Fixture

 

It was an emotional occasion as Crumlin welcomed their friends from Newport Saracens to the Kayfield. This was the first time Sarries took the field after the devastating loss of their player Dale Tucker. Sarries looked stunning before and during the warm up with all players, coaches and team support in their black t-shirts with “Tucker” across their shoulders and Dale’s number 12 on their backs. It was a great tribute to their team mate and friend. Before kick off the squads lined up not facing each other but facing the Sarries side of the field and everyone at the Kay Field perfectly observed the minute of silent respect and reflection.

 

A quick mention of a lovely gesture that our players made on Friday night. Jonathan “Jiffy” Davies was at the club and before he started a brilliant talk of his rugby exploits, a game of Irish Bingo took place. This resulted in our players table winning £100 and set for a cheaper night on visits to the bar. Jiffy has raised £46 Million for Velindre over the last few years and obviously our boys being who they are, they donated the £100 to Jiffy for Velindre. No fuss or presentation just Kian Chess insisting the great man take the money.

 

There was some rugby to be played between two of the top 3 teams in the league table, with the Sarries undoubtedly being the best team in the league. This was going to be a tough one for the Mighty Crum what with just 16 players available, taking on the only team in the division with a 100% record and of course the sombreness of the occasion. Then during the warm up, Crumlins prop Joe Tigg was injured and as if not difficult enough Crumlin were going to have to play the whole game with 14 men! The home support hearts sank the expectation was now hopefully we could spring a bonus point for staying close or less likely getting 4 trys.

 

The opening encounters were dominated by Sarrries in Crumlins half. They played some great running rugby with their excellent props carrying extremely well. Sarries were enjoying themselves and rightly so. As usual though Crumlin defended like men possessed with the back row of Kian Chess, Euan Less and Kyle Walton putting in tackle after tackle which they would continue throughout the game. These three also each carried superbly when “The 14” had the ball and this proved to be decisive in the final stanza. Inevitably, the sustained pressure brought a finely worked score for Sarries and a well taken conversion.

CRUMLIN 0 Newport Saracens 7

 

The pattern of play then continued with Sarries not letting “The 14” have the ball and not letting them out of their own half. On the edge of the 22 Sarries deservedly gained a penalty and their excellent kicker converted.

CRUMLIN 0 Newport Saracens 10

 

There was then more relentless pressure in the Crumlin half. Crumlin’s renowned attacking backline showed their incredible defensive skills as well. Steele Jones was back at scrum half for this game, Captain Ethan Chess at 10 and the giant spirit of a man that is Cole Jones knocking down the continual charging Sarrie forwards with ferocious hits and then resetting for the next wave of juggernauts. This spirit held out once more for much longer than anyone believed it could. Inevitably though Sarries showed their class with another well worked try. The kicker slotted the conversion and with 30 minutes gone the scoreboard made for sorry reading for those associated with the Black and Ambers. It was also ominous for what was to come. No thoughts now of a bonus point. Bust a gut not to be nilled and look to save some face for “The 14” from the excellent Sarries attack that was no doubt going to be running in several more tries.

CRUMLIN 0 Newport Saracens 17

 

From the kick off something different as Crumlin managed to stay in the Sarries half. There was a lineout on the left and hooker Jacob “Frankie” Hill hit the bullseye in Euan Lewis who was lifted superbly. Euan’s deft hands went off the top, for a change, to Steele Jones. Steele’s passing was exemplary today and he launched another out to Ethan Chess

 

Chess looked to set a move going but the only thing that was actually going was Ethan himself. From fully 40 metres he went through and then miraculously danced passed the defenders, bumped off the tackles and dived in near the posts for a brilliant solo try. Centre Scott Barnes stepped up and added the extras. Crumlin were not going to be nilled! However, there was no denying the fact that the support viewed this as nothing more than a bit of respite from what was to come from this well organised Sarries outfit.

CRUMLIN 7 Newport Saracens 17

 

From the kick off Crumlin looked to play their usual brand of rugby and with the line kicking of full back Ryan Lewis and hooker Frankie they made their way down field. Crumlin had the ball again for more than a minute and not in their own half.

Jordan Hughes is in a rich vein of form in the second row, enjoying his rugby and carrying superbly, but given the circumstances it did come as a surprise when he scored his first try of the season. Ethan Chess continued to boss the Crumlin attack excellently, and great interplay brought Crumlin right up to the Sarries line. Veteran prop Gavin Spencer went close in the corner, but the ball was eventually worked back for Hughes to crash over from a powerful carry. Scott Barnes adding another conversion.

CRUMLIN 14 Newport Saracens 17

 

30 minutes of brutally having to defend and an exhausted 14 were actually in the game with just a three-point deficit at the break. Supporters talk was of trying somehow to stay close on the scoreboard to get a bonus point or was it possible that Crumlin could get 2 more trys and get the bonus point that way. At this point neither seemed very likely for “The 14”.

 

HALF TIME: CRUMLIN 14 NEWPORT SARACENS 17

 

Corey Strickland playing game 145 in Black and Amber was playing with an injury not that you would have known with his running to make some fantastic defensive tackles. However, he did not make it to half time and so Tom Foley came on in his place for his first outing in Black and Amber in a good number of years. Foley was elusive with ball in hand and showed great skill to superbly catch two penalty kicks before they could cross the touchline. He then returned both with interest. Both catches were late in the game and vital to deny Sarries lineouts in the Crumlin 22. With Strickland down and Foley on Crumlin were still at 14.

