Fixture

On a cold, crisp, South Gwent morning, the RTB Steelers U10's faced three teams. One familiar foe and two new teams provided the opposition to a Steelers outfit missing a number of regular faces.

Whitchurch Warriors (Cardiff) were the first opponents. The Cardiff team presented a physical challenge to the Ebbw Vale unit and contained some big lads who presented initial problems to the defence. However, as always, grit and determination from the Steelers ensured that the defence was not crossed. Quality 'jackling' from Charlie Birch and Dylan Edwards ensured good turnover ball which was converted to tries by the scavenging RTB team.  A score of 20 points to 0 in favour of RTB Steelers was the outcome.

Swiftly followed, was the latest part of the all Gwent trilogy between RTB Steelers and Risca. The previous game in october resulted in a draw, that was sealed by a quality individual try in injury time from the talented Risca outfit. Todays game started with RTB showing great endeavour and hunting with a 'wolf pack' mentality put great pressure on Risca.

Go forward through Leon Williams and Mitch Parker put RTB on the front foot, however the territorial dominance in the first period  only achieved a two try lead.

As the game progressed, Risca started to put the visitors under a great deal of pressure. The penalty count against the visitors was rising and as the game entered injury time the Steelers held a slim advantage. However, deja vous struck in the last play of the game and Risca scored to level the game at 10 points all. A fair result, however we look at the scoreboard with slight disappointment as the defensive effort put in by Max Gregory, Dylan Lewis, Cameron Boulter, Wesley Ives and Lewis Prendergast possibly deserved more,however the game on Eugene Cross Park on 15th March quickly offers the next chapter of this trilogy.

The final game was against St Albans (Cardiff), this proved a more expansive encounter and the Steelers opened up to show attacking flair, determination and desire to win the encounter in a comfortable manner. Great individual tries by Dylan Edwards, Jamie Reynolds and Liam Price were coupled with great team tries orchestrated by Lewis Prendergast and Charlie Birch to ensure a victory by 35 points to 5.

A fabulous morning was enjoyed by all and the standard set out today will act as the mechanism for the team performances as we go forward.