News

Cwmcarn 7 Malpas 34
Malpas made to work hard for their win
Cwmcarn faced a Malpas side riding high in the league, with only a narrow loss to Markham against them; knowing Malpas had thrashed them only a couple of months earlier, in what was one of Carn's most embarassing performances this author can recall. Take into account that Carn had lost to basement boys Abersychan the week before - then the omens were not good for Carn avoiding another thrashing.
By the time Carn came to the pitch, Malpas were well into their warm up routine and looking confident. There was a feeling among both the coaching staff and the players that in spite of last weeks loss; we were starting to click as a team and believe in ourselves. This game would see if Carn were deluded or not.
Malpas came out determined and it wasn't long before they scored their first try. Unlike the previous encounter, they were at least made to work hard for it. There were no glaring gaps in defence or people falling feebly off tackles. Scrum time was good, with Malpas invariably being pushed back and we were winning most of our line-out ball, though this was an area that Malpas excelled at.
In spite of some real endeavour, keen tackling and Simon Hopkins giving us some good go-forward ball, Carn could not break down the Malpas defence. In fact Malpas went on to score four more tries in the half and turn around 29-0 up at half-time.
In the not too distant past, this would have demoralised Cwmcarn and had them doubting themselves; likely ending up as a 70 point thrashing. But a rousing half-time sermon from coaches Andy and Euian, alongside increasing self belief, meant there wasn't that sinking feeling.
Malpas came at Carn hard and clearly wanted more tries, but suddenly found themselves up against the Cwmcarn terriers. Openside Reuben seemed to be everywhere making tackles- He really does eat his Weetabix. The scrums were tight and if they suddenly became a bit loose, number 8 Todd Sterry identified the problem and shored it up. Simon Hopkins continued making the hard yards, in spite of complaining of neck ache from the second scrum (He may hate loosehead but he's pretty good at it). With our backs fronting up too, Malpas suddenly realised they were in a dogfight.
Malpas continued to dominate possession and territory, but could not break through for the tries they were looking for, until around 25 minutes into the second half. This seemed to spur Carn on to try even harder to get one of their own and following wave after wave of attacking play; captain Jabba, scored from a trademark crash ball at close range - That well manicured, brown shiny chest bouncing off would be tacklers with gay abandon. Dan Evans duly converted and the score was 34-7. Carn had to work hard for that try, but it felt good when it came.
Malpas came back hard and looked like they might score a try at the death - Thwarted by the ever present Reuben and Coops making an excellent try saving tackle. In the best performance of the season so far, Cwmcarn won the second half 7-5 against a good side. A small but important victory.
STAND-OUT PLAYER/S
Simon Hopkin
Reuben

PS: Our coach Andrew ? smiled and it wasn't just a baby burp...the omens are good

 

 

David Richards
rothrock1@aol.com