In a rescheduled game from last weekend Torfaen Tigers came out on top in a try fest beating the Dinefwr Shark 52-44 at Panteg RFC.

It was the visitors that got off the mark on their first possession as Alan Pope crossed the line for the first of his three tries on the day.  The goal from Andrew Sponart made it 0-6.

The Tigers, who started slowly, then took a grip on the first half with three quick tries.  First up was Damien Smith diving over in the corner, swiftly followed by Dale Nash and Sam Kettle.  Two conversions from Nathan Davies swung the lead the home team at 16-6.

As the game settled the teams tested each other and mid way through the half the Tigers extended their lead as veteran Nolan Nicklin touched down. The Sharks picked up their game and levelled the scores with tries from Simon Stonham, a second from Alan Pope and Steffan Davies with a single goal from Sponart.

The Tigers had the final say of the half as Damien Smith picked up his second of the day and the conversion from Ashley Goode made the score 26-20.

The tries continued to come thick and fast in the second half as Dale Nash added to his first half score with another two to increase the Tigers lead.  Conversions from Goode made the gap eighteen points.

The Sharks closed the gap again with a second score from Stonham and Pope

completed his hat trick and with Sponart still kicking well the gap was back to six at 38-32.

The Tigers responded and with three tries of their own from Jamie Jeune, Liam Jefferson and Liam Davies and with the conversion from Goode had a commanding 52-32 lead.

The Sharks never say die attitude shone through as the tries kept coming, this time, with a brace from Chris Davies and a single goal from Tom Sloane wrapped up the scoring at 52-44.

Torfaen Tigers scorers
Tries
Dale Nash (3)
Damien Smith (2)
Sam Kettle
Nolan Nicklin
Jamie Jeune
Liam Jefferson
Liam Davies
Goals
Nathan Davies (2)
Ashley Goode (4)

Dinefwr Sharks scorers
Tries
Simon Stonham (2)
Alan Pope (3)
Steffan Davies
Chris Davies (2)
Goals
Andrew Sponart(5)
Tom Sloane

article by Mark Harris
11 July 2009