Home  ::  Previous Seasons  ::  Match Reports  :: Blackwood v Newbridge - Ben Francis Cup Final (11th May 2009) Friday 10th of September 2010

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Match:	Blackwood v Newbridge - Ben Francis Cup Final
Date:	11th May 2009
Venue:	Rodney Parade, Newport
Final Score:	32 - 18
Supporters Man of the Match:	Ryan Lee
Write Up:	BLACKWOOD 32 - NEWBRIDGE 18 Worthington Ben Francis Cup Final Blackwood won the Worthington’s Ben Francis Cup by defeating fellow Gwent Division One East club Newbridge in an exciting clash at Rodney Parade, Newport. The win justified the league positions as Blackwood were champions and Newbridge runners-up in that competition also. Both sides had lost their home meetings in the league but Blackwood won the try-count on this game 4-2 with better finishing than their rivals. The strong wind and cold did not make for good rugby and though both sides tried hard, initial nerves took over with both sides trying to force a score. It was Newbridge who led 10-3 after player / coach Byron Hayward, had kicked a penalty and converted a try by lock Jamie Noble against a penalty by Blackwood centre Gareth Price. Once Blackwood settled the dominance began to show. Using wave after wave of possession and going through the phases, right wing David James opened up a gap and sliced through to score under the uprights. Price converted to bring the scores level at 10-10. On the stroke of half time, James split open the Newbridge defence before passing to Gareth Price who was hauled down short before offloading well to outside-half Chris Wannell who ended off a great move under the posts. Price converted to put Blackwood 17-10 up at half-time. The second half kicked off and a schoolboy error by Hayward saw the ball go down the throat of Blackwood full back Ryan Lee, who raced past the whole Newbridge team to score under the posts. Price converted to give Blackwood some breathing space and bring the score to 24-10. Hayward replied immediately with a penalty to close the gap a little but back came Blackwood. After some strong driving by Rhys Buckley at the line, it was Gareth Price who touched down for the try. Price sailed the conversion wide but Blackwood were well in control and had a handsome lead of 29-10. Newbridge wing Len Woodard crossed for a consolation try in the corner despite the close attention of Blackwood wing David James. Hayward missed the conversion and the score stood at 29-15 with 15 minutes remaining. Though Haywood kicked another penalty, it was Blackwood who mounted strong pressure to the end despite some thuggish tactics from the Newbridge prop. They did manange another penalty for their efforts through the boot of Price to give a final score of Blackwood 32 - Newbridge 18 and crowned 'worthy' winners of the Ben Francis Cup. Blackwood: Ryan Lee, Trevor James, Gareth Price, Luke Knight, David James, Chris Wannell, Gavin Rees (capt), Rhys Morgan, Rhys Buckley, Craig Nutt, Gareth Rusby-Davies, Marc Gwilt, Adam Coupe, David Brake, Andrew Coupe. Replacements: Rhys Hallett, Mark Birkby, Anthony John, Dean Gibbs, Chris Poole, Nathan Curtis, Jason Rogers. Scorers: Tries - David James; Chris Wannell, Ryan Lee, Gareth Price; Conversions - Gareth Price (3); Penalties - G Price (2) Newbridge: Ceri Young, Len Woodard, Jonathan Hawker, Geraint Langdon, Tom Watkins, Byron Hayward, Rhys Griffiths, Jamie Cross, Darryl Williams (capt), Jamie Noble, Scott Marasco, Lee Taylor, Ross Coombes, Nick Tucker Replacements: Dan Tucker, Craig Attwell, Gareth Betts, James Quirk, Rhydian Wilson, Gary Wilkes Scorers: Tries - Jamie Noble, Len Woodard; Conversions - Byron Hayward; Penalties - B Hayward (2) Wayne Hopkins
Photos:	Adam Coupe and Rhys Morgan halt a Newbridge attack ! Newbridge try to distract Blackwood by doing the truffle shuffle ! Chris Wannell bursts through a gap despite the attention of Leigh Taylor. David James celebrates after scoring his try. Ryan Lee touches down to score a stunning solo try ! Fisticuffs at Rodney Parade. Luke Knight puts pressure on Byron Hayward which leads to a Gareth Price try. Gavin Rees sets the ball up for Craig Nutt & David Brake. Man of the match Ryan Lee steps on the gas and finds a gap ! Blackwood crowned Ben Francis Cup Winners 2009 !
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