Youth rugby: Dowlais battle for territory

Oct 18 2007 by Our Correspondent, Merthyr Express

Dowlais Youth 20Ynysowen Youth 8

DOWLAIS went behind early on after a well-taken penalty by Nathan Watkins.

But from that point Dowlais won the battle for territory by playing most of their rugby camped in the Ynysowen half.

But with the last pass appearing to elude Dowlais they failed to capitalise on their territorial advantage. However, a piece of magic from man-of-the-match Ceri Morgan put Nathan Pritchard into space.

He used his speed to round two would-be defenders and score under the posts, then converting his own try.

Dowlais led at the interval 7-3.

The second half saw Dowlais yet again dominating the game, but finding Ynysowen plucky in defence.

Replacements Scott Cooper and Lloyd Hopkins worked well in the set-piece and defence respectively.

One turnover from Hopkins led to a try from David Atherton, which was again converted by Pritchard.

Two further penalties from Kurtis Haile gave Dowlais a commanding lead.

A late consolation try from Luke Price was not enough to rescue Ynysowen.