TWO WEST CENTRAL

Resolven 15 Builth Wells 14

Builth RFC travelled to Resolven RFC on Saturday in a confident mood having enjoyed two hard-fought victories in previous weeks. Resolven were also undefeated in the league, so the scene was set in the Neath Valley for a very intriguing game, and the both sides did not disappoint.

Right from the start of the game, Resolven launched an all-out attack on the Bulls with a very impressive offloading game. The Bulls defence that had worked well in previous games let their guard slip giving the home side many line breaks. But for some late cover defence from the Bulls back row of Ash Mills, Lewis Bowen, Alex Brown, the home side would have scored.

The Bulls began to settle half way through the first half, and started to find their game plan, and through some great link work between backs and forwards the Bulls were soon camped on the Resolven line. It was from a Bulls mistake that the first score of the match occurred. The Bulls knocked on just short of the Resolven line, and from a defensive scrum the Bulls pack put in a massive drive. Under the pressure, the home side started to retreat, which put pressure on the Resolven no.9. He gave a high ball which landed short of his 10, and the ever-present Bulls no.8 Alex Brown pounced to score in the corner. The try was converted by Bulls no.10 Davies

From the restart the Bulls were able to launch another attack benefiting from the creative play of Bulls no.15 Harry Jenkinson and from one of Harry’s trademark attacking kicks, the home side were held up 15 metres from the home side’s try line. The Bulls were awarded a great attacking opportunity from a scrum, and once again the scrum did not disappoint. It drove hard and accurately towards the home side’s try line, resulting in Bulls captain Rhys Davies scoring, which again Davies converted.

At 14-0 the Bulls should have kept this advantage until the break but they chose to launch an unwise attack from deep in their half, which resulted in an attacking line out to the home side from turn over ball. The home side did not disappoint from the line out. A clever dummy move from setpiece resulted in Resolven scoring in corner. The conversion was successful, making the half-time score 14-7 to Bulls.

The home side started the second half full of enthusiasm running the ball at every opportunity. Their offloading game had returned and this positive passage of play was always going to get its rewards, resulting in the Resolven wing scoring in the corner. They failed to kick the conversion.

With the score finely balanced at 14-12 to the Bulls, the home side threw everything at Builth and again the Bulls defence stood tall with centres Tom Sam and Gav Jones pulling off some great defensive hits. But at some point it had to happen and the home side successfully converted a penalty awarded for offside to go in front for the first time in the match.

From the restart and with five minutes to go the Bulls dug deep and were attacking well inside the Resolven half. With one minute to go the Bulls were awarded a penalty. The home crowd fell silent but the Bulls no.10’s effort drifted slightly to the right of the post. Resolven successfully cleared their lines, and moments later the referee blew for full time.

The Bulls must now dust themselves down and get ready for the visit of top of the table high-flyers Birchgrove RFC on Saturday.