Rugby: Plucky Porth are flying high

May 8 2008 by Dave Edwards, Rhondda Leader

Porth 57 Deri 17

THE last week of the season saw Porth requiring two wins from their last two games to ensure promotion from Division Five South East.

The first of the games was a rearranged fixture at home against third placed Deri.

Porth were determined to play a fast tempo game and this was rewarded when after only three minutes a quickly taken penalty by scrum half Mark Jones was fed to outside half Jamie Caple who crossed for the opening score converted by winger Richard Davies.

Porth continued in the same manner and were rewarded with tries after 14 minutes by Davies, and 25 minutes when centre Richard Williams crashed over.

On 35 minutes great approach work by the forward resulted in hooker James Jones being driven over, and a final try of the first half when Caple broke out of the home 22 and started a flowing move which saw full back Greg Morris dived over under the posts.

Caple gathered the ball to score under the posts and make the score a comfortable 36-0 which was increased five minutes later when man of the match Geraint Morris collected a loose ball to cross.

Porth sat back and allowed Deri to score three tries, but with the Rhondda side also scoring a further two through Morris and centre Ross Pearce the game ended a resounding victory for the home side.

St Albans 19 Porth 32

The season’s final game was played away to St Albans in Cardiff with captain Gary Harris and outside half Jamie Caple unavailable.

St Albans had only pride to play for, while Porth simply needed a win to ensure promotion.

Porth's cause took another blow when full back Greg Morris was injured and was replaced by Richard Williams.

Williams instigated the first try after 28 minutes when a good run resulted in a maul and quick ball being moved along the line for winger Richard Davies to cross and add the extra points for a 7-0 lead.

Porth scored again three minutes later when scrum half Mark Jones made a good break and crossed in the corner..

Jones started a move which resulted in a wonderful try by Geraint Morris when the flanker chipped the full back and beat the defence to the touchdown, and with a further penalty by Davies the half time score was 22-0.

Porth scored a further second half try through flanker Jamie Lewis, which secured a bonus point and brought up 100 tries for the season.

With Davies adding a penalty the game seemed secure and although St Albans scored three late tries, Porth held out for a victory 32-19 and were crowned champions of division Five South East.

This season has seen Porth play some scintillating rugby and score some wonderful tries, and credit is often too easily given to the backs for finishing off the moves, but huge credit must also be given to the forwards who have worked tirelessly this season to create the platform which allowed the back to exhibit their skills