Fixture

The Phoenix is definitely on the rise again as New Panteg continue their excellent progress after a torrid season last year. Already this season New Panteg have gained twice as many points as they achieved in the entire campaign last year and sit impressively in second place in the league table. Forgeside were the latest to succumb to the ever improving young side as they went down to a 55 – 5 defeat, conceding 8 tries in the process.

After torrential rain all morning the sun came out right on cue at kick off and New Panteg tore into their opponents from the start.  Connor Imms at scrum half was dictating play excellently behind his forward pack and slipped easily down a blindside gap for a score in the opening minutes. Captain Dai Trigger Smith was rewarded for his industrious display as he galloped over unopposed from 30 metres for the second score. Lightening quick wingman Tai Natthaphong gathered a loose ball on halfway and sprinted over for a third, before point’s machine Alex Gwatkin scored the fourth try of the game after a scintillating backs move to secure a bonus point before the break. The visitors gave themselves a glimmer of hope as their scrum half broke from a scrum to score a good individual try but that would be the last time they troubled the scoreboard.

The second period saw no let up for Forgeside who were struggling to contain the pace of new Panteg’s three-quarters and tries soon came from winger Sam Seabourne and fullback Johnny Munro. Centres Lloyd Jackson and Darryl Carter were putting the wide players into space with fabulous regularity despite the wet conditions and only resolute defence from a plucky Forgeside outfit prevented a landslide scoreline.

Boilerhouse pairing of Jordan-Richardson and Tudball were ensuring there was a steady supply of good lineout ball with the latter also contributing with numerous bullocking runs. Front rowers Reynolds, Warren and Walker were steadfast as ever but it was the performance of the back row that really caught the eye. Joel Hamer’s turnover rate was hugely impressive and the tackle count of Joe Young making his first start was incredible.  However the work rate of captain Trigger singled him out as the coaches’ forwards man of the match.

Two more tries were scored by replacement Peard and a second for Gwatkin to add to his six conversions and a penalty for a personal haul of 25 points and another man of the match award

The only negative of the afternoon was conceding 19 penalties and with sterner tests coming shortly this needs to be eradicated quickly, something that the coaching staff will be working on in training this week.