ST Julians Match Report

Date;- 18th April 2009
Venue;- Newport
Fixture;- WRU Division 6 East


ST JULIANS HSOB ( NEWPORT) RFC 18 POINTS BEAUFORT 33 POINTS

Beaufort took maximum points in their penultimate league fixture of the season but their route to victory was not an easy one and the outcome was far from certain until the last quarter . Beaufort encountered problems with home side's jumbo pack and for long periods were starved of any quality possession but they sensed the lack of ambition in their opponents attack and eventually fed on it to bring them five tries.

St Julians relied heavily on their stand off and he had a good afternoon with the boot kicking in all six penalties from eight attempts. He kicked two penalties to give St Julians the lead but the real electricity in this often scrappy encounter came from the Beaufort three quarters . When they were unleashed they looked unstoppable and after twenty minutes they crafted out the first try Geraint Phillips cut the gap in text book fashion to score under the posts and Dylan's Smith conversion edged the team in front .

But two further successful penalties by St Julians before the interval restored the lead to 12 points to 7

A down wind recovery after the break by Beaufort grabbed the lead back with two sparkling tries from centre Mike Vaughan . But again St Julians banged over two further penalties to cut the deficit to 19 points to 18. This was to be their last gasp challenge . For the last quarter Beaufort cut loose with some blistering attacks from their back line and in particular fullback Matthew Burrows who was Beaufort's star player on the day

A superb solo effort from Phillips brought him his second try and he was the beneficiary of another pacey attack for his third and Beaufort 's fifth touchdown of the afternoon to give Beaufort a winning bonus point

Next week Beaufort will play their final match of their league campaign which is a rearranged fixture away against Crickhowell.

BARRIE CASWELL
PRESS OFFICER