photo by Andrew Smith

Winger Gareth Dare, was the hero of this match, as his pair of tries at the death was enough to edge this tough local derby at Glan-yr-Afon Park.

Even though Blackwood came into this game undefeated, the Tigers showed they meant business as their big side started strongly.  They opened the scores with a Matthew Davies try, which Greg Jones converted.  This added to the fact that the rain was hammering down, made for the fact that the Bulldogs were in for their hardest game of the season.

But they responded well, and following on a fiesty spell, when a couple of yellow cards were handed out, Grenville Jones broke through to score.  Paul Emmanuelli converted.  Blackwood took the lead for the 1st time, when Simon Skinner found

the room to beat the Torfaen cover,  Emmanuelli converted and a tight first half ended 12-6.

At this time both sets of supporters were spoilt for choice having this and the South Africa vs Wales game in the club house to choose from.

The Tigers came right back into it, as the second half began, and Darryl Carter made the most of defensive indecision, to touch down.  The game of nip and tuck continued when Gareth Price side stepped a couple of defenders to score under the posts.  Emmanuelli converted.

The game then swung Torfaens way, as tries by Dave Horseman and Jessie Farthing, one converted by Jones, put the Tigers ahead.

With time ticking away, the Bulldogs threw everything at the visitors and it paid off with the pair of Dare tries. 

Blackwood held on, to the end, for a 26-20 victory.  Both teams know that they should both be in the hunt come play off time.

article by Tony Evans
15 June 2008