Fixture

The first game of the morning was against Ynysddu.  Half term and illness had struck and the Dale were down to 9 boys this morning.  We took to the field against Ynysddu both fielding 9 players with the visitors winning the toss.  The Dale defence were strong from the off, Thomas Gregory pounced on a loose ball and passed out to William Morgan, William ran the full length of the pitch but Ynysddu caught him before he reached the try line, he passed to Jordan Way to claim, the first try of the morning, 1-0.  More excellent defending with a great tackle from James Williams, saw another loose ball this time picked up by Jordan Way, he passed to Thomas Gregory who had a good run but found touch.  Ynysddu took the ball and we saw some great passing and persistence from Ynysddu resulting in them equalising, 1-1.  Dale restarted and a loose ball was picked up by Ynysddu, two boys went in for the tackle, on the shout of ‘one in a tackle’ from the referee both boys let go allowing Ynysddu to score, 1-2.Thomas Gregory used his signature side stepping run to equalise straight from the whistle, 2-2.  A knock on by Ynysddu gave a scrum to the Dale, William Morgan had another good run, passing to Jordan Way and onto Oliver Cooke, and he got tackled yards before the try line and on the half time whistle.

Half time Oakdale 2 – Ynysddu 2

Dale restarted and from the whistle Gabriel Jones took the ball and only had the try line in mind, 3-2.  William Morgan picked up a loose ball and ducked and dodged the defence to cross the whitewash, 4-2. Ynysddu came back with a quick try, 4-3.  Dale restarted with Oliver passing to William Davey he had a good run and passed to William Morgan in support to score, 5-3.  Ynysddu had a nippy player out on the wing passing the Dale defence to score, 5-4.  Thomas Gregory swerved through the defence for another quick try, 6-4.  A scrum to the Dale saw the ball come out to Thomas Gregory for his hat trick, 7-4.  Ynysddu show great determination and are held meters from the try line by a string dale defence, and eventually Thomas Gregory tackled them into touch.  Dale take the ball and advance up the field, Thomas came in a scrum half and with excellent vision passed to Max Rossiter out on the wing who sped to the try line and scored, 8-4. 

Great game of rugby against a much improved Ynysddu side, keeping the Dale on their toes today.

Full time Oakdale 8 – Ynysddu 4

The second game of the morning was against Dowlais.  They had loaned us a player to allow 10 players per team.  Dale started the game with a knock on giving Dowlais the scrum.   The visitors were unable to capitalise from the gained possession and soon found themselves in touch.  Thomas gained some ground before passing to William Davey and on to Jordan Way.  Jordan was held by a few boys at the try line, he passed to James Williams who had a good pass back to Jordan Way who eventually crossed the line, 1-0.  Dowlais restart but a knock on gave Dale the scrum, possession passed back and fore with the possession ending with Dale and James Williams making for the try line to score, 2-0.  The boy on loan from Dowlais left the field with an injury quickly followed by Oliver Cooke who took a knock to the hand.  Dale were down to 8 against 10 but were determined not to let this stop them.  Another knock on by Dowlais gave Dale the scrum the ball was fed to Thomas Gregory who used his pace to score, 3-0.

Half time Oakdale 3 – Dowlais 0.

Second half Oliver was back on the field but no player on loan so it was back to 9 against 10 and Dowlais take a quick try from the whistle, 3-1.  Dale restart and a loose ball is taken by Dowlais who use it to score, 3-2.  Dale restart and William Morgan makes a good push through the defence, the ball is thrown wide and an excellent catch by Thomas Gregory to score, 4-2.  Dowlais respond with a try, 4-3.  William Davey has a good run from the whistle and almost makes it to the white line, he passes to James Williams who sees a gap and runs straight through it to claim the try, 5-3.  Dowlais knock on give a scrum to Dale; Max Rossiter has an excellent run but a knock on gives a scrum to Dowlais.  Dowlais are forced into touch, William Morgan beats lots of the defence but a high tackle takes him down just before the full time whistle, 5-3.

Full time Oakdale 5 – Dowlais 3.

Man of the Match James Williams – great passing and tackling today James – Well done!

Coaches view – another good all round performance with great handling and tackling against Ynysddu.  An even better performance against Dowlais who wanted to win at all costs.  Sportsmanship is very important in all sports!