Following their triumphant return from a tour of New Zealand and Hong Kong this summer, Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys Campus rugby team have made an excellent start to the season, winning their first league game 28-17.
Continuing their great form following five wins out of five games on the summer tour, the team sealed a hard-fought victory away to Coleg Morgannwg in windy conditions.
In the first half, and playing against the wind, the team looked to keep the ball in hand and go through the phases. The tactic paid off as continued pressure resulted in early penalties awarded. The Coleg Gwent team chose to go for goal with outside half Ethan Davies converting.
Both teams had opportunities to score, but it was Coleg Morgannwg who got the first try of the game from a loose offload deep in the opposition 22.
In the second half and with the wind behind them, Coleg Gwent played a territory game and again applied pressure through some good phases resulting in tries for George Davies, Scott Cole and Scott Mathews.
Both teams tried to play some expansive rugby, and were committed in defence which contributed to an entertaining game.
Sports Lecturer Steven Llewellyn said: “Players have been developing basic core skills and conditioning with the Newport Gwent Dragons Junior Academy and it was evident throughout the game.
“This performance will increase the squads’ confidence going into this year’s College competition. The team aspires to go one step further and win the league outright this season.”
The team travel to Pembrokeshire College on the October 12 for their next league fixture.