them a torrid time with his counterattacks and Benton pressurised the opposition into errors, but the tighter approach of the visiting forwards set up a good position near the touchline, from which scrum half Derek Tredray fired the ball out and in a fine piece of typical UWIC back play Rees-Hole cut back in the opposite direction, scything through the defence and scoring an excellent try under the posts. Full back Alan Awcock added the conversion to bring the score to 10 - 7, at which point Simon Barry and Michael Feneck took to the field for the home side and with Leadbeatter, Kelly, Wilson and Bull powering into rucks and mauls, with aggressive work around the fringes from Coles and the Fentons, the Rumney pack maintained their domination and control. Powell continued to excel in counterattacking from high balls and in the sixty fifth minute, when he linked with Carlson, set up a good attacking position for the forwards, Milton's cunning chip kick setting up Clark for a well taken individual try. A tense period followed for Rumney as the UWIC pack enjoyed their best section of the game, throwing all their efforts into controlled forward drives, but with Ryan Fenton and Bull cutting down attackers with faultless tackling, the Students were kept out until the seventy second minute when UWIC outside half Simon Humberstone took a quick free kick, linked with Awcock and sent wing Matthew John in at the corner for an unopposed try. Awcock slotted the difficult conversion. The tension increased further as Rumney sought to defend their single point lead, scrum half Lewis Andrews coming on to supply some of his characteristic long kicks out of defence and flanker Ryan Sutton joining the forwards to secure the lineout and control the fringes. Wilson and Ryan Fenton carefully cleared up and secured possession in the face of numerous attacks by the visitors, and Clark kicked well to drive the students in reverse, Powell still running back any threatening UWIC kicks. The careful defensive approach proved to be the right one as Rumney contained play and in the last few minutes ran down the clock for an outstanding, hard fought victory.

Right: Colin O'Donoghue.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "We knew that our platform had to be right, especially against UWIC. Our lineout and scrum were of paramount importance and we spoke about having a high intensity game. Our scrum was a rock and we were getting the first hits in, it makes a lot of difference when you can do that and when you have all your own lineout ball too, it is bound to breed confidence. The contact area was well fought and we just came out on top, all in all the forwards gave us a good platform. We had a good idea how UWIC would play, we stopped their second pod from getting over the gain line and then we knew we had the upper hand up front. In the first half we did exactly what we set out to do and kept the Students on the back foot, but at half time I knew there might be problems because as soon as there is a lull we fall asleep. We have to play our phases and not do silly things in our own half. We did fall asleep in places in the second half and UWIC tried to run the ball but some of their passing came unstuck, our defence held up and we stopped them playing, they pushed the ball too far and we kept them out. Overall we are pleased with our win, it was hard but we got a few vital points. Our improvement started away at Merthyr and the last three performances have been superb, we just need a bit of consistency in our play and we'll be fine. We don't talk about survival, we are looking to finish as high as we can and we are more than capable of doing it by hard work. We don't pay players, we rely on our mini, junior and youth sections paying dividends for us and we had a couple of youth boys in the squad today so we are going in the right direction. The Man of the Match was Darren Fenton, he scrummaged hard and worked tirelessly in the rucks and mauls. "

Michael Kelly, second row Rumney 1st XV : "In the first half we were very clinical in all we did, the forwards dominated and the scrum was very strong, it gave a good platform for the backs and we scored some good tries. I felt we were on top of the UWIC pack. Colin O'Donoghue had a great game and so did Paul Bull. We have improved in every one of the last three games and we're going to continue this way next week. "

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Steve O'Donoghue, Paul Bull, Will Rhys-Hole, Danny Clark, Matthew Johns

Rumney Vets v Rumney Youth

Riverside Park, Rumney
26th December 2008

Rumney Youth v Rumney Vets 26.12.2004

Rumney Vets 31 Rumney Youth 33

SWALEC WRU Cup 2008-2009 - Round 4

RUMNEY v MONMOUTH

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 20th December 2008, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney : 15.Tom Daly 14.Tom Powell 13.Andrew Carlson 12.Paul Niblett (Capt.) 11.Lincoln Plummer 10.Danny Clark 9.Chris Milton 1.John Leadbeatter 2..Colin O'Donoghue 3.Darren Fenton 4.Paul Bull 5.Michael Kelly 6.Ryan Sutton 7.Ryan Fenton 8.Neil Coles Replacements : 16.Craig Fitzpatrick 17.Matthew Way 18.Simon Barry 19.Lewis Andrews 20.Michael Feneck

