Newport HSOB Under 9’s travelled to Croesyceiliog looking to avenge the 6-0 defeat they received earlier in the season and looked like making amends before the home side produced a comeback to take the spoils 3 tries to 2.
NHSOB stood up to the larger Croesy team and excellent tackling kept them at bay, with Aneurin Owen in particular putting in some bone crunching tackles.
NHSOB made some determined attacks which was rewarded when drives from Aneurin Owen and Peter Davies took play deep into the Cockerels territory before Lewis Everrett dived over, giving NHSOB the lead.
This remained the score at Half time, despite some determined runs from Josh Farmer, Dan Holcombe and Ethan Clayden. Croesy caught the NHSOB defence napping directly from the 2nd half restart to level the scores.
After a period where defence ruled, the home side made a concerted attack, but a turnover at the breakdown from the NHSOB Man of the Match, Callum Oliver thwarted the attack and the ball was fed to the speedy Peter Davies who sprinted the length of the field to regain the lead for NHSOB.
Again, from the restart, the NHSOB defence was caught napping and Croesy again ran in to level at 2 tries apiece. At this point, the game could have gone either way and it was the home side who took the initiative to drive through the NHSOB defence taking the lead for the first time.
NHSOB didn't give up and were unlucky not to draw level when Callum Oliver stole another turnover on the half way line and sprinted down the blindside before being forced into touch just short of the line.
Croesyceiliog held out, but NHSOB can feel proud of the way that they competed after being outplayed earlier in the season.
NHSOB Under 9’s Squad for the game against Croesyceiliog:
Ethan Clayden, Peter Davies, Lewis Everett, Josh Farmer, Dan Holcombe, Taylor Kidd, George O'Gara, Callum Oliver (Captain), Aneurin Owen, Joseph Perry, Callum Price, Sam Steed, Daniel Sullivan.
