Regular supporters of home team Cwmbran must have wondered how their team would react to a new coaching set-up and a pack littered with last seasons athletic regulars led by captain Gareth Roberts, playing at stand off for only the second time this season.
From the whistle at the start to the final one the Crows answered the questions with an excellent performance built on an outstanding defence and good team spirit. In blustery conditions the home team were good value for their 3 try to one victory - the visitors only crossing with 5 minutes remaining.
With a quarter of the match gone Cwmbran opened the scoring with the best try of the match, Gareth Roberts caught an upfield kick 60 metres out and set off on a mazey run ghosting past and around at least four defenders to score a brilliant try down the slope. Wing Ben Sainsbury narrowly failed to convert the try.
The front row of Shane James, Jamie Edwards and Ian Hayes gradually got on top in the scrummage encounters, ably backed by locks Simon Wright and James Roberts. From a powerful attacking 5 metre scrummage inside half Shaun Watkins was fed by Cwmbran's best player on the day, Gavin Cook. to score another unconverted try.Despite further attacks by both sides no further points registered on the first half score board.
Oakdale began the second half missing a couple of shots at goal and continued to try to break a staunch Cwmbran defence. Big hits in midfield by centres Liam McSweeney and Drew Mcghee ensured this did not happen as they along breakaways Burcher, James and Cook tackled everything in sight.
With a quarter of the match remaining a break out of defence by full back Kyle Scrivens was taken on by Cwmbran's version of Jamie Roberts, Liam McSweeney, who put speedy wing Ben Sainsbury in for a try. Oakdale finally managed to find a chink in Cwmbran's armour scoring a try wide out with minutes left. Coaches Kirkup and Bailey can be well pleased with the efforts made by their team, which will be boosted in the coming weeks with a number of returning players.
Cwmbran athletic also had an outstanding away win at Gwernyfed, gaining a 21 - 15 victory. The youth narrowly lost 19 - 23 and had 2 players picking up bad injuries - the club wishes them speedy recoveries.Cwmbran's tries were scored by Mike Davies (2), Dai Powell and Lewis Berry kicked 2 conversions.