Sports in a benevolent mood (From Barry And District News)

Sports in a benevolent mood

Sully Sports RFC 12, LLANRUMNEY 19

PLAYING most of the rugby, and enjoying the majority of possession, Sully Sports failed to take their chances, and were taught a hard lesson in finishing by the eager, quick Llanrumney outfit.

Christmas came early for the visitors as all their three tries were gifts from Sully Sports who, possibly in an attempt to shine in front of a visiting WRU Assessor, forced the game to the point that passes were made where caution was more appropriate.

Not having had too much of the game, Llanrumney took the lead after 10 minutes as Sully counter attacked on their own 22m line, and a stray pass was intercepted and run in unopposed.

The Sports, undaunted by this setback, played with their usual flair and immediately piled pressure on the visitors line, only to fall foul of another misdirected "scoring" pass which was intercepted, fumbled but recovered, and ran back 95m for a try.

Even this did not deter the Sports' willingness to keep the ball live and they hit back, just a few minutes later, from a move in which the ball must have been handled by the whole team and centre Matt Phillips picked a great running angle to cut through from 25m out to score at the posts - fly-half Mike Mees added the conversion.

Disaster struck for a third time right on half time, when a long pass, in midfield, went behind the centres and it was gathered and run in from 50m by a surprised but happy Llanrumney back.

After the break, the Sports tightened up their passing, denied the visitors possession and very few incursions into home territory, without sacrificing their own flamboyant style of play. The visitors, to their credit played with a fierce, well organised defence, that was only breached once in the period and gave them a hard fought, somewhat fortunate, victory.

The Sports made substitutions midway through the half which resulted in an even higher pace and workrate, with replacements - winger Doug Powell making several bulldozing runs and lock Ritchie Davies finishing off one of many Sports attacks with a try from a run which took him through almost half of the Llanrumney side.