A Bonfire Night firecracker performance saw the Cardiff & Vale U12s side make it three wins out of three when they welcomed Gwent to Old Penarthians RFC for the first home game of the season.
After only 52 seconds the ball was moved quickly out to the right wing for Jack Huntley to run in the opening score. This was quickly followed by two wonderful tries from outside centre Gabriel Davies. The first was set up by some excellent rucking from the Cardiff & Vale forwards, but the second was a 65m individual effort coming from broken play. Both were converted by outside half Josh Rees to see the home side 19 points up after just 8 minutes.
In the second quarter the Gwent side mounted a spirited fight back. However, the defensive skills of the Cardiff & Vale side proved very effective as they soaked up a number of attacks. Indeed they eventually turned the the ball over and Gabriel Davies completed his hat-trick just before half time. With Josh Rees adding the conversion the home side lead 26-0 at the interval.
In the second half the visitors certainly raised their game, and though no points were scored for over 18 minutes this did not detract from the game as a spectacle. Some excellent rugby was played as both defences were tested again and again. Eventually it was the Gwent defence that broke down and replacement outside half Rhys Griffin made a superb brake to run in a 25m try that was converted by fullback Danny Wardle. As the half closed scrum half Will Baird saw the opportunity to take a quick penalty and brushed passed some tired tackling to score in the corner.
That looked like the end of the game, at least to the home side. However, the visitors had other ideas and their outside centre powered through from 20m to score under the posts in the third minute of injury time. The conversion was missed and the game ended at 38-5. Again there were many creditable performances in the Cardiff & Vale side. The forwards rucked particularly well and this was complemented by crisp handling in the backs. The man of the match performance came from prop Gus McPherson for his bustling runs and superb skills in the contact area.
Junior Coaches Required
CRICC Harlequins started in the 2004/2005 season as an under-14 side. It was formed in partnership with Cardiff High School Old Boys RFC and CRICC Rugby. The inaugural season was a success and this season there are three junior teams at U-14, 15 and 16
In order to make the boys coaching sessions and match-day supervision a success we need to find another 2 or 3 willing people to join the coaching team. We do not have enough coaches to go around at the moment and are genuinely concerned about the long term future of the U14 and U15 Age Groups at the Club.
We are sending out this request to any qualified rugby coaches who would like to become involved within a well run, friendly environment whereby we would assist/support toward your personal development as a coach. Even if you are a young and upcoming newly qualified coach, then we would welcome your assistance and provide valuable coaching experience and opportunities for you.
If you are interested in having a Coaching Involvement with CRICC Harlequins please contact Matthew Adams on 07966 750314 or e mail [email protected]
For further info regarding Mini and Junior Rugby at CRICC and Cardiff High School Old Boys RFC please visit:
www.cricc.org
www.chsobrfc.co.uk