Cwmcarn United 0 New Panteg 37

New Panteg visited basement club Cwmcarn United and came away with a comfortable six try victory against their lacklustre opponents. This was a must win match if New Panteg are going to fulfil their aspirations of a top three finish and they did not disappoint. The match started badly when centre Mark Leighton was helped from the field within the first minute with a leg injury but even in his absence the backline were making line breaks at will. It was however, the forwards who manufactured the opening try, when they powered over for a pushover try for captain and man of the match, Iain Bevan to score. Half backs Brunsdon and Lloyd were enjoying plentiful possession from their rampant pack with front three of Evans, Warren and Weaver dominating their opposite numbers from the first whistle. Possession was soon converted into points when debutant winger Kieran Mogford’s fine supporting run from the opposite wing saw him scamper over for a second try. Full back Chris Baker scored a third after a slick handling movement, and he also added a conversion and a penalty for a half time score of 20 – 0.

A huge score seemed inevitable as the home side were visibly wilting under the constant pressure. However New Panteg became frustrated with the constant whistling of the referee from West Wales and the game lacked any continuity. Scrum half Brunsdon scored the bonus point try, capitalising on a loose pass and Baker added the extras. Craig Buffin scored the games best try as he finished off a flowing backline move to score wide out. Bosanko and Whatley entered the fray in the front row but the results were the same. New Panteg finished the game as they started by pushing the home scrum over their own line for Bevan to flop over for his second try. With the home scrummage demoralised and a Cwmcarn player lying injured the referee ended the game early with the score at 37 – 0.

Head coach Nigel Barry said he was reasonably satisfied with the team’s performance and highlighted the line out and scrummage as areas of excellence. He was also pleased with the defensive efforts and discipline, which denied Cwmcarn of any points all afternoon.

Wednesday 03rd February

Cwmbran Athletic 5 New Panteg 5

Saturday 30th January

New Panteg 32 Whiteheads 10

This was a must win match for New Panteg if their aspirations of finishing in the top three positions was to be realised. This seemed to be a formality when full back Craig Buffin scored a try under the posts from a clever kick and chase after only two minutes. Alex Maddocks taking over the kicking duties due to injuries to Chris baker and Dan Lloyd easily added the extras. Any thoughts of a landslide were soon dispelled as Whiteheads played to their strengths using their heavy pack to keep possesion for long periods. This was rewarded when the visitors scrum half spotted a gap from a maul and scampered 30 metres for an excellent individual score. The fullback converted and also added a penalty to take a half time lead of 7- 10.

The coaches demanded that there must be a more expansive approach to the second half in order to move the heavier visiting forwards around the park. Within minutes this change of tactic proved fruitful when after a flowing backline movement winger Anthony Baker crossed unchallenged wide out to regain the lead. With Whiteheads now visably wilting it was only a matter of time before the lead was increased, and lock Deri Bevan duly obliged crashing over from a driving maul. Alex Maddocks struck a well timed penalty and New Panteg went on the hunt for a bonus point.

With only 5 minutes remaining the home side were attacking relentlessly and to their credit Whiteheads were refusing to give in. However the inevitable happened when the impressive backs conjured up a second try for Craig Buffin. This was soon followed by a brilliant individual effort from centre Mark Leighton converted by evergreen replacement David Imms.

The bonus point victory puts New Panteg back on track after the disappointment of losing to strugglers Crickhowell last week, and the coaches were pleased with the industrious performances of flankers Rhys Jones and Alan Taylor and from powerhouse prop Steve Bosanko.

Saturday 23rd January

Crickhowell 22 New Panteg 10.

After a period of inactivity both sides were pleased to be back playing again, but it was the home side who took the spoils. It looked initially that there would be a repeat of the corresponding fixture in September when New Panteg gained an emphatic bonus point victory. The visitors were soon ahead when centre Mark Leighton eluded four tacklers to score near the posts for Dan Lloyd to easily convert. More pressure from a dominant scrummage gave them a penalty beneath the uprights for what looked like a simple three points. However the penalty was quickly taken and the resulting ruck developed into a full scale punch up which saw prop David Evans yellow carded for inappropriate footwear.

