Rhondda Outlaws win a tight battle in Cardiff

CARDIFF ATHLETIC 28 RHONDDA OUTLAWS 36

By Ian Golden at Glamorgan Wanderers

Rhondda Outlaws fought hard to beat Cardiff Athletic at Glamorgan Wanderers, winning 36-28, with the lead changing hands a few times during the game.

Cardiff led on five minutes after Kyle Rose broke through for a try that Lewis Bratcher converted, but Rhondda soon hit back via an unconverted Rhod Garland try.

Bratcher crossed for a try of his own to extended Cardiff’s advantage with Rose converting on this occasion.

Just after the 20 minute mark, Rhondda were back in the game. Tom Hale scored in the corner with Mike Herbert converting. That was before Ieuan Griffiths stormed through to put them in the lead with Herbert again converting well.

Chris Morse dived over in the same place to extend Rhondda’s advantage to 20-12, the kick going just under the posts as the half-time whistle blew.

Cardiff crossed first again in the second half, Ryan Hall’s unconverted effort bringing the score back to 20-16. They then levelled through a Ben Cooksley try that Bratcher converted to put them 22-20 up.

Again Rhondda got back in the game. Mark Jones crossed under the sticks twice with Herbert converting on each occasion to give them a 32-22 lead.

Dafydd Smith raced 50 metres to wrap the game up for Rhondda but Cardiff weren’t finished yet. Morgan Parsons raced away for a similar try with Bratcher converting again to make the score look more than respectable for Cardiff who fielded 11 players under the age of 18.

In tonight’s other game, the Wales RL Student side, who are preparing for the Home Nations in Pontypridd next month, defeated the Parachute Regiment 22-18 in a friendly match at Sardis Road.