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FORTHCOMING MATCHES
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Hafodyrynys |
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Hafodyrynys 2nds |
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Hafod Rams (Mini Rugby)
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New Tredegar
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TBA |
Garndifaith Under 7-8s
Talywain Under 11s
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Date: |
February 18th
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Type: |
Bowl
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Date: |
TBA |
Type: |
Friendly |
Date: |
February 19th |
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Friendly |
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Venue:
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Home
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KO: |
14:00 pm
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Venue: |
TBA |
KO: |
TBA |
Venue: |
Home
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KO: |
11:00am
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CUP NEWS... Hafodyrynys waits to see who they play in Round 5 of the Bowl... last 16.
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Hafodyrynys 32 Hollybush 15
SWELEC Bowl Competition
28th January 2012
Hafod progressed to the last 16 of the Swalec Bowl
Competition after this hard fought win over a fired up Hollybush side; who
played well above what their league position suggests. The first half the Hafod
played down the slope and completely dominated with the scrum giving their
opponents a torrid time, however the lineout didn't function as well as it has
in the last few games. The backs looked sharp in the opening exchanges and wing
Declan Johnson scored an early unconverted try in the corner. After this the home
side continued to press and scored further tries from ‘Man of the Match’ Chris
Wall and Rob Smith, with Owen Glastonbury adding a conversion. Then Hollybush
kicked a penalty just before half time to make it 17-3 at the break. In the
second half though it was the visitors who stated to attack and scored 2 tries
and a conversion to bring the score back to 17-15. But then the home side got
back on top and scored another two excellent tries from Rob Smith with Owen
Glastonbury adding a penalty and another conversion. In the end the Hafod were
pressing the line and could have scored a few more tries but for the bad bounce
of the ball on a number of occasions. Credit must go to both sides for playing
a good clean hard fought cup game in very heavy conditions. The Hafod look
forward to the draw for the next round and hope for a home game for a change.
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Hafodyrynys 26 Trinant 10
21st january 2012 Hafodyrynys came through this hard fought encounter with
a win and had a bonus point in the bargain at the very end. Hafod played with
the wind at their back in the first half and applied a lot of pressure on the
Trinant line but the visitors held out with some resolute defence. The home
side were trying too hard and made lots of mistakes and it was the ‘Trogs’ who
scored first with an excellent converted try which started back on their own 22
metre line and was finished off in the corner by the winger. The first half continued
with the Hafod attacking but they couldn't score until just before half time when
Gavin Davies scored a converted try under the posts to make it 7-7 at the break.
In the second half the Trinant took the lead once again with a penalty after
some pressure on the home side line. After that the Hafod forwards took control
and from a strong scrummage ‘Man of the Match’ Gavin Davies scored a push over
try which went unconverted. The home side were now in control and further tries
came from Chris Wall and a penalty try; Owen Glastonbury converted 3 of the
tries. The win was put down to a very strong scrum in which Chris “Salty”
Pearce had his best game in a Hafod shirt. The discipline of the team was
excellent throughout in the face of a very fired-up Trinant team.
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Hafodyrynys 33 Llanhilleth 3
14th january 2012
A large crowd turned out to see what everyone thought
would be a hard fought and close encounter, but it didn't turn out that way as
the home side dominated from start to finish. The platform was laid by the pack
who supplied the backs with a good supply of set piece ball and this was used
to good effect by the three-quarters who put together some excellent moves. The
centre pairing of Rhys Davies and Dane Williams have now struck up a good
understanding and were a constant threat in attack and were solid in defence.
The Hafod took the lead with an unconverted try from Man of the Match Gavin
Davies after relentless pressure on the opposition’s line and further tries
were scored before halftime by Dane Williams and Mark Williams both were
converted by Owen Glastonbury. The visitors were struggling to get into the
Hafod half of the field and the only time they did they kicked a penalty to
make it 19-3 at the break. The second half was a little more even with
Llanhilleth attacking a bit more but they never really looked like scoring a
try. Then back came the home side and after some slick passing they scored
further tries from Gavin Davies and Rob Smith both converted by Owen
Glastonbury.
