Fixture

In perfect conditions this was turned out to be the best game of the season so far, and the Vardre side the best that the Sports has played against without a doubt. Both sides were committed to playing open rugby and either side could have won the match and there would have been no quibble from the loser....whoever.
The Sports started with great confidence and had the majority of the early possession putting this newly promoted side under immense pressure. This resulted in a penalty against the hosts which was duly dispatched by Scott Callicott taking the Sports to an early 0-3 lead. Soon after, from the restart, with a good half break by Callum Griffiths, the ball was fed to right winger Lee Roderick who made 30 meters before seeing the support from left wing Chris Walker. A long lobbed pass from Roderick put Walker away to score half way out. Callicott added the points to make an early lead of 0-10 to the visitors. The rest of the half was even, as Vardre regained composure after this early onslaught from the Sports, and as the half ended the home side scored a very well worked try when they switched an attack down the left wing to the right and Richard Brunton made the overlap from full back. Shane Davies added the extra and the half ended 7-10 with both sides attacking whenever possible and having to defend in turn.

A yellow card to the Sports just on half time gave the impetus to Vardre as the second half got underway. The pressure was on the Sports as Vardre took early control and good running once more by vice captain Shane Davis allowed this centre to slip through the fragile Sports defence, which for the first time looked vulnerable. He could not add the conversion and the visitors now led 12-10. When yellow-carded Lloyd Wilson returned to the game the Sports began to regain their shape as Wilson was once more a bain to the Vardre team as he continued to force them into penalties. One of which was easily taken be Callicott as the Sports regained the lead 12-13.
There then followed a bizarre moment as another penalty attempt by Callicott struck the upright and bounced back into play, the Sports frowards were quick to react and a combination of Darren Lewis and Lloyd Wilson presented the ball to Scott Callicott who looked to be easily shut down by the Vardre defence but he was not. He squeezed through to touch down to everyones surprise. He was unable to add the extra and the Sports now led 12-18 with 15 minutes remaining.

This spurred the home side into a frenzy of attack after attack and it took some resolute defence by the Sports to keep them out. Good use of the Sports bench saw fresh legs come on and bolster this defence with Connor Brown and Alun Evans doing well. Dewi Rees was winning good fast ball from the line outs and James Donovan always eager to get the back line into action. But it was Vardre who next broke the Sports line with strong running from winger Callum Roche as he broke a poor attempt at tackling him and rounded the defence to make an easy kick for Shane Davies to regain the lead for Vardre at 19-18 with barely five minutes remaining.

This was the time the Sports showed some real character and resolve and a credit to their total performance on the day as they refused to ‘Say Die’ and just ran... one forward after another into a strong Vardre pack. But as so often can happen, when trying this hard the home side conceded a penalty on the stroke of full time. The penalty was not an easy one but Callicott showed super coolness to win the game with the final kick.
This was a great performance by both sides and credit must be given to the whole Sports squad for the win, and to a great attitude preparation given to the Sports by their coaches. There is no game next Saturday because of the Wales International but a game on Thursday evening at Heol-yr Cyw KO 7.15pm