News

The Falcons welcomed last season's 3rd placed team Ynysddu to Maes Mclaren on saturday for the opening fixture of the 2016-17 Division 2 east season.

The game was played in awful conditions which would have been more expected in december rather than the opening weekend in september, but both teams tried to make a contest out of it but the greasy ball and poor under foot conditions played a contributing factor.

The game was an even contest and the first 20 was controlled by the home team who kept kicking behind the visitors and putting pressure on through  their brilliant defence. On the 25min mark Ynysddu were awarded a penalty on the half way line and to his credit their Outside half stepped up and converted an outstanding shot at goal to give them a 0-3 lead.

From the kick off the Falcons were awarded a penalty and put the ball into the corner. The ball was overthrown and Ynysddu thought they had escaped without conceding. They tried to clear the ball but the pressure from the backrow of Regan May, Luke Timothy & Kane Seaborne saw the ball shoot out of a ruck and was pounced on by centre Luke Smith to open the Falcons account for the season. Outside half Richard Theophilus added the extras to give the Falcons a 7-3 lead going into the break.

The 2nd half kicked off and seen a bit of a swing in momentum as the visitors helkd onto the ball for a large amount of time and forced the Falcons to defend and test their tackling aswel as their fitness, but the visitors could not get the try they were craving and all the had to show for their efforts was 2 quick fire penalty kicks to take the lead 7-9. Going into the final 10minutes the visitors turned the ball over in their own 22 and it looked as if a try was certainly going to be scored but outstanding chasing back and try saving tackle by full back Ricky Jones stopped the score and in doing so also forced a penalty and the Falcons were awarded possesion and cleared their lines. From the lineout they kicked deep through replacement Aaron Davies whom along with Ricky Jones and centre Lewys Bassett forced a penalty on the 22m line. Outside half Theophilus cooly stepped up and disected the uprights to give the hometeam the lead 10-9 going into the final 10minutes.

If the visitors thought they may have 1 last chance to get a scoring opportunity those hopes were quickly dashed as the Falcons took the kick off and mounted an excellent pick and go, going through 20 phases and killing the clock and ultimately knocking the remaining hope Ynysddu had of getting any chance of scoring. Replacement scrum half Geraint Jones booted the ball out after the referee had called last play to the joy of the home support and the Falcons got the victory their tireless effort and hardwork throughout the afternoon had deserved.

Next week we welcome Croesyceiliog RFC to Maes Mclaren with the boys hoping to add to this performance by getting another victory.

Kick off is 2.30pm

Starting XV

Ricky Jones

Steven Mumford

Lewys Bassett

Luke Smith

David Hynam

Richard Theophilus

Ryan Smith

Scott Theophilus

Daniel Powell

Paul Rees

Daniel Dixon

Craig Jones

Luke Timothy

Regan May

Kane Seaborne

Subs used

Aaron Davies

Geraint Jones