Monmouth : 15.Dave Brace 14.Alan Roberts 13.Anthony Layne 12.Huw Adams 11.Jack Butler 10.Andrew Davies (Capt) 9.Kyle Price 1.Paul Stockley 2.Mark Jones 3.Matthew Ricketts 4.John Powell 5.Matthew Edwards 6.Joel Price 7.Tom Homer 8.Mike Griffiths Replacements : 16.Lee Watkins 17.Stacey Edwards 18.Brad Morgan 19.Chris Reed 20.Dewi Lane

Referee : David Swain, Penarth

Rumney 55 Monmouth 3

Scorers for Rumney : Andrew Carlson 3 tries, Lincoln Plummer 2 tries, T.Daly try, P.Niblett try, Colin O'Donoghue try, Danny Clark try and 5 conversions

Scorer for Monmouth : Dave Brace penalty

The opening period was a very equally fought contest and found a strong Monmouth pack keeping play in the Rumney half of the field. The visitors utilised powerful No8 Mike Griffiths to control and protect the ball and both sides handled surprisingly well in the slippery conditions. Home flanker Ryan Sutton immediately showed his prowess in the lineout and the first forward drive was effective and well controlled by props John Leadbeatter and Darren Fenton and second row Michael Kelly. Rumney half backs Chris Milton and Danny Clark and centres Paul Niblett and Andrew Carlson soon showed an appetite to break the gain line, but the visitors tackled efficiently, full back Dave Brace and flanker Tom Homer stopping counterattacks and creating turnovers. The first fifteen minutes were all played in Rumney territory, Monmouth's second rows John Powell and Matthew Edwards working well in lineouts and scrums, but although the home side conceded penalties, the visitors could not turn their advantage into points and excellent tackles by Rumney second rows Paul Bull and Kelly prevented any try being scored. In the twenty fourth minute Rumney finally cut loose with a devastating handling movement out of defence and when Monmouth countered Milton and home No8 Neil Coles gained turnover ball which hooker Colin O'Donoghue used to set Niblett free and the centre drew in defenders before supplying Carlson with a try scoring pass. Monmouth replied with a long range penalty by Brace but Rumney were now showing plenty of confidence and slick handling in the backs and Bull and Kelly setting up multiple phases. The action was now all in the Monmouth half and a vital steal in the line by Sutton allowed O'Donoghue to send out another long pass to the backs where Carlson dummied through for a thirty sixth minute try under the posts. Leading 19 - 3, Rumney speedster Tom Daly initiated a brilliant counterattack, linking with Milton and putting winger Lincoln Plummer away for a try, Clark's conversion stretching the lead further, and on the stroke of half time Niblett took a quick penalty to start another stunning movement, again involving Daly, and resulting in Plummer again scorching in for a touchdown.

With the half time scoreboard reading 26 - 3, Rumney resumed with a magnificent end of line take by Sutton which sparked another handling movement between the forwards and backs, finished off with a Daly try and an excellent conversion by Clark. The Monmouth scrum remained solid throughout the game but pressure was resulting in errors in the backs, largely caused by the close attention of Coles, the dynamic Ryan Fenton and Sutton. Rumney winger Tom Powell had been difficult to contain all afternoon and in the sixty first minute he took a quick throw in which caught the visiting defenders knapping and Niblett went over out wide for another fine try. Rumney Coach Steve Ford started to ring the changes bringing on back row Matthew Way and Lewis Andrews on the wing, and when Sutton again supplied quality ball for Kelly to rampage upfield and Milton released the backs for Carlson to score his second try. Forwards Michael Peard and Simon Barry took the field for the home side and from good phased play, Clark fired out a high kick finding O'Donoghue in space on the wing and most willing to collect and score a clever try. Rumney hooker Michael Feneck and prop Craig Fitzpatrick combined with Peard to drive upfield, supported by Andrews and Powell, and more good possession allowed Clark to skip through under the posts. Monmouth continued to battle and offer stern resistance until Mr Swain brought the proceedings to a close at 55 - 3.

Mike Peard, Forwards Coach Rumney 1st XV : "Obviously I am very pleased with the win. All the boys will tell you that Monmouth were a gutsy, strong side in the contact area and put in a very good performance. Our gameplan was to keep the ball tight for the first twenty minutes to try and zap some of the energy of the strong Monmouth forwards. This worked and we picked up on a few mistakes out wide and ran in some nice tries. It is nice to see the boys enjoying playing, it is tough in the league and in the last few weeks we have moved on well. It was like it again in today's cup match and they had a smile on their faces. The set pieces were pretty even, the lineout was good and towards the end we were working with quick ball. There were some very good performances from Andrew Carlson and Ryan Fenton, Tom Daly showed off his running skills and the Man of the Match was Colin O'Donoghue, who had a great game, was very abrasive and set good targets for us."

