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Beaufort Vs Cefn Forest

Date :- 15th May 2010

Venue:- Nantyglo Leisure Centre

Fixture:- WRU League Division 6 East

BEAUFORT RFC 46 POINTS CEFN FFOREST RFC 7 POINTS

Beaufort brought their season to an end with a thumping victory against their closet league rivals . They already had the league title in the bag when Cefn Fforest failed to gain a bonus point last week against Cwm It was a decisive win and sweet revenge for the championship winners against the only league team to beat them this season

The match though proved to be a one sided affair. Cefn Fforest displayed their traditional combative edge but they lacked continuity and were guilty for not releasing what looked like a useful back line. Beaufort had more ambition in their game although on occasions there was a careless inaccuracy in their play . But it was not exposed and they did score six tries crafted from an impressive line out and a solid scrum .

Dylan Smith kicked them into a 6 point lead through two penalties in the first ten minutes before Beaufort were able to crack open the visitors defence . Mike Vaughan finished off a passage of play following a freakish bounce and from a good line out and drive No 8 Paul Francis made Beaufort second touch down for an 18 point lead without reply. . Cefn Fforest then had their best period in the latter stages of the first half but despite having enough possession from a bigger pack they failed to dent the Beaufort defence.

After the break the visitors struggled for parity in the set pieces and eventually called for uncontested scrums. It made little difference as a determined Beaufort cut loose to finish off their opponents . Dan Purchase got a third try and replacement flanker Andrew Morgan crashed his way over for a fourth try . Second row Jack Dobbs won the foot race over the last thirty meters to score under the posts for his first try for the club. Centre Mike Vaughan finished off Beaufort's try tally with his seventeenth try of the season which with Smith 16 point haul from his boot took the scoreline beyond the 40 point barrier. There was though some consolation for Cefn Fforest. All too late they used they unleashed a counterattack and slick handling and a deceptively quick winger outstripped the Beaufort cover to score under the post right at the end of the encounter

Beaufort star player Michael West.

After the match the Division 6 East trophy was presented to Beaufort's captain Dylan Smith by Mr Ken Hewett Vice Chairman of the WRU

Beaufort total points tally for the league and friendlies this season was 695 points against 256 points conceded scoring 95 tries from 25 matches. Centre Mike Vaughan was the top try scorer with 17 tries and Dylan Smith clocked up 176 points with the boot

BARRIE CASWELL

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Cefn Forest No Show

The Division 6 East championship decider between Beaufort and Cefn Fforest last weekend proved to be a non starter when Cefn Fforest cried off less than an hour before the kick off. This was the third time this season Beaufort had suffered the fate of a last minute league fixture cancellation at home . Club officials were naturally very disappointed and left to explain to sponsors, guests and loyal supporters that their closest rivals had been unable to raise a team for the big match. Fitting in a game before the season ends now provides Beaufort with a headache. Cefn Fforest are already committed to playing one more fixture against Cwm next Saturday and even if the situation at their club improves Beaufort will have the additonal problem of finding a venue now that the cricket season is underway and takes priority over ground allocation

BARRIE CASWELL

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Beaufort Vs Cwm

Date: 28th April 2010

Venue:- Beaufort

Fixture:- WRU Divs ion 6 East

BEAUFORT RFC 36 POINTS CWM RFC 14 POINTS

Beaufort's mid week fixture against Cwm earned them maximum points from 6 tries against one conceded . They took their chances in regal style but did suffer a crisis in the second quarter when they were heavily penalised.

After 5 minutes, plenty of pace and slick handling released centre Mike Vaughan for the first of his two tries . Prop Justin Roberts got the next following a good line out take and drive. But Cwm grabbed one back with their pick up and drive game crafted from a tapped penalty

Then the sublime attacking skills of Michael White, playing in the No. 15 shirt, produced the best try of the match. Centres Phillips and Vaughan made enough space for him to step his way around the cover defence for a 50 meter try under the sticks . Darrel Roper converted for a 17 point to 5 lead at the end of the first quarter

But then a series of infringements mostly at the breakdown cost the home side dearly. Cwm took every chance to kick at goal and succeeded with 3 attempts to narrow the gap to within 3 points. They clearly had the league leaders rattled and it was not until the second half that they got themselves back together.

Afterwards a whole barrage of attacks at pace from the host side finally silenced their opponents Three quarters Vaughan, Kyle Purnell and Matthew Burrows taking the final passes to score three further tries with Roper and White converting one apiece to make it a comfortable win

Beaufort star man was Michael White

Under 12's Vs Machen

Date 25th April 2010

Venue :- Beaufort

BEAUFORT UNDER 12S RFC 22 POINTS MACHEN UNDER 12S RFC 48

Beaufort youngsters ended the season with a loss but can take credit from their final performance against an outfit that had taken the scalp of some quality teams during the year . Machen did outscore them 8 tries to 4 after leading at half time 38 points to 5. But after the interval the home side fought back with Ieuan Jones , Tom Williams , Tom Morgan and Joel Harris getting touchdowns. Chelsea Preece , the second girl to represent the club had a fine match and notched over a conversion . Beaufort coaches were delighted with their first years showing and now with an established squad of 25 players look forward to next season .On Saturday they hold their annual awards evening at the clubhouse.

