News

With the rain relentlessly hitting the Crynant field throughout the last few days, groundsman Jack Hawkes prepared the pitch magnificently for Saturday’s SWALEC League 3 West Central game between Crynant and Cwmtwrch.

Cwmtwrch travelled down with only 13 men, forcing Crynant to lend the visitors two players to make up the numbers. Then with both sides fielded, it didn’t take long for Crynant to make their mark.

Flanker Carwyn Phillips broke the opposing line, drew in the stranded full-back and delivered a killer pass to number 8 Shaun Hopkins, who ran the ball home after just two minutes on the clock. Dyfan Harris then converted to add the extra two points.

With Crynant dominant in possession, Cwmtwrch were desperate to stop the hosts from adding to their lead. However, after the away side’s second-row gave away a rash penalty, Sam Kedward leathered the ball well into Cwmtwrch’s own 22. Subsequently, after some impressive work by the forwards, Crynant retrieved the ball and it then found its way to Shaun Hopkins who bombed past the opponents’ backline to score his second of the day. Dyfan Harris converted again to make it 14-0 after 22 minutes.

In the 35^th minute, Cwmtwrch came knocking on the door with a series of phases earning them a golden chance when their scrum-half found a gap, but unfortunately for the visitors, he slipped before the line, with the Crynant defence there quickly to recover the ball.

Crynant went in at half-time the happier side, with a 14-0 score-line in their favour.

To add to Cwmtwrch’s misery, their prop was forced off the field shortly after the second-half resumed – leaving them with 14 men with no substitutes present.

In the 55^th minute, Crynant made the numerical advantage count following a successful line-out in the away side’s own 22. The whole pack - in a maul - pushed themselves from the 22-metre line to the try-line with substitute Ewan Hopkins touching-down to score the third try just minutes after coming on. Dyfan Harris yet again converted to make it 21-0.

It clearly wasn’t proving to be Cwmtwrch’s day when minutes after Crynant’s third try, they were reduced to 13 men with another unfortunate injury.

From then on in, Crynant were in a pretty comfortable state, and with scarce numbers for the opposing team, the backs found themselves in a three-on-two situation and with some great hands, full-back Thomas Hopkins was sent clear and there was no catching the speedster who ran the ball uner the post, to the thanking of kicker Dyfan Harris.

With a prosperous score-line in Crynant’s favour, they only went and added to it on the 74^th minute mark. A sublime dink separated Cwmtwrch’s defence, and Thomas Hopkins was first to collect the ball and he eventually finished well to make it 33-0. Dyfan Harris then added the two points to secure his 100% conversion rate.

Crynant’s 35-0 win over eighth placed Cwmtwrch lifts them to third in the table; just four points behind joint-leaders, Baglan and Cefn Cribbr. Crynant face a tough trip to Tonna next Saturday as they look to continue their very pleasing form.

A big well done to the boys!