Bargoed 32 Newport Saracens 28

Bargoed leapt to top spot in Division One East following a bonus point victory over a rejuvenated Newport Saracens. Strengthened by half a dozen signings the previous week, the Sarries looked a much improved outfit and opened the scoring with a well struck Owain Biddedscombe penalty. The Blues had scrummaged impressively in the first couple of engagements and opened their account with just fourteen minutes on the clock. Hooker Stephen Rose had thrown to Ian Jenkins at the front of a lineout on the Sarries’ twenty two. The prop passed back to Rose who was bundled towards the corner flag. The home side had knocked on attempting to release the ball and from the ensuing scrum the Bargoed pack walked the ball over the line with number eight Lewis Wayman claiming the try after showing excellent control with the ball at his feet.

Outside half Danny Jones missed the conversion kicking into the teeth of a biting easterly wind. Newport Saracens took the game to the Blues and had much the better of possession in the second quarter and they took a deserved lead on 32 minutes when scrum half Nathan Powell tapped a penalty and slipped a pass to wing Gareth Dare for a simple run in. Biddescombe missed the conversion but made amends with a penalty a few minutes later to put the home side ahead by 11-5.

A case of mistaken identity saw hooker Stephen Rose go to the sin bin five minutes before half time. Sarries scrum half Nathan Powell was laid out by a high tackle and although a definite yellow card offence, Rose was unlucky to be identified as the culprit. The home side made Bargoed pay and moments later Powell tapped a penalty and went over for their second try to lead 16-5.

On the stroke of half time the Bargoed backs showed the Newport crowd what they were capable of. Jamie Howells fielded a long kick at full back and started a counter attack. Making ground he found support from scrum half Mike Roberts and with centre Darren Humphries, outside half Jones and wing Jeremy Lovell all exchanging passes twice, the Blues scored a wonderful try from 70 metres with Danny Jones finishing it off. The conversion failed and the half time whistle went with Sarries leading 16-10.

The second half began with the Newport side looking to press home their one man advantage with hooker Rose still off the field and within a minute of the restart centre Steve Taylor exploited a gap in midfield to sail through and Biddescombe added the conversion. To take the score to 23-10. Bargoed captain Mike Roberts read the riot act and this spurred a Blues comeback. With Bargoed restored to a full fifteen they began to exert some pressure and were making inroads with Sarries holding out with some desperate defending.

Wayman punched a hole through the centre and flanker Huw Davies went close but a defender carried over for a Bargoed scrum five metres out. The pushover looked inevitable but clever thinking by Roberts caught Sarries napping with a short pass to replacement centre Greg Callow to straighten his run and cross under the posts. Jones converted and Bargoed were back within 3 points. The Blues were now commanding most aspects of play and forwards Adam Kidley, Dan Crandon and Huw Davies almost increased the lead, only to be foiled illegally at a ruck -a Sarries defender went to the bin as a result. Bargoed took advantage from a well weighted grubber kick by outside half Jones and it was Callow who followed up to claim his second try inside 10 minutes and claimed the all important bonus point.

Bargoed looked to have put the game beyond the home side with a fifth try six minutes from time. Wing Geraint Hodges ran at the Sarries defence and drawing his opposite number put Howells into space, he found support from Danny Jones who picked up his second try of the afternoon and secured the conversion to put Bargoed 23-32 ahead.

However, the Sarries were not finished. A speculative kick from flanker Huw Davies was taken by Wesley Cunliffe who countered from inside his own twenty two. The speedy winger cut through the middle of the Bargoed defence and some impressive backing up by lock John Cozzil saw the big man take a well timed pass from Cunliffe to go over for their fourth try and a deserved double bonus point - one for four tries and one for finishing within seven points of the Blues.

Bargoed Chairman Neil Carter was delighted with the result “ We knew it would be tough coming down here. You can’t read anything into the fact that the Sarries were bottom of the league. I thought they played well today and we are very happy to have come away with a bonus point win. We have another tough game on Friday night when we entertain Ystrad Rhondda in the Mid District Cup.”

Scorers: Newport Saracens - Tries: Dare; Taylor; Powell; Cozzil; Pens: Biddescombe (2); Cons: Biddescombe (1). Bargoed: Tries - Wayman; Callow (2); Jones (2); Pens: Jones (1); Cons: Jones (2).