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Hafodyrynys 20 Ynysddu 13
7th january 2012
This was a game played between two excellent sides lying
second and third in the league and it was the home side that came through after
a great battle. Both sides were totally committed and the game was played in a
good spirit with both sides playing open rugby in difficult conditions. A good
crowd turned out and it was the visitors who were first on the board with an
early penalty but then the Hafod forwards got into their stride and after a
period of pressure full back Rob Smith scored an excellent unconverted try wide
out. They continued to put pressure on the opposition with the scrum and
lineout in commanding form and from another strong scrum they were awarded a
penalty which was kicked by Owen Glastonbury for a lead of 8-3 at halftime. The
second half started with both sides going at it hammer and tongs and it was the
visitors who scored next with a penalty after a period of pressure they then scored
a converted try to lead 13-8. Back came the home side though and after a strong
scrum they were awarded a penalty try after the away side collapsed a scrum on
their line Owen Glastonbury converted to regain the lead. Ynysddu then came
back and had a period of intense pressure but the Hafod defence held firm,
their pack then got back on top and from some concerted drives to the line Rob
Smith clinched the game with another unconverted try to seal the win. There was
no man of the match for the Hafod but a special mention goes to the front
row of Richard Martin, Anthony Slocombe and Scott Gameson who
dominated from start to finish putting their opponents under great pressure.
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Hafodyrynys 31 Blackwood Stars 13
SWELEC Bowl Competition
21st December 2011
Hafod
won through to Round 4 of the Swalec Bowl Competition after this latest game
played under lights at Hafodyrynys. It was an entertaining match with both
sides prepared to take risks and run from anywhere. It was the Stars who exerted
the early pressure but after the referee reversed a penalty the Hafod backs ran
the ball from their own line and winger Morgan Wilson ran fully 70 yards before
passing inside to Rob Smith to score under the posts for one of the tries of
the season. With game going from end to end Hafod thought they had scored again
under the posts but the referee disallowed what seemed a perfectly good try.
However from the scrum the Stars were penalised after great pressure from the
Hafod front row and Owen Glastonbury kicked an easy penalty. Then the Hafod
scored another excellent try which was started back on their own 22 metre line
and went through half a dozen pairs of hands before wing Steven Davies finished
it off in the corner. The opposition then came back and kicked a penalty and
scored 2 unconverted tries to make it 17-13 at half time to the home side. The
second half followed a similar pattern and the Hafod scrum were well on top and
scored a penalty try after the opposition collapsed a scrum on their own line.
Both sides were now going at it hammer and tong but the Hafod pack were now
starting to get on and prop Richard Martin crashed over after a 2 metre sprint
for the line for another converted try; Owen Glastonbury converted all 4
tries.
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Newport Saracens 7 Hafodyrynys 15
17th December 2011
Hafod
travelled to Newport for their latest league encounter and surprise surprise
the home team decided to go passive scrums from the kick off which made a
mockery of the game. The Hafod players although deflated had to get on with it
and the first half was like a game of sevens rugby as the home side were able
to win their own ball and ran from everywhere. Hafod though played into the
Sarries hands by running from deep instead of kicking for position and using
their bigger forwards. It was the Hafod who drew first blood scoring an
unconverted try from Richard Phelps after a good break by hooker Anthony
Slocombe but the home team struck back and took the lead when their No. 8
intercepted a pass on his own 22 metre line and ran the length of the field to
score a converted try for a half time lead of 7-5. In the second half the Hafod
took the lead with an unconverted try by Scott Gameson and continued to press
the home teams line for about 20 minutes but the Sarries defence held firm;
Hafod extended the lead with a drop goal from Rob Smith which turned out to be
the last score of the game. Man of the match for the Hafod was Gavin Davies who
was at the heart of everything.
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Brynithel 8 Hafodyrynys 13
26th November 2011
Hafod won this hard fought
encounter in a game which was spoilt by a very strong wind which made playing
any running rugby practically impossible. The home side made the early running
with the wind at their backs and after concerted pressure they scored an
unconverted try out wide. Hafod then started to get into the game and almost
scored a couple of tries themselves but the last pass just let them down. They
did however kick a penalty by Owen Glastonbury to reduce the lead but Brynithel
also kicked a penalty just before half time for a deserved lead of 8-3. Hafod
then started to dominate the second half and man of the match Chris Wall almost
scored but just dropped the ball going over the line. Hafod were not to be
denied though and Toby Evans scored a try under the posts which was converted
by Owen Glastonbury to give the visitors the lead and he also later added
another penalty. The last quarter of the match was nip and tuck with the home
side trying desperately to get back into the match but the Hafod defence held
firm and in the end ran out winners.
