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Aberavon v Waterloo MatchPack : Report
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It was a good day at the office for the Wizards as they ran in nine tries to beat English opponents coached by Chris O'Callaghan out of sight.
Famously, a Rochdale rugby league director put up a huge sign in his butchers shop in 1922 that read: "If Rochdale backs wont feed our Wales winger Wick Powell, I will!" This was certainly not the case at the Talbot Athletic Ground as the Aberavon backs gave two fine wings - Steve Davies and Richard Carter - plenty of ball.
The real shining light though was the return of Jamie Davies for his first game since breaking his left arm four months ago. Davies lead the backline as only he can, passing and kicking superbly and notching a glorious try - his 86th for the club.
It was also a huge day for No 8 Richard Morris, who scored his 133rd try in his 400th appearance since Neath mistakenly discarded him. Morris buried a Waterloo player in the first half, who received a suicide ball from a teammate.
There was selection problems handed out all around as for example, David Pritchard at scrum half revelled in his first partnership with Davies at half and Rory Gallagher gave a rugged showing at blind-side, while Luke Hathaway and Richard Thomas formed a good centre partnership.
It was good news all over after Aberavon, as usual, had surrendered a converted try to go 7-0 down in as many minutes. It took just three minutes before man-of-the-match Steve Davies ran cleverly, offloaded to Ricky Thomas and he sent Richard Thomas streaking over.
Morris crashed over for a trademark try to extend his club record and then Jamie Davies glided over before Carter knifed through to score well. Davies converted twice for a 24-7 interval lead.
Gallagher scored a good forwards try and after Hathaway started a move, Richard Thomas sent Steve Davies racing clear. Jamie Davies goaled both and his day's work was done, leaving a 'business as usual' sign for all to see.
Waterloo were now wilting and the Aberavon scrum with Lloyd Howell and Paul Breeze propping and Neil White hooking went well, though both White and Chris Davies received yellow cards from a good referee, Steve Edwards of Ammanford.
In the closing quarter replacement Paul Bamsey crashed over and then Steve Davies and Carter both scored again with another replacement, James Garland, goaling twice.
Aberavon- Tries: R. Carter (2), S. Davies (2), R. Morris, J. Davies, R. Gallagher, P. Bamsey, Richard Thomas. Cons: J. Davies (4), J. Garland (2).
Team - Ricky Thomas; R. Carter, Richard Thomas, L. Hathaway, S. Davies; J. Davies, D. Pritchard; L. Howell, Neil White, P. Breeze, I. Moore (capt), A. Fisher, R. Gallagher, R. Morris, C. Davies,
Replacements used - C. Gittins, A. Davies, R. Davies, M. Harvey, J. Garland, G. Hooper, Nathan White, P. Bamsey, D. Thomas.
Howard Evans
| Report from the |
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Starting XV: Ricky Thomas; Richard Carter, Luke
Hathaway, Richard Thomas, Steve Davies; Jamie Davies, Dai Pritchard; Lloyd Howell, Neil
White, Paul Breeze, Ian Moore (capt), Andrew Fisher, Rory Gallagher, Richard Morris, Chris Davies.
Referee: Steve Edwards
1st Half
07 min: T - S.Dodd & C - F.Lynch (0 - 7)
09 min: T - Richard Thomas (5 - 7)
18 min: T - Richard Morris & C - Jamie Davies (12 - 7)
32 min: T - Jamie Davies & C - Jamie Davies (19 - 7)
37 min: T - Richard Carter (24 - 7)
2nd Half
42 min: T - Rory Gallagher & C - Jamie Davies (31 - 7)
52 min: T - Steve Davies & C - Jamie Davies (38 - 7)
64 min: T - Paul Bamsey & C -James Garland (45 - 7)
71 min: T - Steve Davies (50 - 7)
80 min: T - Richard Carter & C -James Garland (57 - 7)
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