Fixture

Crumlin moved back to the top of league with games in hand on their rivals today.  They also went through 550 points for the 12 games this season and scored more than 50 points in a game for the 6^th time. 

Huge credit to Beaufort for their efforts in pulling a squad together for this 12 noon ko on the last weekend of the 6 nations.   This was hugely appreciated by everyone at Crumlin and in particular the large crowd that enjoyed the game.

The game started well for Crumlin as the front row of Gavin Spencer, Spanky Morgan-Hill and Dan Lewis took control to set up the solid scrum platform that was then maintained throughout the game.  This allowed scrum half Cole Jones to provide a continual supply of quality, quick ball to Ethan Chess to dictate every aspect of the game.  Chess ran the show, setting his back line away at every opportunity.  In a huge display, the Captain exited pressure situations coolly making quality yardage and even more impressively smashed backwards a number of big forward charges that came his way.

First to cross the whitewash as a result of Chess’ orchestration was Taylor Smith as he finished a sweeping move.  Apologies to Taylor for being missed from the Forge Side match report after his second half appearance from the bench.  Ryan Lewis converted.   7-0

Next was quite an extraordinary period of 15 minutes play which saw the wing Dylan Foxwell leave the defence in his wake to score.  This didn’t happen once or twice but 3 times to make it a Fantastic Foxwell first half hattrick.  With Ryan Lewis converting each of Foxy’s hat-trick Crumlin moved into a commanding 28-0 lead in 20 minutes.   

Morgan Smith, Ryan Lewis and Joel Witcombe were mesmerising with movement off the ball and slight of hand.  Lewis carried well when required and was next to cross the line due to another Chess inspired bit of backline deception.   Lewis converted for 35-0 Crumlin. 

Next was the mercurial Witcombe whose ability to ride a tackle begs belief at times.  More often, than not this season Witcombe has supplied the finishing pass to his back 3 colleagues but this one was all his.  Lewis converted.  42-0 Crumlin at half time. 

At this point many teams would have folded completely but Beaufort instead chose to come roaring back and as they did indiscipline crept into the Crumlin defence.  Crumlin made an unusual change to the openside flank that many may not have even noticed apart from a jersey number change.  In his first game of senior rugby Aaron Lloyd replaced his identical twin brother Connor Lloyd who had made his own senior debut in the first half.  Just as seamlessly Nathan Evans replaced Spanky after his cheeky little display in the first half and Cameron Powell took on propping duties.

The forwards work became more demanding due to Beaufort’s resilience and defence became the name of the game with Kyle Walton and Pumpy Madden-Smith halting many a carry. Beaufort held on to the ball and just kept coming to eventually score a try of their own.  42-5 Crumlin. 

There then followed a period of play essentially in the middle of the field with neither team making great in roads until Chess worked his magic again and just like Moses parted the Red Sea for the Israelites Chess opened Beaufort wide apart to send Smith down the middle and under the posts.  This ended the period of no scoring.  Ryan Lewis converted 49-5 Crumlin.

Steele Jones was on for Cole Jones at 9 now and took the opportunity at a ruck on the opposition 10 metre line to sneak at breakneck speed down the, 5 metre wide, blind side for a cracking opportunistic effort.  Ryan Lewis converted 56-5.

Down in the row Kiaran Lewis and Jordan Hughes continued to supply the power to send the scrums forward throughout the game.  The final debutant of the day was Dafydd “Pitbull” Clissett who entered the fray in place of Taylor Smith.   Despite a few seasons away from the game Clissett looked assured under kicks and gave a solid display both in attack and defence. 

As if a first hat-trick was not fantastic enough, Foxy beat his opposite number one on one by fielding Chess’ inch perfect cross-field kick.  Foxy beat the man as he caught the ball and then hit the after burners to leave him for dead.  Still better was the cool, calm, relaxed sidestep that left the full back wondering what had happened.  Foxy had made it a fourth touchdown before the full back knew it.  Ryan Lewis converted 63-5 Crumlin. 

AND finally…… quite unbelievably Lewis delivered to Witcombe a scoring pass which Witcombe decided to unselfishly give to Foxwell for his fantastic fifth and final try.  Left footed Lewis came close from the left-hand touchline but didn’t hit the perfect 10.  He did pick up the Man of the Match award though as it finished:

CRUMLIN 68 Beaufort 5

Next Saturday 25th March sees the boys travel to Llantrisant rugby club for an extremely tough semi-final repeat of last year against Pontardawe.  They would love your support.  #uppacrum