CONFERENCE LEAGUE SOUTH: Torfaen Tigers 34 West Wales Raiders 36

Torfaen Tigers 34 West Wales Raiders 36

By Ian Lovell at Cwmbran RFC

A late, late try from West Wales’ Shane Edwards claimed a 36-34 victory over Torfaen Tigersin a hard fought uncompromising battle at Cwmbran on a cool late summer’s evening.

West Wales were first on the board after earning scrum as hooker Dafydd Phillips crossed for a try improved upon by Taylor Phillips.

Torfaen soon reduced arrears as high bomb into their defence caused confusion and Jarred Hinnem took advantage to cross, Matthew Cummins was wide with his goal attempt. Not long after Torfaen took the lead following good hands Fraser Stroud’s cut out pass was claimed by Matthew Cummins who crossed out wide, again the goal attempt went wide.

Torfaen’s tails were up and Sam Baker crossed out wide this time improved upon by Cummins before West Wales hit back with a try by Iwan Mayze improved upon by Taylor Phillips.

Their joy didn’t last long as a dropped ball was gathered up by Mike Edwards who despite being caught short of the line Matt Williams crossed from the play the ball.

West Wales found themselves a man down after a yellow card was issued to Josh Taylorfollowing an off the ball incident. Torfaen took full advantage with Danyl Davies the first to react to a kick through to cross, Cummins converted as the half time whistle blew for a 26 points to 12 advantage.

Raiders were quickly up to stride in the second half as Dafydd Phillips claimed a second try, his namesake Taylor Phillips adding the goal. Minutes later a further try followed as a cross field kick caused confusion and Ben Swift restored to the field following his sin binning leapt on the loose ball, despite the missed goal Tigers’ lead was cut to four pints.

Indiscipline was the theme for the next few minutes as West Wales’ Aaron Lewis saw red for fighting with Tigers’ Louie Pengelly given a yellow card for retaliation. Following an unconverted Tigers try by Sam Baker yet more indiscipline followed from the home side as Jay Markey saw a straight red for an alleged stamp.

West Wales pulled a try back before Tigers were reduced to 11 men as Stroud saw red for fighting. Tigers were not to be denied as Danyl Davies ran almost the whole length of the field, weaving around defenders to cross. Cummins adding the goal.

West Wales weren’t about to give in as Morgan Jefferies got on the end of a pass to cross for a try improved upon by Dai Thomas to reduce the deficit to two points before Davies turned from hero to villain as he was yellow carded for a high tackle.

There was still time left for West Wales to make a final attack and Shane Edwards crashed through a pile of bodies to claim the spoils; the missed conversion was academic as West Wales celebrated what looked an unlikely win at the interval.