Down to fourteen men New Panteg were forced onto the back foot and Crickhowell scored the first of their tries wide out after a period of sustained pressure. With a half time score of 5 - 7 New Panteg were confident of claiming the win, but a serious head injury to outside half Dan Lloyd disrupted the visitors. Firstly a charged down kick and then a dropped pass resulted in two converted scores for Crickhowell and both sides swapped a penalty each.

Crickhowell proved to be a more resiliant and abrasive outfit than when the two sides met earlier in the year and were deserving of their win. However New Panteg may have been guilty of complacency going into the game, something they must be wary of for the forthcoming fixtures.

Saturday 19th December

St Josephs 3 New Panteg 5

With the match being played on a surface akin to an ice rink, this was never going to be a high scoring encounter. Kick off was delayed for 20 minutes while the coaches discussed the merits of playing or not. Finally the green light was given to start the game in ever deceasing temperatures. The omens were bad for New Panteg when top try scorer Alex Maddocks was forced off in the opening minutes with a recurrence of a hamstring injury and winger Gareth Silk suffered a heavy blow from a high tackle. St Joseph’s opened the scoring with a well struck penalty after an indiscretion at a ruck and they continued to enjoy most of the possession in a scrappy first half. The visitors scrummage was again in destructive mood as they shunted their opponents back at every opportunity. Scrum half Andrew Bates was a constant threat with his sniping runs and slick distribution which kept St Josephs back row honest on their defensive line.

Harsh words from the coaches at half time resulted in a more urgent display in the second half. Possession was more abundant, and outside half Dan Lloyd was able to kick New Panteg into more dangerous areas of the field. Despite constant pressure in the final 20 minutes, New Panteg were finding any sort of score elusive. With two minutes left on the clock a powerful driving maul resulted in quick ball for the half backs. St Josephs were stretched in defence and when the ball was swiftly passed wide, fullback Craig Buffin strolled over wide out. The conversion was missed and there was still time for the home kicker to have a speculative drop at goal to sneak the points. Fortunately for New Panteg the kick hardly got off the ground, giving them the points and reversing the loss of the first game of the season. The win elevates New Panteg to third place in the league which is a realistic end of season finish given the dominance of the two higher placed teams.

Saturday 05th December

New Panteg 7 Rogerstone 8

New Panteg lost by a single point in this closely contested tussle of teams in third and fourth place respectively. Missing almost a full team through injury and unavailability the home sides squad was stretched to the limit. The atrocious weather conditions restricted both sides from playing any expansive rugby but it was Rogerstone who played the elements the better. The visitors much heavier pack played a controlled tight game and their halfbacks kicked for territory with great accuracy. It was a poor defensive kick from New Panteg that yielded the opening score. When touch was missed deep in the New Panteg 22, Rogerstone ran the ball back to score an unconverted try wide out.

Scrum half Rhys Gunter’s constant probing runs were New Panteg’s most potent weapon, and midway through the first half his half break resulted in putting Rogerstone on the back foot. The ball was swiftly recycled and passed quickly to center Mark Leighton who beat two tacklers to score near to the posts. Chris Baker made sure with the extra points to give New Panteg the lead.

Rogerstone had numerous penalty opportunities to regain the lead but treacherous ground conditions made kicking extremely difficult. Eventually the pressure told on the hosts who gave away a penalty in front of the posts and relinquished the lead. Rogerstone held onto this advantage comfortably for a deserved win and take the spoils, leaving New Panteg having to be satisfied with a losing bonus point.

Thursday 19th November 2009

Chepstow 24 New Panteg 12

With no weekend league fixtures due to the Autumn International Series, New Panteg took up the challenge of Division 4 Chepstow, in a mid-week friendly. Despite a two-league tier difference New Panteg competed admirably in what was a close fought contest. From the outset the visitor’s front row of Evans, Warren and Evans completely dominated their opposite numbers, shunting them back at every opportunity. However Chepstow showed how adept they are at playing on the back foot when they scored wide out after a slick passing movement from their pacy back line. Driven on by superlative skipper Iain Bevan, New Panteg were soon on level terms. Pressure on a home lineout resulted in a charge down score for flanker Rob Davies. With time running out in the first half Chepstow stole the lead with an unconverted try wide out after an impressive forward drive.