Chris Milton, scrum half Rumney 1st XV : "We were a lot more organised than in the last few weeks, the forwards shaped up, put the phases together and we scored some nice tries. Colin O'Donoghue, Ryan Fenton and Danny Clark played particularly well. When Monmouth came through a few times the forwards sorted it out and in the second half we had plenty of good ball."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Mallett Cup Round 2

RUMNEY ATHLETIC v ST JOSEPHS 2ND XV

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 20th December 2008, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney Athletic 34 St Josephs 2nd XV 3

Ron Lucock Cup Round 2

LLANDAFF NORTH 3rd XV V RUMNEY 3rd XVM

Hailey Park Park, Llandaff North, Cardiff
Saturday 20th December 2008, k.o. 2.30 pm

Llandaff North 3rd XV 11 Rumney 3rd XV 17

RUMNEY YOUTH V MERTHYR YOUTH

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 20th December 2008, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney Youth 0 Merthyr Youth 20

WHITCHURCH v RUMNEY 3rd XV

Cae Delyn Park, Whitchurch, Cardiff
Saturday 13th December 2008, k.o. 2.30 pm

Whitchurch 3 Rumney 3rd XV 12

Scorers for Rumney : M. Carey 2 tries, J. Wheeler conversion.

SWALEC League Division 1 East

MERTHYR v RUMNEY

The Wern, Merthyr
Saturday 6th December 2008, k.o. 2.30 pm

Merthyr v Rumney 15.01.2005
Past playing record : played 19, Merthyr 9 wins, Rumney 7 wins, 3 draws

Rumney : 15.Tom Daly 14.Tom Powell 13.Joey Offside 12.Paul Niblett (Capt.) 11.Lincoln Plummer 10.Danny Clark 9.Chris Milton 1.Colin O'Donoghue 2.Michael Feneck 3.Michael Kelly 4.A.Wilson 5.R.Sutton 6.Ryan Fenton 7.Simon Barry 8.Neil Coles

Merthyr : 15.A.Hutchings 14.D.Hitchins 13.B.Warburton 12.H.Morgan 11.J.Hill 10.P.Matthews 9.T.Dickens 1.M.Rees 2.A.Fowler 3.R.James 4.R.Mordecai 5.D.Lynch 6.S.Whadan 7.R.Miles 8.B.Morgan Replacements : 16.A.Williams 17.L.Woods 18.J.Bull 19.L.Stapleton 20.J.Carbora

Referee : Lynn Davies, Porth

Merthyr 17 Rumney 11

Scorers for Rumney : T.Daly try, D.Clark 2 penalties

Scorers for Merthyr : A.Hutchings try, B.Warburton try, P.Matthews penalty and 2 conversions

It was a confident looking Rumney side which took the field at The Wern for the first time in almost four years and locked horns the big Merthyr pack in a very fast paced opening period. Both sides tested each other out and play was contained mostly between the twenty-twos, Rumney centre Paul Niblett and hooker Michael Feneck making the early breaks and when the Ironmen counterattacked, visiting winger Lincoln Plummer pulled of an excellent try saving tackle. Trying to secure the maximum amount of possession, Rumney gave away penalties but Merthyr's determination to spread the ball wide paid dividends in the eighteenth minute when centre Ben Warburton broke through weak tackles to cross under the sticks. Paul Matthew's conversion gave the home side a 7 - 0 win but the visitors were full of attacking options, winger Tom Powell showing excellent skills under the high ball and running it back through the opposition, and second row Anthony Wilson driving forward from rucks and loose mauls. Rumney fullback Tom Daly was posing all sorts of problems for the Merthyr defenders and when he was brought down by a high tackle in the twenty fifth minute, outside half Danny Clark slotted the penalty. Home outside half Matthews replied with a penalty in the thirtieth minute and five minutes later was called up to kick the conversion after scrum half Tom Dickens conjured up a clever miss-move allowing full back Andrew Hutchings to evade three tacklers and score another try at the posts. Rumney second row Ryan Sutton gained praise from home and away supporters for his tireless work and ball winning skills, and the powerful back row combination of flankers Ryan Fenton and Simon Barry and No8 Neil Coles succeeded in creating and exploiting spaces in midfield, while props Colin O'Donoghue and Michael Kelly worked effectively with Feneck to move the home forwards about the field. Powell continued to counterattack from high balls, scrum half Chris Milton constantly threatened with probing breaks, and Barry and Plummer made inroads into opposition territory, but Rumney continued to concede penalties, even in attacking positions, and had to rely on centres Niblett and Joey Offside to sew up the midfield, particularly when Hutchings made a number of dangerous runs. In the thirty ninth minute Clark kicked a second penalty for a half time score of 17 - 6.

