Fixture

RTB Steelers U10’s played in the annual Rhymney tournament for the first time this weekend. The organisation was first class and congratulation go to them on a fabulous tournament. The Steelers found themselves in a group of death with Tonyrefail, our great friends Risca and Abergavenny.

As always, the group started slowly in the game versus Tonyrefail. A couple of ball carriers initially caused the group problems, however stern defence ensured the no tries were concerned. As defence turned to attack, the lethality of the Steelers scored a few quick tries to put the game out of the reach of Tonyrefail to win 3 tries to 0.

This put the Steelers on a collision course with Risca, a team we had already faced five times previous this season. Games are always even, however the Steelers were highly committed on the day and managed a fabulous 4 tries to 0 victory against very strong opponents.

The final group game was against Abergavenny, who were missing a couple of key players. However the players who took the field were a credit to their coach and battled bravely against an RTB team now with the bit between their teeth. The RTB squad completed a good victory to emerge as Group winners.

The format of the tournament resulted in a play-off against the team in identical positions in Group A and B. This meant RTB Steelers faced the winners of the other group in a final, hosts Rhymney. The victor would emerge as unofficial winners of a fabulous, and keenly contested tournament.

The group has faced the Rhymney group ever since U7 pathway, and it is fair to say that Rhymney have always had the better of the exchanges, however we have not faced each other since 2014, so the game was going to be an unknown quantity for both.

The atmosphere was electric and a large crowd stayed to watch an intense and very physical final. The commitment on show from both sides was incredible for boys of 9 and 10 years of age. RTB started strongly, however the Rhymney defence matched all that was thrown at them. The game ebbed and flowed and defence was king in a war of attrition.

RTB spurned opportunities as strong running through the middle created gaps out wide, however understandably the tension resulted in players getting excited and not choosing the percentage option. Frustration resulted in a rising penalty count against RTB, however defence held firm and a 0-0 outcome was the result at full time.

That led to extra time, an inspired substitution by the coaches brought on Jamie Reynolds. Jamie’s running created havoc in the tired Rhymney defence and suddenly spaces appeared. At this stage the Steelers took full advantage and two tries using the full width of the pitch ensued to win the game 2 tries to 0.

The win meant the RTB Steelers were crowned ‘unofficial’ winners of the festival, the fourth such crown of a long and hard season. The squad representing the group in Rhymney were:

Charlie Birch, Liam Price, Max Gregory, Josh Davies, Lewis Prendergast, Wes Ives, Leon Williams, Dylan Edwards, Owen Jones, Jamie Reynolds, Johann Francis, Mason Lewis, Callum Rooker and Mitch Parker.

That concludes U10 pathway rugby and the group look back on a gargantuan season. Four festival victories (Newbridge, Pencoed, Wimbourne and Rhymney), Development Games, Floodlit Spectacular, increased player base and exposure for squad members to representative rugby for Blaenau Gwent Schools U11’s.

The group thanks players, parents, volunteers, managers and coaches for committing so much to a fabulous set up this season, we start preparing for 2016/17 early June.