Athletic 2022-23

Match Report Caerphilly Home.

The squad assembled like legionnaires ready for battle. 31 Players meant travelling reserves Webber – Corke and Hadley were surplus to requirements much to their joy.
Team selection is proving difficult with training numbers increasing and several positions having multiple options – at Centre there is riches beyond expectation with Jones, Morgan, Jacobs, Henessey, Blandford, Evans and new recruit G-Minett to select from. Luckily with the team focus several were happy to play in different positions, to aid the team effort. Upfront the problem was much the same with 17 forwards to choose from. The modern game compliments a strong bench and with youth and experience spread over the starting XV and the replacements it was hoped over the full duration Merthyr would produce the goods.
With team selection done news filters through that Caerphilly only have 13 players. This added to the dilemma at the prospect of a 13 a side game. Luckily and to their credit Jackal, Perks and Permit player Neville agreed to play for Caerphilly to ensure we had a 15-a-side competitive game.
The game started at a slow and lethargic pace for Merthyr, although no scores for some time both teams ventured into enemy territory without reward. Eventually Caerphilly broke through and with a flurry. Once again Merthyr let themselves down with some unorganized kick chase plays that saw Caerphilly sneak through. Moving forward it is imperative this is rectified as it is leaking tries in what otherwise is a strong robust defence. Merthyr trailed at half-time by 26-12 and seemed out of the game with a 4-2 try split. The introduction of Burns, Caviel and Thomas into the pack gave Merthyr some quality first face possession – The Salmon did Salmon like leaping and secured some quality possession from lineout, Burns strengthened up the scrum and was well supported by Murphy – this led to some quality turnover scrum possession, while Caviel offered a direct approach that others followed. We were back in the game. Despite this fight back with twenty minutes to go Merthyr trailed 47-26. It seemed like Michael Sheen had delivered a speech as the Athletic “dared to dream” A try by Thomas, another try by another Thomas – it was on. With ten minutes left the deficit was depleted to 47 – 38, surely, surely not. With a spring in their step Merthyr threw everything at it. Camped in the Caerphilly 22m they pounded away, only to be held out time and time again. Jackal proved a valuable defender for Caerphilly – dropping Caviel on the charge like a lumberjack – he needs to by a jacket like his colleague Munch.
Merthyr did eventually break through to score in the corner and with what was thought five minutes to go surely, we could do this. Sadly, the referee had the wrong watch on – No Fergie Time this week and the final whistle was blown – 47-43. 90 points in a thriller, the downside being Merthyr created 7 tries but also gifted a few.
Donkey of the day was awarded to Coach Thomas – a strange decision for wearing a very fashionable “Dai Cap”, however young Iwan Thomas took his place in the weekly boat race between Donkey and Man of the Match, this was for his poorly chosen chip over that resulted in a Caerphilly Try – EEE OOO!!! Man of the Match was awarded to Kieron Thomas who once again produced a stella like performance and left the field with a nicely swollen eye that apparently is going to give him better luck with the birds in Kooler – we will see!!!! K Thomas produced a much better Boat Race compared to his last attempt some weeks ago- which resulted in The Salmon required to venture onto the field for the end of match ritual – once again he was tackled – this time by the ten-year-olds on the side. The WAGs were cheering and enjoying the show.

Last on the list for the day was the drinking games – several of the team showing how mathematically challenged they are which led too much guzzling of alcoholic substances – the chairman will be happy as the tills were tinging.
Moving forward – remedial Maths on a Monday – all are to attend. Training will continue and with numbers flourishing we are hopeful to get back to winning ways as soon as possible.

TeamAth – we keep building and moving forward. Well Done all.

Moment of the Day – New Prop Butler when introduced as a late replacement asked his opponent in the heat of the battle in his first scrum – “Nice Socks – Where did you get them from?”