By Matthew John, of Blackwood Stars RFC
Blackwood Stars won this encounter against a strong physical side; we all knew that Beaufort would be a hard side to play against.
The first 20 minutes the Stars had the better of the encounter, but a strong Beaufort defence kept the score down to two penalties – both converted by Kyle Tudge.
Constant Stars pressure resulted in a rolling maul crossing the Beaufort line, Lewis Garrad grounds the ball – a try to the Stars, which Kyle Tudge converted.
With 15 minutes to go, Beaufort turned the pressure on and after ten minutes of sustained attacking play had gained a penalty, which was successfully slotted away.
From the restart the Stars put the pressure on and just before the break got their second try from Ross Martin. The conversion was missed, so at half time the score stood at 18 – 3.
In the opening exchanges of the second half both sides held their own, but gaps were now opening which the Stars were taking advantage of.
Forward passes and knock ons however were frustrating for players and supporters alike. With 20 minutes of the second half gone, there was some superb passing deep in the Stars half which resulted in Rhys Hallett receiving the ball for him to beat three players to go over the line unopposed. The Stars’ third try of the match was again converted by Kyle Tudge.
Beaufort came back into the game and after a move which used most of the back line, took them quickly up the field only for the final pass to be deemed to be forward by the referee.
The Stars however got stronger and the long summer training regime put in place by coaches Mark Birkby and Mark Williams was certainly showing in the players’ fitness.
The question was whether the Stars could get a bonus point. This looked guaranteed when a well worked move in the middle left Simon Hughes with the line in his sights, but it was not to be – a knock on. Stars supporters however had reason to cheer when Ross Martin went over for his second try with five minutes to go. This went unconverted with the final Score 30 – 3.