Fixture

After an encouraging opening league victory the first home game of the season saw New Panteg take on an established St Julian’s side. The opening exchanges were dominated by the visitors as they pressurised the home scrummage and played ‘up the jumper’ rugby. For the initial ten minutes the team from Newport looked odds on to score as they were held numerous times short of the whitewash thwarted only by heroic defence. Visibly frustrated they changed tactics and attempted to play the ball wide, only for the rush defence of Panteg to force an error. The loose ball was gratefully gathered by returning centre Lloyd Jackson who showed he has lost none of his pace in racing in from 70 metres. Pivot Lewis Bury added the extra two points for what was an unlikely lead at that stage of proceedings and soon added a further penalty to add to the visitors woes. A steady fall of rain and ample injury stoppages contributed to a disjointed first period which finished with New Panteg gaining a 10 point advantage.

Panteg’s set piece improved considerably during the course of the game and this allowed a steady supply of possession for the ever dangerous three quarters. The backline looked dangerous at every opportunity and the second score came from a flowing move across to wing Lewis Silver and a sublime chip from him was gratefully gathered by Jackson at full tilt for a superbly executed score. Again Bury goaled the conversion and Panteg were now gaining the ascendency against tiring opposition, who up to this point would have felt aggrieved to be behind on the scoreboard. With the game entering the final 10 minutes Panteg’s energy levels were proving a real problem for St Julians and another magnificent backs move saw Bury finishing off under the posts for a score which took the game away from any possible comeback. With their tails up New Panteg pressed for a bonus point score which was provided by Bury as he ghosted past many potential tacklers to score his second and Panteg’s fourth, he easily added the extras. To add further misery to the visitors, wingman Lloyd Reader burst through an exhausted defence to score at the death, Bury again converted for a personal tally of 23 points.

The coaches are delighted with two victories on the bounce but even more pleased that the team have yet to concede a point, which is testament to the hard work put in on the training paddock. For a second week running Liam Bailey put in an incredible shift but the Man of Steel was awarded to Lewis Silver who is making the wing position his own despite great competition in that area. This week it should have been  a case of déjà vu when we again entertained St Julian’s, this time in the first round of the Swalec Bowl, but unfortunately they were unable to raise a team due to illness.