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Bettws 14 Hafodyrynys 24
19th November 2011
Hafod came from behind to win
this hard fought encounter against a side that played way above what their
league position suggests. The game was moved at the last minute to Civil
Service ground which disrupted Hafods' preparation and it took a long time for
the team to come to grips with the opposition. The home side made the early
running but it was the Hafod who were first on the scoreboard with an excellent
try after a good break by Derry Gurmin which was carried on by Dai Tovey and
finished off by Daniel Rossiter; Adam Jones added the conversion. But the home
side came back and levelled the scores at half time with a converted try of
their own. With Hafod making lots of mistakes Bettws took the lead with another
converted try and a shock looked on the cards but the Hafod showed why they
are at the top of the league and came back to dominate the last quarter and
scored a penalty from Adam Jones to bring the scores back to 10-14. Hafod
were now well on top and took the lead with a try from Declan Johnson, converted
by Adam Jones, and then Dane Williams finished off a fine move, started by man of
the match Gavin Davies, and carried on by Rhys Davies who gave the final
pass; Adam Jones added the conversion. Hafod then tried their best to get
the fourth try for a bonus point but they failed to finish off two or three great
chances and had to settle for the win.
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Hafodyrynys 52 Crumlin 12
12th November 2011
Hafod
went back to the top of the league Division 5 East after easily overcoming
their local rivals. A huge crowd
turned out to see this local derby, which was the first time the clubs have played
one another for many seasons and it was the home side who completely dominated
the first half. The forwards were dominating possession and providing the backs
with some excellent ball which they used to great effect as they tore the
opposition apart with some slick passing movements. The interplay between
forwards and backs was a pleasure to watch as everyone tried to keep the ball
alive and as a contest the game was over by half time as the home side ran in
four excellent tries and added three conversions for a lead of 26-0. The second half was a
bit more even with the Crumlin side improving and attacking the home line for
about ten minutes but the Hafod defence held firm and didn't concede any
points. Hafod then got back into their stride and ran in a further four tries,
the pick of these under the posts by Declan Johnson after a planned move
straight off the training ground. However Crumlin although well beaten never
gave up and scored two late consolation tries to make the score a more
respectable.
Scorers for Hafod
were: Tries; Rob Smith (3) Dai Tovey (2) Declan Johson (2) and Scott Gameson (1),
Cons; Adam Jones (6).
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Hafodyrynys 51 Blaina 6
SWELEC Bowl Competition 5th November 2011
Hafod
progressed into the next round of the Swalec Bowl competition after this
comfortable win over their Division 4 rivals. Who would have thought about ten
years ago that they would be playing and beating the likes of Blaina. The home
side made eight changes from the previous week’s league game but they still
proved too strong for the opposition who never gave up and competed right to
the end. The Hafod forwards were providing a string of good ball but it was the
backs who ran the show and it was wide out where they were at the most
dangerous with wings Steven Davies and Declan Johnson having a field day each
running in two tries. In the pack back row forwards Gavin Davies and Richard
Phelps both scored tries. But it was the three quarters who had the final say
with Dane Williams and Wayne Saunders adding a try apiece. Owen Glastonbury
added 4 conversions and a penalty to round off the score.
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Hafodyrynys 12 RTB 0
29th October 2011
Hafod got back to winning ways on Saturday after a hard earned win over their dogged opponents, who never gave up although they were outplayed for most of the match. The game was played in very heavy rain which made trying to play open rugby very difficult and it turned into a forward slog. The Hafod pack was in good form with man of the match Scott Gameson in the thick of things and Gavin Hipkiss and Gethin Hockey dominated the line outs. Behind the pack scrum half Josh Morgan had a fine game in his first start of the season and kept the pack going forward whilst centres Rhys Davies and Dane Williams were working hard to break the defence of the opposition. The only score of the first half came via an excellent move in the backs which was finished off under the posts by Dane Williams converted by Owen Glastonbury. The Hafod then playing down the slope kept the pressing the line for about 20 minutes until eventually the pressure told and wing Declan Johnson ran in for an excellent unconverted try to seal the win, and keep the team at the top of the league.