Trailing by only five points and with a strong wind at their backs New Panteg were confident of a major upset. Unfortunately for them Chepstow’s knowledge of the home conditions were to be their undoing. The home side changed tactics completely, keeping the ball in hand and setting up numerous phases of play. Forced into making an avalanche of tackles it was only a matter of time before the defences were breached. Two converted tries extended Chepstow’s lead, and more seemed inevitable. Yet it seems that New Panteg are made of sterner stuff this season and despite making a total of nine changes, they finished the stronger team. A powerful 30 meter driving maul from New Panteg resulted in a penalty in the opposition’s 22. This was taken quickly and passed to winger Mark Leighton who broke numerous tackles on his way to the try line. He unselfishly off loaded to supporting lock Adam Stone to touch down for the final score of a pulsating match, which Alex Maddocks converted.

Saturday 14th November 2009

Caerleon 20 New Panteg 9

New Panteg travelled to table toppers Caerleon hoping to extend their five match winning streak in the league but were out done by a strong, well drilled home side. Despite the terrible weather conditions both sides tried to play attractive rugby and Caerleon were soon on the score sheet with an early try. A defensive lapse at a ruck allowed a pick and drive score, which went unconverted. This was followed soon after by an almost identical score, which would have frustrated the New Panteg coaches. New Panteg tightened up their defence and gained some good possession. This was rewarded with three penalties, which gave a halftime score of 10 – 9.

The second period was always going to be difficult for New Panteg as they contended with a driving wind in their faces. Caerleon used the elements to their advantage scoring a further try after a period of sustained pressure. Trailing by six points New Panteg tried manfully for a winning score but were undone by a final Caerleon try in the dying minutes which denied them even a losing bonus point.

To finish on a positive note, it was great to see the return of three quarter Mark Leighton after a lengthy injury absence. Mark played the last 10 minutes on the wing and will surely add to the strength in depth in the backline.

Saturday October 24th

New Panteg 60 St. Julians 3

Number eight Rob Davies was in irrepressible form as he powered over for five tries in New Panteg’s 60 points to 3 romp over St Julians. New Panteg were dominant in all areas of play from the first whistle and were on the score sheet with the first of Davies tries within five minutes. St Julians replied with a penalty for an offside offence but that would be the last time they troubled the scorers.
With the home forwards becoming unmanageable for the visitors, possession was plentiful and being used intelligently by the young half backs of Price-Wood and Lloyd. The halftime score line read 20 points to 3 due to two Davies tries and one for pacy wing Buffin but it was during the second period that the floodgates would well and truly open.

Six more tries were scored in the second half through three more for Davies and one each for Atkinson, Price-Wood and Baker. The latter also contributing with six conversions and a penalty. This is the fifth consecutive league win for New Panteg which elevates them to third place in the league which is in stark contrast to the dark times of previous seasons.

Head coach Nigel Barry was extremely pleased with his players but still lambasted them for some selfish play, which if eradicated would have seen an even higher winning margin. Next week there is a break from the rigours of league rugby as New Panteg travel to Whiteheads for a Swalec Bowl clash.

Saturday 17th October 2009.

Hollybush 15 New Panteg 37

New Panteg continued their rise up the league table as they recorded an emphatic bonus point victory over Hollybush.
The team is now playing with a greater belief and tenacity than in the early season and this was testament as they notched up their fourth victory in a row. The forwards were ferocious from the start with Mike Williams and Adam Stone to the fore and stand in captain Deri Bevan leading by example. Their high tempo game soon yielded a trio of penalties, all superbly goaled by Chris Baker. The backline were proving to be a handful for the hosts and a quick handling movement saw Alex Maddocks cross for the first try of the afternoon. Baker continued with his immaculate kicking display, stroking the conversion over from the touchline. Hollybush reduced the deficit with a penalty and were pressing the Panteg line for a try of their own. However a loose pass was seized on by wing Tim Atkinson who kicked and gathered the ball for a length of the field score and a halftime lead of 23 – 3.

