TONGWYNLAIS RFC 17 SEA VIEW (BARRY) RFC 22

THE VIEW travelled for a bottom-of-the-table clash with friends Tongwynlais last Saturday.

With both sides having a difficult season in the Premier Division after the success of last year, winning this match would ensure the visitors not finishing in bottom place.

With such a lot riding on the outcome you would have expected a tactical percentage game, but in fact both sets of supporters were treated to a thrilling game of running rugby.

The View kicked off attacking the motorway end, the return from injury of View Internationals, forwards Matthew Azzopardi and Leon Ford giving the ever improving View pack the added edge.

Superb jumping from Azzopardi and Jon Blake, provided scrum half Tom Cotter with a steady supply of ball.

Early pressure from the View soon told, a Tongwynlais infringement giving Damion Huggins a chance for early points. A superb kick was judged wide by one judge and over by the other, in fairness the small posts making a clear decision difficult.

It wasn’t long before the View opened the scoring when a lineout in the Tongwynlais 22 was won and fly half Glynn Smith burst through desperate Tong tackles to score close to the post. Huggins left the touch judges in no doubt with another cracking conversion.

Sea View continued applying the pressure, Leon Ford going close, but Tongwynlais defended well, their fullback clearing his lines time and again only to see the wingers Ben Cotter and Sea View’s own Jonah Lomu, Aaron Bond run the ball straight back at him.

A lineout deep in Tongwynlais territory led to a stunning try from flanker Chris Hann collecting his own throw from Azzopardi, and The View pack drove over the line for Hann to score. The posts again beat Huggins but the View were in a commanding 12-0 lead.

The pack was dominant in the set piece and the loose, the engine room of Leon Ford and Gareth Lowes providing a solid platform for the front row of Burston, Veness and Huelin.

Wayne Burston had a fine game in the loose carrying the ball well and deftly passing out of contact.

With half time looming a moment of indiscipline saw Tom Cotter receive a yellow card; this unsettled the View and allowed Tongwynlais back into the game.

They scored a well worked try then the View gifted them a simple try, as Tong's winger raced on to a missed penalty kick and grounded the ball.

Half time score 12-12 The second half began with the 14 man View under pressure from an invigorated Tongwynlais. The never-say-die character of the View however shone through, forwards and backs working well together.

Glynn Smith had a superb game, whether taking the ball upfield himself or releasing his devastating centres Huggins and Glennie. With Cotter back on the field, it was Smith who settled the View nerves scoring two more tries to restore the lead 12-22.

The View used their reserves, Antony Williams coming on for Gareth Lowes, and Ross Adams for Ben Cotter. Mike Burnett made an impressive debut for the View replacing Leon Ford.

Tongwynlais came back to score a try to close the gap to 17-22, and the final 5 minutes saw the View defend comfortably to earn themselves a well deserved victory.

Our thanks as always to our travelling supporters, to Tongwynlais for their sportsmanship and hospitality and the referee for allowing both sides to play such attractive rugby.

The View’s final league game of the season is a home fixture on April 10 against Sully Sports. Come on down! C’mon the View!