SSE Swalec Championship

Llanharan 0 Bargoed 74 HT 0-31`

Llanharan’s tale of woe continued against reigning champions Bargoed at the Dairyfield.

Various circumstances had necessitated several pre kick off changes while match time injuries added to the headaches,

The young and inexperienced home side was competitive for the first and fourth quarters, yet could not threaten a score. In total contrast, Bargoed, with a side full of capable and well-practised men, exploited the other sessions to run in no fewer than eleven tries.

There has never been a lack of spirit in this Dairymen’s outfit, hastily strung together after a whole raft of outward movement in the summer, some of it on the very eve of the season.

Indeed, without unavailable skipper Scott Malone they gave a good account of themselves in the early stages, moving the ball left and right in sequential phases, Tom Williams and Craig Burton prominent contributors.

However, a failed penalty to touch brought Matt Hurley to the tee to collect the first of his nineteen points tally, then accomplished centre Darren Humphries broke Llanharan control with a long range effort, second row Martin Morgan finalised lineout pressure and, despite one good tackle by Ben Burgess on prop Kieron Brown, another kick that failed to clear the touchline saw Dwayne Dyer cross.

The Dairymen were still lively and Williams led a counter supported by Tom Evans and Owain Howe, only for Nicky Coughlin’s converted try to give the away team a 31-0 half time lead.

The champions showed their pedigree with five quick tries after the turn around, Hutchion, Grant Rogers, Coughlin and Ross Coombes touching down in quick succession along with the all-telling penalty try to end the contest at 60-0.

Nevertheless, it signalled Llanharan’s clear resolve to stop further scores.

Outside half Scott Jones and Howe were at the heart of most efforts.

Praise too for James Holmes, working valiantly in an unaccustomed second row role and Gavin Parsons, admirably doing bench duty despite a nasty virus, but not letting the side down when he made an early entry from the bench after Lee Edgecombe’s injury.

However, Bargoed put the finishing touches, prop Kieron Brown and speedy full back Lee Pearson adding two more tries to the total.

With an away trip to Merthyr next on the list it doesn’t get any easier for the basement team.

15 BEN BURGESS,

14 MORGAN WILLIAMS,

13 LEE EDGECOMBE (GAVIN PARSONS 25),

12 SAM EDWARDS,

11 HARRY GRIFFITHS,

10 SCOTT JONES,

9 CRAIG BURTON,

1 RHYS TAYLOR (SAM PICK 60), 

2 SAM LLEWELLYN

3 TOM EVANS (PAUL WINTER 62),

4 TOM WILLIAMS,

5 JAMES HOLMES,

6 OWAIN HOWE,

7 CARL LEATHER,

8. TOM WILSON (C).

Bargoed tries - Lee Pearson, Kieron Brown, Matt Hutchion, Grant Rogers, Nicky Coughlin 2, Ross Coombes, Dwayne Dyer, Darren Humphries,Martin Morgan. Cons 8 and pen – Matt Hurley.