Machen 2nd XV 19

Treharris Phoenix 36

TREHARRIS put in a six-try display to see off the challenge of their hosts last weekend.

The visitors were the stronger side from the kick-off and they got the game’s first try within five minutes of the first whistle.

Centre Daniel Cloak sliced through the Machen backs, leaving them in disarray to touch down, although the conversion was missed.

The second try was not long in coming. Flanker Dean Morris picked up the ball, scythed his way through and went 30 metres before being tackled.

Then, having won the resultant scrum on the Machen five-metre line, the visiting pack easily powered over, with Dean Bridges claiming the score. The conversion was missed again.

Machen’s reply was a cracking try by their right-winger, who took advantage of a dropped pass and was too fast for the Treharris backs.

Another first-half try from Treharris followed. Scrum-half Richard Ingram received the ball and with a great run down the left wing went over unopposed under the posts for his sixth try of the season which went unconverted.

Veteran flanker Morris was rewarded for his efforts just before half-time with a superb pick-up to burst through and cross.

Gareth Ingram converted to make it 24-5 at half-time.

For the whole of the first half the Treharris pack dominated in all aspects of the game, especially the scrum. However, this was all due to change at the beginning of the second half, when the referee ordered passive scrums due to an injured Machen prop.

This worked for the hosts as they scored a try within a minute of the restart.

There were further tries, firstly by second row Jamie Munkley with help from an initial line-out win and carry by flanker Mark Preece. Gareth Ingram converted again. Then winger Christopher Veale got on the end of a jinking Gareth Ingram run.

Machen replied with a consolation try at the end, but it was too little too late.

Source: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sports/grassroots/merthyr-sport/2009/11/05/rugby-treharris-phoenix-beat-machen-2nd-xv-91466-25090779/