RTB (EBBW VALE) RFC.

On Boxing Day morning RTB (Ebbw Vale) RFC held their annual rugby game between RTB Seniors, Vets & Youth fifteens playing for the Winston O’Brien Cup.
The game was well supported by a very vocal crowd and players alike with old stalwarts Mark Dicks, Rod Dicks, David Dobbs, Ian Price, Glyn Moon, Julian Caple, Rob Congreaves, John Charles, Damion Morris, Paul Jones and a late replacement of Carl Morris and Noel Hale making a showing.
Referee duties, were shared between WRU Referees Paul Jones and Rob Hale with the latter showing the youngsters how rugby should or should not be played.
Besides the normal rugby rules of the game there is always an exception of an extra rule for this game, which involves no kicking.
From the start and for the first twenty minutes the Youth were on the attack and only a brave defence kept out this classy and speedy Youth side. But then against the run of play the seniors released their own bullet in the shape of Ron Ashman who out stripped the Youth defence only just to be caught on the try line by up and coming Congreaves Junior, but the try was allowed.
On the stroke of the first third half, Youth player Craig Duncan made an excellent break to score under the posts to level the scores at five points apiece.
At the break Gas & Air was being wheeled on for some of the older members but wholesale changes by Senior Coach Andrew Beecham paid off as Rod Dicks proved to be their saviour as the Youth struggled to handle the big man and he was rewarded with a try.
This game was no one way traffic with Youth players Alex Summers, Josh Pearce, Ricky Jones and a young Youth number eight making their presence felt with some Stirling work.
The senior’s now changed their tactics and reverted to a more forward approach which resulted in acting Captain Andrew Penny bulldozing his way over for their third try.
At the second break RTB Seniors 15 v 5 RTB Youth.
More changes were required at this point for the tiring seniors and they scored when Youth Coach Julian Caple dived over for a deserved try.
At this point Paul Jones playing now at flanker had a few verbals with now referee Rob Hale who replied that he did not need glasses as he had just had his eyes tested and subsequently a series of penalties followed against the player resulting in an excellent try by Joe Franchi of the Youth.
The Youth now with their tails up proceeded to monopolise the game and were showing touches of why they have been having a very good season todate and with minutes to spare, Man of the Match Josh Pearce left his marker for dead to score an excellent equalising try for the Youth.
Fulltime….RTB Seniors 20 v 20 RTB Youth.
Many thanks to everyone who helped to make this event a memorable occasion and the way everyone conducted themselves at the club afterwards.
Report….Phil Swan.