12.09.09 Rhyl and District 1st XV 76 (43) vs Rhosllanerchrugog 1st XV 0
Rhyl and District 1st XV 76 (43) vs Rhosllanerchrugog 1st XV 0 Rhyl opened their home account in the league this year in impressive style and provided the perfect response to the disappointment of last weeks defeat as hosts to Rhos.
Rhyl started the game with a real sense of purpose and, within 5 minutes, notched the first score as a break from hooker, Mike hall, was well supported by Ynyr Edwards for the No.7 to cross for a try beneath the posts which Adam Kirby promptly converted for a 7 point lead. Within minutes the score board was active again as a Rhyl Line out was spun wide and Mike Hall, this time in support, crossed in the corner, 12 – 0. A fantastic back move off scrum possession saw centre, Robbie Tilley, take a superb angle to cross for yet another try beneath the posts. Kirby again slotted the kick.19 – 0. Tilley added to his tally on 20 minutes as he finished off yet more Rhyl possession in the corner. 24 – 0. The Rhyl pack were dominant in ever aspect of the play, and the back row of Simon Davies, Ynyr Edwards and Barry Picton were everywhere and responsible for winning turnover ball at regular intervals. Off one such ball, Picton burst clear, drew the covering defence and with a magical slight of hand flipped the ball out of the back of his hand to the supporting
run of winger Stuart Felcrook to allow the speedster to scorch over in the corner. 29 – 0. Unfortunately Picton picked up an injury in getting the pass away and was replaced by Lee Craig who seamlessly carried on the good work. Turnover possession was again the source of ball as Ynyr Edwards again supported a midfield break to take an inside ball and cross for his second try of the match. Kirby added the conversion to make it 36 – 0. It was fitting the club captain, Gareth van Heerden sealed a dominant first half performance to cross for another try on the stroke of half time and Kirby again added the extras for a half time score of 43 – 0.
The second half began in equally dramatic and impressive style as second row, Dave Argles took the ball from the kick off and broke through to race almost all the way to the line before being tackled. However, he was able to get a pass away and Stuart Felcrook was again on hand to race over. Winger, Nick ‘Fritz’ Wolstenholme stepped up to superbly convert from the touchline and bring up the half century score for Rhyl. 50 – 0. Comfortable in the game, coach Christian Badham made some astute changes of personnel to introduce Kieron Jones, Callum Jones and Paul Lock for their senior league debuts.
The Rhyl scrum continued to dominate and from this solid base Rhyl launched another backs move which allowed centre Robbie Tilley to take a midfield switch and race over beneath the posts for his hat trick try. The conversion was added by Kirby. 57 – 0. A superb lineout take by Dave Argles was controlled and mauled in impressive fashion by the Rhyl forwards who marched their opponents back 10 metres and allowed Mike Hall to dive over for another try, the 10th of the game and his 2nd. Kirby again converted. 64 – 0. A great break in open play from tight head prop, Geraint Higginson was again superbly supported by Ynyr Edwards who barged his was through would be tacklers to cross for his own hat trick. 69 – 0. A final try was scored to end the game as scrum half John Badham, having a fine individual performance, scampered from the base of the scrum and flipped a clever ball out of the tackle to the supporting run of fly half Shaks Ngwenya, who crossed for his sides’ 12th try. Kirby again added the conversion for a personal tally of 14 points and a final score of 76 – 0.
Coach Christian Badham was pleased with the overall team performance but felt that particular praise should go to the back row who were at their constructive and destructive best and allowed the rest of the team to play the flowing expansive rugby which the welcome and sizeable Waen crown enjoyed. Ever the perfectionist, he reflected upon moments where a lack of accuracy had resulted in further try scoring chances being wasted. He called on his charges to take this performance on to next weeks’ game.
