Coleg Gwent’s Crosskeys Campus rugby teams have kicked off their first league games with a double win.
In a thrilling first encounter, Crosskeys Campus first team played Coleg LLandrillo, newcomers to the WRU U18 Wednesday Colleges League on Wednesday 25 September.
Good early ball retention from Coleg Gwent’s Seamus Casey resulted in a try converted by Scott Turner. This was swiftly followed by a penalty from the kick off, and Coleg Llandrillo also got an early score, making it 7-3.
Scott Turner slotted over a penalty in front of the posts to make the score 10-3, but Llandrillo fought back to make it 10-10 after a try and conversion.
A penalty put Llandrillo ahead 13-10, before another try from Coleg Gwent’s Luke Leddington and a narrowly missed conversion brought Coleg Gwent back into the lead 15-13.
Coleg Gwent kept up the pressure and were rewarded by a try from scrum half Chris Price. Penalties awarded to both teams brought the score to 23-19 at half time.
Coleg Gwent’s Ellis Shipp scored an early try in the second half which was converted by Scott Turner and followed by a penalty from 15 metres out, bringing the score to 33-19.
Coleg Llandrillo fought back with a try and conversion, but Coleg Gwent came out on top with the final score finishing 33-26 to the home side.
Seamus Casey, Ellis Shipp, Chris Price and Luke Leddington were Coleg Gwent’s try scorers whilst Scott Turner secured 2 conversions and 3 penalties for the team.
Crosskeys Campus rugby coach Steve Llewellyn said: “The team are happy with the bonus point win from an exciting match. Whilst we dominated set piece we need to improve our defence and work rate to ensure continued success. All in all a promising start to the league games.”
Crosskeys Campus second team also played Duffryn High School in the South Gwent Schools League and celebrated an impressive 52-3 victory on the same day.
Second team try scorers were Macaulay Warren 2, Lloyd Reader 2, Jack Williams 1, Shane Martin 1, Kris Wheeler 1, Brad Wayman 1, Shane Martin 4 conversions and 1 penalty.
Students are now getting ready for a double header at home next week. The first team will play Cowbridge Comprehensive School at 2pm and the second team are set to face Chepstow School at 3.30pm.
Photograph: Crosskeys Campus first team captain Harrison Keddie, pictured right, led the team to their first victory as the Colleges League kicked off.
