As a mark of respect to the terrorist attacks in the US earlier this week, the referee called both teams together before the start of the match to observe a one-minute silence.

This proved to be the referee’s best call of the day!

Penclawdd started the first half with a stiff breeze behind. After 10 minutes, Waun took a line out on the Penclawdd 25 yard line (showing my age) rolled a maul into midfield from which their outside half made a break through the defence, fed a supporting forward who crossed for the first try. Conversion was missed giving a 5-0 lead to Waun. Just 2 minutes later, Waun were caught offside in midfield and Ceri Jones scored 3 points from a penalty kick 20 yards out in front of the posts. W5- P3.

On 32 minutes, Waun repeated a rolling maul from a line out, with the outside half once more breaking well to feed his forwards to his right who finished off a well worked try which was converted to make the scoreline W12 - P3.

Penclawdd stayed in touch as half time approached, Steve Hamm spoiling Waun ball at a scrum leading to a penalty for Penclawdd. Ceri Jones, who had used the wind to good effect during the first half, kicked a good penalty from 33 yards to make the score 12-6 at the break.

Into the second half, the Penclawdd forwards started to drive well and gain good territory. On 55 minutes, deep into the Waun 25, Steve Hamm again spoiled Waun ball on their put in to a scrum. At the re-scrum with our put-in, the ball was released immediately, John Sellick and then Eric Hughes had broken away quickly to support, with Eric eventually carrying two or three Waun forwards plus the ball over the line for a try. Ceri missed a difficult conversion from near the touchline, W12 – P11.

Penclawdd were now playing some good rugby as Waun appeared to tire, one excellent move along the backs was thwarted just 5 yards out when "Rainbow" was forced into touch. The pressure finally told with 2 minutes remaining, a Waun line out in their 25 was well disrupted leading to Waun killing the ball at the ensuing ruck. Ceri Jones kicked the penalty to give Penclawdd their well-deserved victory W12 – P14, much to the pleasure of the vocal Penclawdd support.

The job was done. One minute left, Ben Rouge and John Sellick easily fielded the Waun kick-off, and despite Waun forwards in front of the ball, set the ball up ready to be fed out and cleared. But no! a penalty to Waun ?, Victor Meldrew could not believe it !!! A large white arrow appeared from no-where on the ground and Eddie Butler announced the distance between the mark and the posts was 24.3 metres. Waun kicked the penalty to snatch the game W15 – P14.

The Penclawdd contingent finished the match as it started – with a minute’s silence. "We woz robbed".

P.S. On a serious note, well done to all the boys, the game was a close affair between two well matched sides and we were unlucky not to win. Thanks to Eric and "Smudge" for some excellent organisation, preparation and leadership and to the Waun committee for a warm welcome post-match.