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Hafodyrynys II's 28 Nelson II's 5
26th October 2011
On Wednesday last week Hafod 2nds played their first game under light
against Nelson 2nds and a large crowd turned out to see them run out winners in
a very entertaining game.
Hafod 2nds are looking
for mid-week games home or away
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Monmouth 26 Hafodyrynys 21
22nd October 2011
Hafod
lost their unbeaten record in a game which was spoilt by the strong wind which
made it a game of two halves. The Hafod playing with the wind dominated the
first half and scored an early unconverted try from Anthony Slocome, this was
followed by a penalty from Owen Glastonbury. The home team then scored a try
against the run of play after a contentious line out given after the Hafod had
cleared their lines; the referee giving a line out when clearly the ball didn't
go out of play. Kristian Rickard then scored a fine try which was converted by
Owen Glastonbury for a lead of 15-5 at halftime. In the second though the
home team dominated things and clawed their way back into the match helped by
the Hafod making basic mistakes which were punished by the outside half who
kicked everything. They scored two penalties before Owen Glasonbury kicked one
for the Hafod to make it 18-11. But the home side then scored another penalty
and two tries, one of which was converted for a lead of 26-18 Hafod kept going
until the end and Owen Glastonbury kicked a last minute penalty for a losing
bonus point. This was a hard fought game between two good teams and was a good
advert for the league.
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Hafodyrynys 40 Blackwood Stars 0
15th October 2011
Hafod made it six wins out
of six after easily beating their old rivals in the first league meeting with
them for about five years. The platform was laid by the front row who
completely dominated the scrums taking numerous strikes against the head until
the opposition went passive scrums in the latter stages of the game. Gethin
Hockey had a fine game in the line out and captain Dai Tovey led by example at
No.8. Outside half Owen Glastonbury playing his first game controlled things and
was rewarded with a try and five conversions; whilst the centre pairing of Dane
Williams and Rhys Davies gave the Stars defence plenty to think about. Hafod
scored an early unconverted try by Anthony Slocombe after a well-controlled
drive from a lineout; with the rest of the half was even with the Stars having
a good spell just before half time but the home side’s defence held firm. Then
just before the half time whistle full back Rob Smith scored an excellent try
after a well worked three-quarter move following a good clean lineout take
which was converted for a lead of 12-0. The second half though was one way with
the Hafod cutting loose and running from all parts of the pitch which resulted
in some excellent tries and but for a bit of over-elaboration could have scored
a few more tries. The last fifteen minutes was a bit of a damp squid as the
game ended in passive scrums which took a way the home sides dominance. The
second half tries were scored by Rob Smith, Kristian Rickard, Dane Williams and
Owen Glastonbury. The coaches will be very pleased and look forward to next week’s
game away to Monmouth.
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Pontllanfraith 8 Hafodyrynys 14
1st October 2011
Hafod made
it 5 wins out of 5 but only just; after struggling to overcome a much improved
Pontllanfraith side that have picked up losing bonus points in their games so
far. Hafod never looked like losing this game but struggled to press home
their second half superiority. A much changed Hafod team took the pitch in
front of a large crowd of travelling supporters and for once this season the
pack struggled to get on top of the much bigger home pack and this allowed the
opposition to stay in the game using their lineout to good effect. Pont were
first on the board with a smart drop goal by the outside half who then
proceeded to kick every time he got the ball and it was from a loose kicks that
Hafod scored two tries. The first was a great team effort started by Kristian
Rickard on his own ten metre line and finished off in style under the posts by
Toby Evans. The second was a fine individual one from full back Rob Smith which
was started from under his own posts after a chip and chase to score again
under the posts, both tries were converted by Ryan Davies. The home side then
got into the match and scored a try themselves and dominated the last twenty
minutes of the first half. The Hafod regrouped in the second period and
dominated the rest of the match but could not put any more points on the board
due to some good home defence and a bit of delaying tactics as the Pont side
tired in the sun and went down like nine pins. The last twenty minutes was a
total stalemate as the home side had to go to passive scrums which allowed them
to secure easy ball to clear their lines. Although this
was a very scrappy game the coaches will be pleased to still be top of the
league and can look to improve in training as there is no league game this
Saturday.
