Fixture

Blackwood make it three from three to continue unbeaten start to the season 

Blackwood continued their flawless start to their division 2 East campaign with a bonus point victory on the road to Croesyceiliog.

The two sides were level on points going into the game but Blackwood just edged out the result in a fiercely competitive game.

Blackwood's tries came from Josh Law, Hari Miles, Ben Stokes and Connor Lewis which was enough to see them to victory.

The hosts narrowly missed out on the win but tries from Rhys Bendon, Phil Williams and Ryan Bates ensured the game went down to the wire.

The hosts powered their way into the lead with an early set piece supported try.

The Croesyceiliog forwards brought the ball down from a lineout and set up their driving Maul which gained strong ground allowing for Bendon to peel away and cross for the opening score.

The home side would make it two tries in the first twenty-minutes with Williams crossing over after some strong phase play saw Croesy tuch down for their second try of the game. 

It wasn't long however before Blackwood thrusted their way back into contention straight from kick off. 

After a loose kick off Blackwood were able to play some quick rugby with Callum Gleadall finding space in the midfield.

Gleadall bombed towards the tryline before feeding the ball to Josh Law to run in the try and get Blackwood back into the game.

Blackwood would strike again drawing the game level this time through Hari Miles.

With the ball settled on the Croesy try line the Blackwood pack looked to eek out some hard yards to get over the whitewash.

After eight phases for the line Miles spotted the gap and steamed his way through the space to bring the scores level at 10-points a piece.

The visitors closed out the half with a try to push themselves infront before the break.

Youngster Jordan Way collect the ball isolated in the midfield with no support and looked certain to be outnumbered by the defense.

But a quick jink and some clever footwork saw Way break through before being stopped just short of the line but some quick thinking saw Way pop the ball up to Ben Stokes who carried over and after a Jacob Kenniford conversion Blackwood saw themselves 7-points up at the break.

Blackwood would match their first half energy straight from the off in the second half with an early try securing their bonus point. 

A great backs move saw blindside winger Morgan Evans break free from his wing and race through the midfield before linking up with his opposite wing in Lewis who finished off a great team try.

Croesy would score a fantastic individual try in the dying moments but it would land them just short.

Bates picked up the ball before dancing past three Blackwood defenders and bringing the game to just one score at 24-17 but it was too little too late for the home side.

Blackwood sit joint top of the Division 2 East table alongside Caldicot RFC and now face Garndiffaith at home who sit bottom in two weeks time.

Written By Max Drinkwater-James