Outside half Dan Lloyd was replaced after suffering the after effects of a serious bout of flu and this seemed to upset New Panteg’s momentum. This allowed Hollybush far more possession which they converted into a try from a fine rolling maul. When Panteg finally secured some quality ball it was swiftly passed through the impressive midfield partnership of Bowles and Jones who found Maddocks in acres of space. He then rounded the fullback with imperious ease to score under the posts. To their credit Hollybush refused to give in and were rewarded with a converted try after a period of sustained pressure. With time running out man of the match Chris Baker took the ball at pace before chipping over the oncoming defence. He gathered his own kick brilliantly and gave a scoring pass to Maddocks to complete his hatrick and gain the important bonus point try and a sublime touchline conversion completed a 17 point personal haul.

There is now a great competition within the large squad for starting places and the players realise that they must impress the coaches in training and on match day to maintain their places in the squad.

Next Saturday New Panteg play hosts to St Julians in a league fixture.

October 10th 2009

Whiteheads 16 New Panteg 17.

New Panteg travelled to Whiteheads with a side much disrupted by injury and unavailability but still recorded their third league win on the trot.

Whiteheads opened the try scoring from a quick tap penalty when New Panteg’s defence switched off presuming there was to be a kick at goal. The conversion was missed but they were soon further in front from a penalty. The visitors reduced the deficit with a penalty of their own, only to fall further behind from a well worked try. Whiteheads secured good lineout ball and the scrum half’s deft overhead kick was gathered brilliantly in the in goal area for a 13 – 3 lead. It was beginning to look like a long hard afternoon for New Panteg but on the stroke of half time number 8 Rob Davies was on hand to support a fine move to crash over beneath the posts and Alex Maddocks added the extras.

Possession was much more abundant for New Panteg in the second half but Whiteheads opened a six point lead with a well struck drop goal. With the boiler house Bevan brother’s dominant in the loose good field position was plentiful. This soon paid dividends when Chris Brunsden forced his way over in the corner for an excellent score. Alex Maddocks was nerveless as he landed the conversion to put New Panteg 17 -16 in front. In the dying seconds Whiteheads were awarded a penalty when the visitor’s backs drifted offside but the kicker was off target with his attempt which would have snatched the points. The win lifts New Panteg into the top half of the table and confidence will be high for next weeks visit to Hollybush.

October 03rd 2009.
New Panteg 38 Cwmcarn United 20

For the second game in succession New Panteg dominated the opposition and came away with a bonus point victory. With the pack in particularly aggressive form, possession was in plentiful supply and it wasn’t long before the home sides right winger Gareth Silk crossed under the posts for the opening score. Dan Lloyd added the extras. Cwmcarn reduced the deficit with a penalty, before an injury to flanker Rhys Jones resulted in an early intervention of Gavin Evens from the bench. He wasted no time in catching the coach’s eye when he chased a loose ball from the Cwmcarn’s fly half’s mistake to touch down in the corner. With half time fast approaching there was just enough time for a trademark Craig Buffin score. The wing man raced fully 60 metres leaving defenders flailing in his wake for a superb seven pointer.

Trailing 19 – 3 at the break the visitors started the second half with increased vigour and scored wide out with an excellent backline move. This was brilliantly converted to inspire Cwmcarn to believe they could get themselves back into the contest. However New Panteg soon regained their composure and had a try bonus point in the bank when lock Deri Bevan crashed over after a strong forward drive. Alex Maddocks broke through his opposite centres for a fifth, before Matthew Kaye completed the home sides scoring in the corner after fine interplay with his fellow backs.

With the last play of the game Cwmcarn gave the score line some respectability with the games final try which was again well converted. New Panteg will be well pleased with the continual improvements that they are showing but will be disappointed that the score line was not even greater as many scoring opportunities were wasted.

Saturday 19th September 2009.
New Panteg 33 Crickhowell 17.