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24th September 2011
A large crowd turned out to see the first home game of the season and
they were treated to an emphatic display from forwards and backs as they ran in
a total of eight tries. Despite having to make five changes in the pack it did
not make a lot of difference as they dominated from start to finish with Matthew
Williams (Man of the Match), Gavin Hipkiss and veteran Chris Wall in fine form.
This allowed the home backs, well organised by half backs Mark Hodges and Derry
Gurmin, to run from all parts of the field; with full back Rob Smith scoring an
incredible six tries, many of them from long distance. The match was over as
a contest by half time as the Hafod built up a score of 28-0 through tries by
Matthew Williams, Richard Phelps and Rob Smith (2) with Adam Jones adding 2
penalties and a conversion; this could have been more but for a few errors with
the try line begging. In the second half it was much the same with the Hafod
attacking from everywhere, although the Usk defence improved and they managed
to score a try of their own from a quick tap penalty. But the home side came
back with a further four tries all from Rob Smith with Adam Jones adding three
conversions. The coaches can be
very pleased with the start of the season with four wins out of four to head
the table
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Trinant 13 v Hafodyrynys 25
17th September 2011
Hafod went top of Division 5
East after making it 3 away wins out of 3 in this latest game at their local
rivals, winning quite comfortably in the end. The foundations were laid by yet
another strong display from the forwards with man of the match Gavin Hipkiss at
the heart of everything. The front row was strong with Chris Pearce playing his
first game of the season having a fine game and hooker Anthony Slocombe was
also to the fore. Hafod dominated the first half and after continuous pressure
scored an excellent try by Derry Gurmin which was converted by Adam Jones.
Hafod then continued to pressure but could not break the Trinant defence until
Kristian Rickard picked up a dropped pass by the home side and raced 60 yards
for a try which was converted by Adam Jones. Trinant then scored a converted
try under the posts from their first real attack after a good run from the full
back which gave them a lift just before half time. In the second half the home
team came back with a couple of penalties; before the Hafod took control once
again and Adam Jones kicked 2 penalties for a lead of 20-13 and after another
period of pressure a try from prop replacement Richard Martin sealed the win.
The only down side was an early injury to captain Dai Tovey and we all hope he
recovers quickly. |
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Llanhilleth 10 Hafodyrynys 22
10th September 2011
Hafod made it
two wins out of two after this hard earned win over their neighbours. Although
the score doesn’t really reflect how much Hafod dominated the game. The home
side kicked a penalty in the first minute of the match but after that they were
made to defend for long periods as the Hafod pack, with man of the match Toby
Evans showing the way, battered the home sided line. Time and again they were
either just held up by the home defence or the final pass went to ground which
began to frustrate the Hafod. Eventually they were rewarded for their pressure
with a try in the corner by Declan Johnson converted by Kristian Rickard and at
half time it was 7-3 to the Hafod. The second was much the same and the
heavens opened up to stop the Hafod playing their normal passing game but they
did score another try by Declan Johnson which went unconverted for a lead of 12-3. Llanhilleth did score next with their only venture into the Hafod half when from
a lineout the ball went loose and the home teams number eight pounced to score
a converted try. After that though the
Hafod got back on top and Adam Jones kicked a penalty and then after more
pressure prop forward Richard Martin scored a try playing against his old team
which was converted by Adam Jones to make the score reflect the game.
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Ynysddu 3 Hafodyrynys 8 3rd September 201
Hafod started life in Division 5 East with a hard fought win away to one of the favourites for promotion
this season.
A large crowd travelled and the
supporters really got into the spirit which gave the players a lift particularly
in the last ten minutes when the Hafod were under pressure. The first half was dominated by
the Hafod and it was only some great defence by the home team that kept the
score down. The forwards well led by captain Dai Tovey and prop Scott Gameson were
in excellent form and played their usual off loading game which took the home
side by surprise and they didn’t know what hit them early on. Kristian Rickard
kicked an early penalty and then Declan Johnson scored an unconverted try in
the corner; and only a foot in touch stopped Dai Tovey scoring another try in
the corner. Whenever the opposition got the ball they were met by some solid
defence well marshalled by outside half Derry Gurmin and ended up running out
of ideas. In the second half Hafod again started
well and almost scored a couple more tries. The home side came into the game
in the last half hour and the Hafod had to defend for their lives but held out
to fully deserve the win which puts them in good stead for the rest of the
season.
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