Mountain Ash RFC

Mountain Ash RFC 1st XV
The Old Firm has played 18 games in total, winning 6 and losing 12 – comprising of 17 League games and one Cup game. The points scored total 294, while points conceded are 385. This equates to an average of 16-17 for and 21-22 against per game. 33 tries have been scored in total and 4 bonus points gained. Although Mount sit third from the bottom of the Division 1 East table, the heaviest defeats have come against those Clubs who have dominated the top three positions in the Division for most of the season. With Blackwood, Rumney, Glamorgan Wanderers home and Merthyr and Ebbw Vale away, Mount has a chance to gain a few victories to finish the season with a flourish, and improve their League position.

Mountain Ash RFC Athletic
Mountain Ash RFC 2nd XV have had 19 games scheduled but only played 11, winning 8 and losing 3. The 2nds sit at the top of the East Division of the Rhondda and East Glamorgan Rugby Union with 47 points, Dowlais II are second on 42 points, Bedlinog II third on 35 points and Abercwmboi II on 34. All teams have had 16 games scheduled, so no Club has any games in hand of another. In total, the 2nds have scored 296 points in the 12 games they’ve played and conceded 150, scoring 44 tries. All this equates to an average of 24-25 points and 3-4 tries scored and 12-13 conceded per match.  They Athletic face Merthyr II away on Saturday, 11 February, in the semi-final of the Mel Davies Cup, when both 1st XVs will be playing D1E fixtures. Centre Adrian Owen has scored 5 tries, followed by wing Gareth Williams and back row forward Jonathan Lewis with 4, and wing Liam Cooper-King, back row forward Scott Collins, centre Rhys Parfitt, and prop Daniel Davies getting 3 each. Outside half, Matthew Parfitt is top points scorer with 76, which is comprised of 8 penalties and 26 conversions. This has been an unprecedented season with regard to cancellations with 8 being cancelled so far – 7 by the opposition and one by Mountain Ash – and the team has been disrupted all season by these and hope they avoid any further occurrences for the rest of the season. Looking on the plus side, what a chance for the Athletic to win the East Division, made up of many WRU Club 2nd XVs, and what a chance to try and win a Cup competition for the first time since 2007/08 when second row, Chris Roberts, captain for that season, lifted the Ivor Williams Cup. Mount will need to keep their foot down and fight tooth and nail to keep at the top.

Mountain Ash RFC Youth
“The Young Firm” has played 18, won 14 and lost 4, scoring 308 points, including 46 tries and conceding 122. This averages out at 18 points and 2-3 tries scored per game played and 6-7 points conceded. The Mount team has improved as the season has progressed, especially the team’s defence, with no more than one try being conceded in all League matches since September. “The Young Firm” is currently top of the Blues BE RAF Youth League, having played 8 and won 6, which has gained them 20 points. In second place is Treharris, who have won 6 out of 6 and have 18 points, Dowlais are third with 15 points, which includes 4 wins from 7 played. Locally, Aberdare are 4th with 14 points with 4 wins from 6 and Abercynon are 6th with 12 points from 4 wins from 4 games. The Division is finely balanced and Mount has as good a chance as any other Club. The two defeats need – and can – be overturned, and the good form must be maintained. Gents, believe in yourself and go out and do it.   Mountain Ash Junior Section Judging on some of the results the different teams have achieved, the Mini rugby and Junior teams are having a good season. Keep it up !   To all Club teams, good luck for the rest of the season. Go for it on all fronts !