Caerphilly 51-3 Wattstown
Saturday January 14, Constructaquote Stadium
Caerphilly carried out an impressive, clinical demolition of Wattstown in the WRU National Bowl fifth round to secure a place in the competition’s quarter-final, and take a step closer to a day out at the Principality Stadium in May.
The Castlemen scored eight tries and topped 50 points for the sixth time this season, racking up the biggest scoreline across the fifth round matches.
The home side set their stall out early, when great lineout ball on the right hand side was moved inwards, where fly-half Matthew Hurley was on hand to chip ahead for centre Matthew Nuthall to collect and fall over the line.
Winger Chris Thomas doubled his side’s lead six minutes later, as he finished off a team move which showcased some excellent handling. Wattstown hit back shortly after with a penalty from fly-half Matthew Lewis, but that was to be their only score of the match as they were starved of possession and territory.
No8 Josh Hayward grabbed Caerphilly’s third score with half an hour on the clock, driving over the line after picking the ball from the base of a strong scrum. Hurley, unusually profligate, finally found his range from the tee to add the extras. The home side were passing the ball fluidly through the backs and looked good for their 17-3 lead.
Five minutes later, Tom Candy got in on the action after good footwork and awareness from Thomas led to the full-back crossing the line. Thomas was involved again as Caerphilly got a fifth, delivering an inch-perfect pass to scrum-half Jac Jonathan, who ran 22 yards to score.
Hurley added a delicate penalty on the stroke of half-time to give the home side a 34-3 lead at the interval.
The onslaught continued after the break as Caerphilly opened the second half with a try from Nuthall, who powerfully broke through several defenders to touch down.
Nuthall’s centre partner, Simon Skinner, was forced off with a suspected broken rib after a heavy tackle, and coach Brett Davey rang the changes on the 50 minute mark.
Replacement hooker Rhys Cleverly made an immediate impact, cutting an accurate line through the Wattstown defence to score, though not without suspicion of crossing.
Both sides were reduced to 14 men with ten minutes left, and Wattstown enjoyed a rare purple patch with a series of penalties and possession. Caerphilly withstood the pressure, and scored their final try of the game through winger Dan Jones.
Breaking from deep, Candy hugged the touchline before chipping ahead on the half-way line. A chasing Nuthall gathered the bouncing ball, and spun it wide for Jones to collect and cross for the half-century of points.
The Castlemen next face local rivals Taffs Well in the quarter-final on Saturday February 18.
• Match report and photography by Mark Tamplin of Caerphilly RFC.
• In the WRU National Plate fourth round, Nelson beat Trebanos at Ystrad Mynach’s Centre for Sporting Excellence, while Penallta secured an away victory at Aberavon Quins, and Abercarn defeated Croesyceiliog 22-6.