Fixture

Unfortunately Billy Whiittts, and his son HENRY and the boys from Old Bristolain 3rds didn't’ manage to make it up to Forgeside this weekend, you could say someone had put a spanner into the works.

Thankfully Nolan and the men from Tredegar agreed to make the trip at short notice despite having only 14 players available and several first-choice players missing. As a friendly fixture both sides agreed to make use of the WRU’s “Game On” initiative and start the game 14 a side and with passive scrums.

 
Tredegar started well attacking for a sustained period deep inside the Forgeside 22, a resilient Forge defence lead by Bradley Jenkins and debutant Ben Penry held the visitors out until full back Liam Swinn forced a turnover at a ruck to win a penalty and relive pressure. Bradley Jenkins continued his good work in the lineout winning his own and much of the opposition ball. In possession Forge carried well through centres Simon Davies and Matt Meredith who beat multiple defenders on his first carry into the opposition half. The game was evenly contested for the next 20 minutes with both sides battling for territory and possession. The first score of the game came on the half hour mark when Grant Evan’s counter attacked off a Tredegar clearance kick running the ball wide before neatly offloading to prop Owain Tucker who carried strongly into the Tredegar 22. Forge worked closer to the line through several phases before scrum half Rob Livings found a gap to score near the posts, the try was converted by wing Gareth Baxter. Forge cleared their lines from the restart and began to build pressure again through their forwards with strong carries from Connor Griffiths, David Wagg and Owain Tucker who had his finest game to date in a Forge jersey. Forge were rewarded for their efforts when Number 8 Connor Griffiths broke through the line, and charged 20 meters into the Tredegar 22, from this position Forge were awarded a penalty which was converted by wing Gareth Baxter to make the scores 10-0 to Forge.

 
The second half started well for Forge as skipper and outside half Dan Fieldhouse made good use of the wind and kicked accurately to control territory. Around 15 minutes into the half Forge found themselves with an attacking scrum inside the opposition 22, Centre Simon Davies carried the ball hard on an arcing run to get outside his opposite number before releasing outside Centre Matt Meredith with a superb offload, Meredith drew the final defender allowing debutant Grant Evans to score unopposed in the corner. The next 10 minutes turned into a sloppy arm wrestle as both sides made errors and the penalty count increased with Forgeside stalwart Mucky being sent to the bin for thinking it was still the 80’s. Tredegar Centre and familiar face Ashley Leek was forced to leave the field after a knock to the head left him looking like he was smuggling a golf ball in his eyelid, shortly after wing Gareth Baxter left the field for concussion (get well soon boys). For the final 15 minutes Tredegar refused to the kick the ball and ran from all areas of the pitch with their full back causing Forge problems. Tredegar dominated territory and possession with their half backs dictating play and controlling their forwards who carried hard into the Forge defence. The attack was led by Tredegar’s Honda powered number 8 and second row Lee Newman who made more carries than the 1950-60’s movie franchise. Forge defended bravely and as a collective for this period which was reassuring to see and characteristic of the performance. During the final play of the game Tredegar scored a deserved and well worked try in the corner. From an attacking scrum on the Forgeside 22 the ball was spread wide and an accurate pass allowed the winger (I think) to score in the corner, the try went unconverted and the final whistle followed. Forgeside thank Tredegar for traveling over for the fixture and wish them well for the rest of the season.

Man of the match was shared between the industrious Bradley Jenkins (again) and debutant Ben “many tackles” Penry.
 

This weekend’s result is a massive step in the right direction for the club with both players and supporters enjoying the encounter. Hopefully the club will continue to recover and build from the performances of the past 2 weeks and it is was nice to see so many players turn out for the club. The amount of support shown by past players, local clubs and individuals during a difficult time for the club has been fantastic and is greatly appreciated. Finally, the club would like to say a special thank you to Grant “Ozzy” Evans. During a season where many players have left the struggling club, Grant, despite having not played rugby for 15 years and coming from a predominantly football background, has come forward and lined up to play simply because he knows the club has been struggling.
Next week Forgeside host New Panteg with an early pm kick off.

 

Training this week will be held in blaenavon sports hall on Monday between pm until pm and back on the field on Wednesday night at 6:45