Sully Sports RFC victorious in hard-fought encounter (From Barry And District News)

Sully Sports RFC victorious in hard-fought encounter

7:40am Thursday 10th January 2013 in Sport

SULLY SPORTS RFC 10pts CAERPHILLY RFC 0

NEITHER Sully Sports' Firsts or Seconds had seen action for a month so, with the former without a competitive fixture for another week and Sea View calling off a league game on Friday, the rugby club were handed a pool game against a strong Caerphilly outfit.

Enabling the Sports to field a mixed team, and thus brush off any rustiness, it also gave players some game time in preparation for the resumption of league fixtures this week.

In perfect weather - chilly and windless - but with the ground a bit slippery, both teams quickly got over the Christmas/New Year break and threw everything into their efforts. The result was a very hard fought encounter, with no side managing to gain sustained dominance.

Both sides produced attacking rugby, with play going from end to end, and defences holding the upper hand. Even when one of the sides made a decisive break, the attack broke down from a great last-gasp tackle, a poor pass or a knock on.

The only downside for the Sports was that the visitors could not field a front row and, from the start, all scrums were passive, taking away one of the Sully side's strengths - the set scrum.

Captain Chris Cummings led his backs with his usual authority, organising and directing his inexperienced colleagues in defence, and skilfully creating attacking openings.

The first period yielded no points but both teams were disciplined in defence of their line and gave no kickable penalty opportunities.

The pattern of the second half was, for a while, similar, as play switched from end to end, but slowly the Sports gained some control as Caerphilly visibly tired.

Following sustained pressure in the visiting 22, the Sports took the lead 15 minutes into the half when lock Tom Sloman finished off a drive, and crashed over for a try near the posts. Cummings added the conversion.

For the next 15 minutes, Caerphilly tried to get back into the game, assisted by a series of disputable penalties, but they failed to break down the home defence, and it was the Sports that finished much the stronger as they dominated possession and territory in the final stages.

With 10 minutes left, a well struck penalty from 35 metres by Cummings stretched the lead to 10 points and this was easily defended.

CLUB NOTICES

* Fixtures for Saturday, January 12 (kick-off 2.30pm): 1st XV v Whiteheads at Sully; 2nd XV away against St Peters 3rds.

* Thanks to the club's main sponsor, Lift Services (South Wales), for a new kit for the 1st XV and all other sponsors for their support in 2012. The club wishes them all a great New Year.