Fixture

Risca arrived at Riverside Park looking to avenge their defeat from earlier in the season. Rumney managed to field a strong side despite some enforced late changes, due to illness and injury, with Harrry Jarrett and Ryan Bevan stepping up to the plate.

Risca looked from the outset to utilise a big pack of forwards to take on the Rumney eight. An early lineout for Rumney, just inside their own was fielded well, but Risca were quick to read the Rumney play and intercepted the missed pass, for the Risca centre to run in an early try under the posts making the conversion easy. 0-7 after 5 minutes.  Risca continued with good early pressure taking the game to Rumney, despite the defensive efforts of Rumney, Risca scored a well deserved try and converted well making the score 0-14 after 15 minutes.

Rumney captain Michael Young rallied his team with some stern words of wisdom, which proved fruitful and gained an immediate response from his players. A scrum in the Risca 22 led to a trademark try for scrum half Chris Milton, darting over from the base of the scrum converted by Danny Clark. 7-14 after 20 minutes.  Rumney then piled on the pressure forcing Risca to defend hard, but more good ball retention by the pack gave the backs a chance to shine with good interplay between centres Wayne Dacruz and Paul King, producing an excellent try for the Rumney ‘try machine’ Paul King racing in from 60metres. 12-14 after 30 minutes. The game fragmented slightly with both sides trying to run the ball but Rumney discipline at the breakdown gave Risca the opportunity to go ahead at half time with a well taken penalty kick.

Half Time – Rumney 12 Risca 17

Straight from the off in the second half Rumney showed their intent with some strong driving mauls by the forwards, gaining a lineout inside the Risca half. Rumney took the lineout well and coupled with strong driving, the forwards gave Rumney captain Michael Young a well deserved and orchestrated try. 17 -17 after 50 minutes. Risca retaliated almost immediately from the kick off with a well worked try of their own making it 17-24 after 54 minutes.

The dominant Rumney pack came to the fore again which unfortunately, for the third week in a row, lead to passive scrummaging being enforced meaning the advantage in the scrum had gone. This however did not deter Rumney who played to their strengths and a searing break from stand out player Paul King gave him his second try of the game and Rumney the try bonus point. Converted by Danny Clark bringing the scores level at 24-24 after 68 minutes. Not to be outdone by his centre partner, Wayne Dacruz grabbed an almost length of the field try following some good interplay between forwards and backs with accurate passing from Rumney outside half Danny Clark putting him into space. The try converted by Danny Clark gave Rumney a well deserved lead 31-24.

Overall a good game of rugby with Rumney dominating in large areas of the field but Risca playing their part, looking to snaffle any loose play by Rumney and taking their opportunities well.

Final Score Rumney 31 Risca 24.

Rumney RFC DoR Mark Gains  – The opening twenty minutes today were a coaches nightmare, with the boys tending to lose their way. Good captaincy from Michael Young proved crucial, having the experience not to panic when going 14 -0 early in the game. Overall a tremendous effort today, our forwards producing the best scrummaging display of the season thus far, which gave the backs the opportunity to show their prowess in attack, something I have waited all season to see. A solid team performance, but worthy of a mention is Paul King for an excellent all round display.

Man of the Match – Todays man of the match was awarded to a player who has put in some quality performances of late, displaying great consistency. For his efforts in both attack, defence, searing lines of running and grabbing another brace of tries, the award goes to the try machine Rumney centre Paul King. Well done Paul.