The two sides conceded more penalties after the break but the high pace of the game was maintained, and both defences showed their strengths with decisive tackling by forwards and backs, for Rumney Kelly and Wilson proving very effective in containing rolling mauls. The high pace inevitably led to errors and in the seventieth minute Milton snapped up a loose ball and instantly fed Clark who sliced through from his own twenty two and delivered a perfect pass to Daly who was unstoppable on his race to the corner, scoring the outstanding try of the day. Clark made further impressive breaks and flanker Rhys Miles and centre Harri Morgan looked dangerous for the Ironmen, but with such an equal contest, the advantage remained with Merthyr and the home side ensured their victory by playing a tight game in the final minutes, until Lynn Davies' whistle eventually announced no side.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "Our build up for this game was very much disrupted because we did not have a front row. We contacted nine props but they were all unavailable so we had to revert to passive scrums with only fifteen boys. We knew it would be a difficult afternoon and we had to concentrate on the set piece, it was fairly even in the first half and we battled heroically, but we kept missing first time tackles and Merthyr easily got over the gainline. It was played at a hundred miles an hour and something had to give, but we missed seven or eight tackles in the first half and couldn't get any territory. The ruck is a major problem for us and we gave away vital penalties in the contact area. Merthyr picked a very big side but we turned round at half time at 17 - 6, full of self belief, we were matching them pound for pound. In the second half we had the slope but too much of the game was played between the twenty-twos and although we were moving Merthyr around and had enough ball, we still didn't have enough territory. A lot of people thought it would be a case of limiting the damage, but we didn't see it like that, it was a very even contest throughout the game, we had a couple of chances and we came away with a bonus point using just fifteen guys. It was all I could have hoped for today as a coach, the players showed their true colours today, from one to fifteen they were superb. It was nice to see Colin O'Donoghue back on track, it was his first game for a long time and he battled well and carried the ball over the gainline. The Man of the Match was Anthony Wilson who tackled heroically all day long and whose commitment in the ruck and maul was outstanding. I would like to give a special mention to Michael Kelly and his wife Jo, congratulating them on their new born baby who arrived last week."

Left: Tom Daly, Right: Michael Feneck.

Michael Feneck, hooker Rumney 1st XV : "All the boys fronted up well, their backs were against the wall and they all played with their hearts. We matched Merthyr in the contact area when the game broke up, all the forwards dug in well. Tom Powell had a great game on the wing."

Click here to see all the tries from this game and add your comments

Try scorers : Ben Warburton (18 mins), Andrew Hutchings (34 mins), Tom Daly (60 mins)

SWALEC WRU Cup 2008-2009 - Round 3

RUMNEY v SKEWEN

Riverside Park, Rumney
Saturday 15th November 2008, k.o. 2.30 pm

Rumney : 15.Tom Daly 14.Dave Turner 13.Andrew Carlson 12.Paul Niblett (Capt.) 11.Lincoln Plummer 10.Danny Clark 9.Tom Powell 1.John Leadbeatter 2.Michael Feneck 3.Matt Russell 4.Paul Bull 5.Joe Mills 6.Neil Coles 7.Ryan Fenton 8.Simon Barry Replacements : 16.Craig Fitzpatrick 17.Colin O'Donoghue 18.Ryan Sutton 19.Anthony Wilson 20.Chris Milton

Skewen : 15.Gareth Morris 14.James Bull 13.Gareth Williams 12.Gareth Evans 11.Simon Jeremy 10.Phil Hughes 9.Aled Wells 1.Rhys Jenkins 2.Rhodri Hughes (Capt) 3.Paul Davies 4.Jonathan Grimes 5.David Carter 6.David Absalom 7.Chris O'Connor 8.Scott Jeremy Replacements : 16.Chris Dunnel 17.Anthony Busselli 18.James Reeves 19.Edward Price 20.James Ball

