photo by Mark Harris

Cardiff Demons got sweet revenge for their last minute defeat in round six of the Welsh Conference Premier by showing a disciplined and controlled performance to overcome the Torfaen Tigers 34-26 in the blazing heat at the Memorial ground in Pontypool.

The Tigers got off to the perfect start with two tries in their opening sets.  Matt Entwhistle picked up the first after some great handling skills to get the ball from one side of the Park to the other.  Gareth John Jenkins then capitalised on a Demons penalty by diving in under the sticks and with Entwhistle converting  both gave the Tigers a 12-0 lead at the six minute mark.

The Demons then took control and the Tigers would not cross their line again until the 70th minute of the game.  Some great defence followed by a number of repeated sets saw Miles Davies get the Demons on the scoreboard.  Quick hands from Jones saw Rhodri Thomas in the open who touched down and the two Jones conversions levelled

the scores. Minutes later it seemed that Owen Jenkins had hit the whitewash but he managed to offload putting Matt Morrissey in to give the Demons the lead. 

It seemed that continued pressure just before the break was certain to lead to a score for the Tigers. The kick, on the last, went straight to Andrew Bradshaw who ran almost the length of the pitch passing to Shayne Goddard who juggled the ball before touching down in the corner to give the Demons a 22-12 lead at half time. 

Goddard scored again at 53 minutes chipping the fullback to touchdown and with a Jones conversion and a penalty a few minutes later the difference was now three scores.

The Tigers rallied and two quick tries, the first from a Demons fumbled kick off reception, saw Jamie Tibbs score and a try from the strong running of Matthew Davies closed the gap to ten points.

Jones missed a drop goal attempt but the Demons sealed the win two minutes later with a Wayne Williams try under the sticks.

The Tigers picked up a consolation try from David Davies but with a 34-26 win it’s the Demons that progress to a semi final at the Blackwood Bulldogs next Sunday.

article by Mark Harris
26 July 2008