photo by Jane Harris

A last minute field goal gave Blackwood the points in a thriller against Torfaen Tigers at Pontypool on Saturday in the Welsh Conference Premier East.
 
Blackwood took an early lead after picking up a loose ball on their own ten metre line, and from the fifth tackle of the resulting set, Grenville Jones dived over with Jeremy Lloyd's kick hitting the post.
 
Torfaen replied five minutes later through a Gareth Davies try with Matt Entwhistle converting to give them a 6-4 lead.
 
Following Gerwyn Landrigan's sinbinning for dissent, Torfaen took advantage of the extra man and Davies went over again.
 
As soon as Blackwood were back to full-strength, they scored. Gareth Price forced his way over in the corner with Lloyd kicking the tricky conversion to level the scores but Rhys Davies scored a similar try for Torfaen minutes later to give them the advantage again.
 
However Byron Williams made it look easy for Blackwood in their next set as

he dodged his way through the Torfaen defence to ground under the sticks for the try of the match. Lloyd converted to put the Bulldogs into a 16-14 half-time lead.
 
Torfaen struck back after only three second half minutes after Entwhistle grabbed a loose ball to easily run over, converting himself.

Gareth Davies went over for his hat-trick five minutes later with Entwhistle converting to give Torfaen a ten-point lead but Blackwood got one back in their next attack with Tongan Moses Finau scoring and Lloyd converting.
 
Torfaen increased their lead once more with an Entwhistle try but Blackwood got another back after Gerwyn Price went over and Lloyd converted.
 
Dale Nash was the next Torfaen scorer, diving in the corner to give them a 34-28 lead but once again Blackwood equalised with Gareth Davies diving over and Lloyd converting a few minutes before he kicked that vital winner.
 
The West Wales Sharks v Aberavon Fighting Irish game was postponed due to a fire on Friday night in the New Dock Stars' bar and restaurant which spread to the changing rooms. According to club secretary Wayne Evans, the bar and changing rooms should be fine for next week's clash against Bridgend Blue Bulls but the restaurant will still be out of use.

article by Ian Golden
15 July 2006