Crickhowell RFC 87 Rhayader RFC 0

CRICKHOWELL RFC played host to Rhayader RFC on Saturday where a minutes silence was held prior to kick-off in memory of the victims of the Aberfan disaster.

What followed was a record-breaking result for Crickhowell as it saw them run rampant and score a total of 15 tries against a struggling Rhayader.

The writing was on the wall for the visitors when Lewis Logan scored the first try after just two minutes play. This was followed 10 minutes later by prop Ken Birch who scooped up the ball from 10 yards out and powered over the line.

A few minutes later, it was the turn of Kieron Llewelyn to use his skill and pace to add to Crickhowell’s tally. Daniel Davies was next on the scoresheet, his ever-consistent work-rate garnering its just reward. Harry Purvis scored the first of his total of four tries shortly afterwards, with Davies converting.

Davies crossed again minutes later and converted his own try.

Then it was the turn of hard-working Matt Botting to confound his opponents and touch down with Davies once again converting. Bleddyn Carrington scored just before half time with a well-worked try which Davies again converted.

There was to be no let-up for Rhayader in the second half with replacement scrum-half Lewis Cook crossing twice in quick succession early on with Davies converting the first.

Not to be outdone, Harry Purvis also secured a brace of tries shortly afterwards and Bleddyn Carrington got on the scoresheet again with his second try, which Davies again converted.

Matt Botting added to his tally with another fine try and the speedy Harry Purvis rounded off his performance, and the match, with the final try of the game, Davies converting.

Rhayader fought manfully and never let their heads drop despite being outplayed in all areas of the game. The work of the Crickhowell forwards in securing the ball at the scrums, line-outs, rucks and mauls, the skill of scrum-halves Richard Roberts and Lewis Cook in distributing the ball quickly and Tom Keane’s masterly performance in controlling the game at outside half and the support play of the whole team meant the home crowd had plenty to applaud.

This week sees the third round of the WRU Bowl competition when Crickhowell welcome Nantgaredig, from West Wales, to Parc Broyd in what is sure to be an exciting game. In the evening, the club is holding a Halloween party in the Britannia Inn.