Cerrig Wilson was Hughes’ partner in the second row this week and as always from Cerrig there was a near faultless display of tackling, carrying and big hits. Cerrig soared in the lineouts as usual delivering real quality ball for Steele at 9. His fantastic physical efforts were matched by his nowse to discuss decisions and clarify what the referee wanted. Constant questions are not what anyone wants but Cerring’s respectful man management was a pleasure to watch and particularly at the end of the game to manage the time.

 

It was no surprise that from their rest and the restart Sarries were yet again on the attack and it did not take too long before they were in again. Home thoughts were fearful of the floodgates opening as “The 14” were exhausted and despite 2 fine trys, were still staring down the barrels of a 30 or 40 pointer.

CRUMLIN 14 Newport Saracens 24

 

With 15 to go Crumlin were in possession and nicely moving the play back and forth with Chess orchestrating proceedings brilliantly again. Eventually some space opened up on the blindside. Cole Jones span out a long miss pass that saw Euan Lewis get the ball on the Sarries 22 metre line. With fellow back rower Kyle Walton outside him, Lewis drew and gave leaving the defender no chance. Walton raced away and defenders that tried were no match for “The 14’s” Vice Captain. He thundered through the 22 to bring Crumlin within one score and a possible bonus point yet again.

CRUMLIN 19 Newport Saracens 24

 

Prop Gavin Spencer normally plays like an additional flanker as he proved in last week’s stand out performance and revels in this role. Free from the pressure of scrum time, he was around the field tackling and pressurising at every opportunity.

 

Crumlin were beginning to grow in confidence that they may be able to get something from the game. That was beginning to seem a bit less likely as the lineout twice malfunctioned and cost them possession in good attacking opportunities with only 10 minutes left on the clock. However, “The 14” continued to persevere and win possession back to create further chances. Once such chance involved Scott Barnes brilliantly chasing his own kick and stripping a defender of possession on the Sarries 22.

 

After some more great build up play, Steele Jones sent the ball out to big Jordan Hughes who showed great hand skills to catch and pass in one movement under close attention. The pass went straight to hooker Frankie on the wing and despite Frankie limping around for many minutes he showed a great turn of speed to dive in at the corner for his 4th try in 3 games. Unbeliveably, this brought the scores level with just minutes left on the clock, and a try bonus point now secured. The 14 were going to get points from a game they had no right to have ever been in against such quality opposition.

CRMULIN 24 Newport Saracens 24.

 

Obviously there was the small matter of the conversion almost on the touchline. Most were ecstatic with the possibility of the draw and points from the game. Up stepped centre Scott Barnes on the wrong side of the field for him too. Then, BOOM! Barnes huge kick went sailing over and Crumlin took the lead for the very first time in the game.

CRUMLIN 26 Newport Saracens 24

 

Full back Ryan Lewis had covered well all afternoon and pulled off 3 try saving tackles but as he cleared to touch deep his own 22 he went down and had to leave the field. Strickland with no hesitation came back on despite walking like he had a stone in his boot. Taylor Smith on the wing cleaned up so many kicks in his direction and ran them back with his usual speed and power it became a really positive source of Crumlin momentum. Taylor also put in his fair share of bruising hits in a very strong performance.

 

The next 6 or 7 minutes lasted an eternity as Sarries hammered the Crumlin try line and to a man the Black and Ambers put their bodies on the line at the end of an exhausting 80 minutes for them. Sarries attacked superbly but were not going to be allowed through “The 14’s” defence.

When they conceded a penalty on Crumlin’s line there were minutes remaining and the clearance kick gave possession to Crumlin. The ref called 2 minutes, then 90 seconds and Crumlin had a scrum. The ref called 30 seconds several times during the last plays before Ethan Chess put the ball in to the safe mitts of Cole Jones to take into contact and then Chess sent the ball to touch from the ruck for a truly legendary win in the history of Crumlin Rugby. “The 14” achieved something very special in this game that will long be remembered.

FINAL SCORE: CRUMLIN 26 Newport Saracens 24

 

It was noted that the gentlemen of our Compost Corner back the club were particularly pleased with the such a fine example of our great game and as they left for the evening, their congratulations and appreciation of the effort of “The 14” were gratefully received.

Tuesday training resumes this week, so take a well-earned bit of rest men because next Saturday we welcome to the Kayfield the only team to have beaten us in the league this season the excellent Bedwelty RFC. They pulled off a phenominal come back against us at their place a couple of months ago to win with pretty much the last kick of the game. Supporters if you couldn’t be there today you missed a truly special occasion. If you are only going to something like a wedding, special birthday or time with loved ones next Saturday afternoon, then reschedule and watch The Mighty Crum in what promises to be another big game down the Kayfield at 2:30. It will also be the occasion of Steele Jones 100th appearance for the Mighty Crum.

 

For Sarries we wish them a successful season, as they undoubtedly will have. The spectacle of such a fantastic rugby display from both teams and the way they aquitted themselves throughout was a fitting tribute. It was a pleasure to talk to the Sarries after the game and back at Crumlin RFC. A very humble and friendly club we can both look forward to a visit to their place at the end of the season in the return fixture. In the mean time, Sarries play Maesteg next week at home. It is the quarter final of the Welsh Cup. Crumlin RFC are behind you 100% and wish you the best to go all the way and lift the trophy. Good Luck gentlemen.

 

#DT12 & #UPPACRUM!

 

TEAM:

1. G.Spencer

2. J.Hill

3.

4. J.Hughes

5. C.Wilson

6. K.Chess

7. E.Lewis

8. K.Walton (Vice)

9. S.Jones

10. E.Chess (Capt)

11. C.Strickland

12. C.Jones

13. S.Barnes

14. T.Smith

15. R.Lewis

16. T.Foley

17. B.Smith