Referee : Neil Howells, Maesteg

Rumney 15 Skewen 0

Scorers for Rumney : D. Clarke try, conversion and penalty, T. Daly try

A high paced start found Rumney centre Andrew Carlson and wing David Turner immediately attacking the opposition defences and scrum half Tom Powell probing and disrupting, while prop John Leadbeatter and flanker Neil Coles drove forward deep into Skewen territory, and wing forward Ryan Fenton attracted the attention of desperate tacklers as he headed for the try line. The bigger and heavier home pack was able to exert intense pressure with Coles and Powell forming a strong partnership at the back of the scrum and No8 Simon Barry picking up and carrying well. Skewen countered the Rumney domination of the scrum by gaining quick ball and using No8 Scott Jeremy in defensive and attacking positions, a role he filled very well throughout the game. Fenton's forward drives were an oustanding feature of the opening period but Rumney showed a tendency to concede penalties by killing the ball in attacking positions and Skewen outside half Phil Hughes gratefully pegged play back downfield. A series of particularly good forward drives led by second rows Paul Bull and Joe Mills, and well supported by prop Matt Russell and hooker Michael Feneck, forced the visitors to give away penalties in an attempt to stop the careful build up of phases, and in the twenty fifth minute Rumney outside half Danny Clark opened the scoring with a successful penalty kick.

Skewen worked their way back into the home side's half where second rows Jonathan Grimes and David Carter secured lineout ball, and were unlucky not to score when a good threequarter movement was only stopped by a very tight defence. Rumney fullback Tom Daley produced a dazzling counterattack from his own half and was just brought down by a strong tackle from opposite number Gareth Morris, but now the home backs were becoming increasingly dangerous, Captain Paul Niblett drawing in defenders and wing Lincoln Plummer appearing in different positions looking for work. Feneck and Mills again drove forward and from a subsequent quick penalty, Powell caused havoc before releasing the backs. Niblett again cut through drawing in a number of tacklers, and with Leadbeatter, Russell and Feneck working as a tight unit the ball was recycled for Coles to attack the tryline and, when the ball was switched wide, for Clark to cross and touchdown. There was no further scoring in the first half and at the interval the scoreboard read Rumney 8 Skewen 0.

A scrappy start to the second half found both sides making unforced errors, but Skewen showed plenty of skill in the tight and worked their way deep into home territory before Russell and Bull secured possession, controlled a forward drive and released Clark whose elusive break took play well away from the danger zone. Flanker Ryan Sutton and prop Craig Fitzpatrick took the field for Rumney at a time when Skewen were enjoying their best period of the game. The wet conditions meant that many passes were dropped but as the half progressed the pressure being exerted by the home forwards was becoming more significant and the visitors' defences were becoming increasingly threatened, outside half Hughes being called upon to make good clearances, often under intense pressure. Sutton was now dominating all the lineouts and hooker Colin O'Donoghue came on and maintained the dominance of the scrum, but Skewen were still ready to run the ball and continued to look dangerous when they spread it wide to wings James Bull and Simon Jeremy. In the seventieth minute a Skewen attack was turned over and Powell fired the ball out to Plummer who tore down the wing and linked with Daly, who soared through the last lines of defence to score an excellent try under the posts. Clark added the points and the final ten minutes saw scrum half Chris Milton come on for the home side, carefully keeping control of play and Clark and Niblett working the corners to make sure that no slip ups would occur. Neil Howell's final whistle was a pleasing sound to Rumney ears, the difficult task of defeating a talented and resolute Skewen side having been accomplished, and a place in Round 4 secured by the 15-0 scoreline.

Steve Ford, Coach Rumney 1st XV : "Our preparation was hampered by the bad weather and we were only able to train once this week, but the warm up was spot on and we knew this was a big game for us, we had to perform today because recently we have definitely been underperforming. It showed today how important the set piece is, especially the scrum, which we dominated and where we put Skewen under a lot of pressure. That gives you an edge in confidence, we had good ball in the first half but didn't penetrate the gain line, we didn't know what to do with all the possession and tended to go across field. It was always the case that we were going to score but we gave away unforced errors and when we tried to offload our last passes they were going to ground. We had the wind in the second half and were confident that we could set targets to get over the gainline and play the corners. Skewen battled hard and had a very good defence which was hard to break down but when the ball went through the hands to Lincoln Plummer and then Tom Daly, we scored a lovely try. We didn't see enough of that today, it was stop and start, especially in the second half and that was a bit frustrating. It was a good result, to win 15 - 0 after four losses, a result which I would certainly have taken if I had been offered it at 2.30 ! A special mention goes to Simon Barry and Ryan Fenton who were outstanding again today and the Man of the Match was Neil Coles who was brilliant, carrying and tackling like a good old fashioned forward."

Tom Powell, scrum half Rumney 1st XV : "We did well and it was good to get a win. It was an ugly win considering the difficult conditions, but the pack did play very well, particularly in the scrums. I feel that I did well, it was slippery and I made mistakes, but overall I'm happy. Ryan Fenton had an excellent game and the pack in general was very good."