Fixture

Last week at Blackwood RFC’s Glanyrafon Park, Crumlin added the Bryn Meredith Shield to the WRU National Division 5 Cup.  There was however a lot of confusion as to whether the game was also going to count as a league fixture in the week building up to the game.  20 minutes before kick off it was settled the game was NOT going to count in the league and Crumlin would have to go to Hollybush on Tuesday for the league game.  After the 46-5 win and 5 minutes after the Bryn Meredith Plate was presented to Crumlin, Hollybush confirmed the game WOULD also count as the league match.  Finishing on the same number of points as Bettws but with better head to head results and more tries and more points scored and better points difference it was believed, by all, that Crumlin had indeed won the league as well.  Then 24 hours later it transpired that Bettws were still in pole position as they had won more games than Crumlin (10 v 9).  SO, we moved forward to today’s vital league deciding clash with Brynithel on our very own Kay Field.  What would lift the title for Crumlin?  A win of any sort, a draw, or even a losing bonus point for staying within 7 points.   This is what stood between a treble winning season and THE MIGHTY CRUM.

Crumlin gave a senior debuts youth players Joshua Worsfold and Blake Smith.  They join back row brothers Aaran and Connor Lloyd and prop Efan Passmore as youth players who have made their senior starts for Crumlin this season.  Passmore even picked up Forward of the Match in last week’s Bryn Meredith Shield field.  Back of the Match in the Shield Final was wing Taylor Smith.  Callum Cottle became the 14^th of those Piglets and 44th player to pull on the black and amber this season, with 24 of them being 22 or under.

A gloriously sunny afternoon on the Kay Field was going to be a tough outing for both teams but as they proved last week at Blackwood, Crumlin were more than up for running rugby in the heat.  Any team who averages 7 tries a game must play this running game.

It only took 5 minutes for Crumlin to open their account.  With the front row containing two 18 year-old youth players, 23 year old Nathan Evans was the veteran.  They dominated the first couple of scrums and the second one against the head was snapped up by number 8 Euan Lewis in the 22 who set the backs running.  The ball went right, and from the ruck out wide Steele Lewis got the ball moving again. Fine hands by second rows Gethyn Hockey and Lloyd Davies, saw Lewis receive the ball in the middle of the pitch and touch down under the posts.  Scott Barnes converted.

CRUMLIN 7 Brynithel 0

A great move by the backs saw Morgan Wilson into the line from full back and did superbly to score an absolutely cracking try, his first of the season.  Barnes converted.

CRUMLIN 14 Brynithel 0

Brynithel’s young outside half then put over an excellent penalty from wide out and at long range too.

CRUMLIN 14 Brynithel 3

Crumlin came straight back though and after great some good approach play Efan Passmore got the ball in the unusual position of inside centre but showed a good turn of speed and an outrageous dummy, for a prop, to get his first try of senior rugby.  The sun basking supporters enjoying that one for young Pasty.

CRUMLIN 21 Brynithel 3

Uncharacteristic handling errors crept in for the hosts which prevented further scores until Kiaran Lewis playing on the blindside got the ball in the 22 and he glided through majestically for the try bonus point score, which sealed the league title.  Barnes once again added the extras.

Halftime:

CRUMLIN 28 Brynithel 3

Credit to Brynithel they had 16 players available and with the heat and Crumlin able to make substitutions a lesser outfit may have folded completely.  Immediately after the break Brynithel spread the ball along their own backline and looked to be making good headway.  Unfortunately, the final ball went to ground.  As it was about to roll into touch captain Ethan Chess was on it and had the presence of mind to dribble the ball back in field.  Then Chess managed to dribble the ball from halfway passed a couple of defenders to score a sublime try fitting of his tenth score of the year to bring up 50 points.  Barnes converted

CRUMLIN 35 Brynithel 3

The bomb squad were on with Gavin Spencer and Dan Lewis taking over at prop.  The versatility of some players has allowed Crumlin to field at least 10 players in the front row this season and all have been outstanding.   Youth hooker Joshua Worsfold had a great first senior game this afternoon.  Any front rower will know though that without the power behind you from those 4 and 5 jerseys you will be on a hiding to nothing.  The second rowers this season have been the real strength of the team.  Today it was Davies, Hockey, Gavin Hipkiss and Rhys Hipkiss but throughout the season Jordan Hughes and Cerrig Wilson have also been absolutely rock solid and their experience and power have as the theory goes allowed the forwards to win matches and the backs to decide by how many.  The answer to that last bit is by 635 points and 104 tries more than the opposition.

The next try was scored by our second veteran back who was sporting a very fine new “go faster” hair do.  Corey Strickland raced away for his 14^th try of the season.

Barnes converted once more.

CRUMLIN 42 Brynithel 3

The kick-off wasn’t fielded and the bounce allowed Brynithel to kick on but before Crumlin’s defence could scramble the ball bounced sideways over the line and in the melee Brynithel got the ball down.

CRUMLIN 42 Brynithel 8

The backs reshuffled as centre Ryan Lewis, who is the only other player besides Gavin Spencer to have played in every game this season, was replaced by Dylan Foxwell.   Inevitably it was Foxwell now at fullback who was next on the scoresheet.  A kick and chase with Foxy’s blistering speed allowed the top try scorer to finish on 17 for the season.

Barnes added the extras.

CRUMLIN 49 Brynithel 8

Taylor Smith had already had an exceptional run from a kick off return but he was on the end of another flowing move to score.  Barnes converted.

CRUMLIN 56 Brynithel 8

Callum Cottle was having his first game of the season on the blind side and managed to be on the end of some excellent interpassing for his first try of the season.  As usual Barnes Converted.

CRUMLIN 63 Brynithel 8

AND FINALLY, this season’s top scorer Scott Barnes got a try over his own to make it a personal best for the season of 23 points (1 try and 9 Cons) in a game.  Barnes finished the season with 128 points from 9 tries 37 cons and 3 penalties.  The referee blew the final whistle and the WRU Division 5 East League Title was added to the Bryn Meredith Shield and the WRU Division 5 cup for an incredible treble.

CRUMLIN 68 Brynithel 8

With Crumlin’s clubhouse booked for an event the perfect sunshine was made good use of and there was a “Party on The Pitch” celebration with a BBQ after the match and some highly questionable but thoroughly entertaining fancy dress outfits.  When the trophy and medals arrived, they were presented to Ethan Chess and THE MIGHTY CRUM!

#UPPACRUM

SQUAD

1. Nathan Evans

2. Joshua Worsfold

3. Efan Passmore

4. Lloyd Davies

5. Gethyn Hockey

6. Kiaran Lewis

7. Connor Lloyd

8. Euan Lewis

9. Steele Jones

10. Ethan Chess (Captain)

11. Taylor Smith

12. Ryan Lewis

13. Scott Barnes

14. Corey Strickland

15. Morgan Wilson

16. Daniel Lewis

17. Gavin Spencer

18. Callum Cottle

19. Gavin Hipkiss

20. Dylan Foxwell

21. Rhys Hipkiss

22. Blake Smith