Saturday 17th October 2009
Newtown 3-34 COBRA
COBRA secured a bonus point win with a strong all round performance in a fiercely contested local derby.
Newtown held the upper hand for the first quarter of the game dominating possession and territory but were not able to break down the strong COBRA defence. A break from their own 22 by COBRA No.8 Alun Jones relieved the pressure and forced Newtown to concede a Penalty. Centre Tom Ryder stepped up and slotted the kick to give COBRA a 0-3 lead. Newtown quickly levelled the scores with a Penalty from Outside Half Rowan Meek after the COBRA defensive line were caught offside.
COBRA took control of the game and scored the games first try after another break upfield by Jones allowed time and space for flanker Aled Davies to score unopposed in the corner. Ryder converted neatly to give COBRA a 3-10 lead. A further Ryder Penalty soon after stretched the lead to 10 points. COBRA were by now well in the ascendency and scored a second try on the stroke of half time. COBRA were awarded a penalty in front of the Newtown posts and whilst most players were expecting the kick for goal, scrum half Iwan Vaughan took a quick tap and forced his way over the line. Ryder added the conversion to give COBRA a 3-20 halftime lead.
The early period of the second half was scrappy with both sides having players yellow carded. With 20 minutes remaining COBRA scored their 3rd try from a unstoppable forward drive from a 5metre lineout, with No.8 Alun Jones the recipient of the score. Ryder continued his excellent day with the boot to converted from wide out. COBRA squandered several chances in pursuit of the fourth try, and were guilty of trying to force offloads from impossible situations. With the chances of a bonus point seemingly gone, man of the match Aled Davies sold a dummy to split the Newtown defence, he raced through the gap to score in the final minute of the game. Ryder converted to finish the game and cap an excellent team performance.
COBRA Team
1 A Roberts 2 O Morris 3 A Evans 4 G R Evans 5 R Vaughan 6 A Davies 7 G Evans 8 A Jones
9 I Vaughan 10 G Smith 11 I Evans 12 A Pryce 13 T Ryder 14 W Astley 15 S W Williams
16 C Davies 17 B Edwards 18 B Jones 19 F Roberts
