It hasn’t been quite the start to the new season Crickhowell had anticipated, writes Mal Powell.

A pre-season friendly in late July saw them come second in a closely-fought game against Gwernyfed 2nds, where despite a brace of tries from Harry Summers, the result was Crickhowell 14 Gwernyfed 17.

They fell short, too, in a second friendly when they travelled to Abercynon, who gained a commanding lead but tries from Morgan Vaughan and Harry Summers restored some pride and made the final scoreline of 24-12 more respectable.

For their first official game of the season, in the newly-formed Division 5 East, they travelled to take on Crumlin RFC, which is never an easy task.

The game began well with Crick gaining territorial advantage for the majority of the first half.

Their efforts to cross the line were stymied by some stout Crumlin defence. The home side took the lead when, in only their third time in the Crickhowell half, their speedy winger ran in in the corner.

A penalty slotted over by outside-half Lewis Evans saw the half-time score read 5-3.

In the second-half, Crick’s troubles at the line-outs continued and it was from a line out that the home team gained their second try after the ball was passed along and a well-worked loop saw them touch down, again in the corner but this time converted.

Crick’s hopes were restored after Harry Summers cut inside and passed out to Ieuan Miles who crossed the line.

Osian Jones later claimed a try after kicking ahead and winning the race to the line but the referee deemed otherwise.

Justice was done about a minute later, however, when a goal-line drop-out went straight to touch and from the resultant five-metre scrum the ball was once again spun out to Jones and this time there was no doubt in the referee’s mind.

The visitors applied pressure in the dying minutes but a brilliant run from the Crumlin winger up the touchline saw Crick’s hopes dashed. The final score read Crumlin 19 Crickhowell 13.

The club’s next fixture is on Saturday, September 10. when they welcome Beaufort RFC to Parc Broyd. Kick off is 2.30 pm.

In other news, work on the new pavilion is continuing apace and for six-12 year-olds, the Crickhowell Warriors training is held at the ground on Tuesday nights at 6pm.