BARRIE CASWELL

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Beaufort Vs Aberbeeg

Date:- 24th April 2010

Venue:- Beaufort

Fixture:- WRU Division 6 East

BEAUFORT RFC 71 POINTS ABERBEEG RFC 6 POINTS

Struggling Aberbeeg plagued with injuries and dwindling player numbers at the end of their season, were savaged by top of the table Beaufort still smarting from lasts weeks home draw against Trefil. Despite being understrength, to their great credit Aberbeeg fulfilled the fixture but their hosts sunk them in ruthless fashion with a blitz of 11 tries in all. There appeared to be no safe haven for the visitors as their hosts attacked remorselessly from all corners of the pitch . Nine Beaufort players shared the spoils from the try haul making it the highest score recorded by Beaufort this season

Beaufort centres Mike Vaughan and Geraint Phillips were never far from the action but Beaufort's star man on the day was fullback Kyle Purnell

The chase for the league title is still in the balance . Beaufort have two matches to play A mid week home encounter against Cwm and Saturday's last game against closest rivals Cefn Fforest to be played at Cae Canol

BARRIE CASWELL

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Beaufort Vs Trefil

Date:- 17th April 2009

Venue;- Beaufort

Fixture:- WRU Division East 6

BEAUFORT RFC 21 POINTS TREFIL RFC 21 POINTS

It was thrilling end to this rearranged league fixture between these two arch rivals. Having beaten Trefil away earlier in the season Beaufort looked favourites to secure a double and keep alive their challenge for the league title. It certainly looked that way for three quarters of the match but the home side lost its way in the last quarter . Trefil finished the game in a flourish and might have snatched what seemed an improbable win.

From the kick off Beaufort had Trefil frantically defending their line but a stray pass allowed the visitors to counterattack and from the breakdown Trefil kicked the first of their three first half penalties. Beaufort got one of their own before they scored their first try. Stuart Francis took a clean catch at the line out and from 20 metres Beaufort drove for the line with Ben Harding emerging from a rampant pack to make the touch down .

The second try again came from good line out work . This time scrum half Matthew Burrows was the beneficiary which allowed him to slip his markers to race through for the next score for Dylan Smith to improve with the conversion . Unfortunately, Burrows who was having a fine match had to leave the field through injury as did flanker Jason Taylor which was the start of Beaufort misfortunes

Despite playing mostly on the defensive Trefil refused to buckle under the pressure and managed to keep a fingertip control on the scoreline . They took every opportunity to kick for goal and at half time were chasing a lead of 18 points to 9.

Beaufort restarted the second well and with Smith kicking a drop goal Beaufort stretched this lead further. Then from a tapped penalty Michael White out paced the cover defence to score what seemed to be a good try only for the referee to declare the centre had stepped over the dead ball line. From then on in things started to unravel for the home side . They found themselves heavily penalised giving away possession and surrendering good field position . The visitors also made a tactical change by bringing on veteran and club coach Medlicott and he gave his team a much needed lift to redress Beaufort's dominance

Their cause was helped further within the last quarter when a Beaufort player was given a yellow card, the only one in the match . Trefil now saw a window of opportunity and they made Beaufort pay dearly. A series of penalties awarded by the referrer kept Beaufort desperately defending their territory. Eventually superiority in numbers gave Trefil the breakthrough with a well worked try. . They followed it up with another in a pulsating last five minutes of play as Beaufort failed to rally and keep cool heads. The conversion drew the score level just before the final whistle to end an enthralling encounter.

Beaufort will not be happy with the way they ended this match. They had the lion share of possession and should have nailed victory in the first half . Trefil will be content with a draw and in knowledge they have dented Beaufort chances of the league title.

Beaufort star man on the day was Stuart Francis with coach Medlicott getting the honours for Trefil

Next week Beaufort are at home to Aberbeeg

Famous D Roper Try

Beaufort Vs Cefn Forest

Date :- 3rd April 2010

Venue:- Cefn Fforest

Fixture:WRU League Division 6 East

CEFN FFOREST RFC 15 POINTS BEAUFORT RFC 10 POINTS

Beaufort suffered their first league defeat of the season and looked a team that had not played for a month. Foul weather and the heavy ground were mitigating against playing any sort of attacking rugby. The home side coped much better, kept to a simple game plan and were worthy winners. They kicked with wisdom and played on Beaufort 's errors of which there were many.

The home team got off to a flying start. Beaufort failed to clear their lines and Cefn Fforest took advantage to drive to the line and score under the posts. Beaufort were still seeking to find their rhythm to unlock the home side defence when they offended again at the breakdown This time the penalty was within easy kicking distance that gave the host team a lead of ten unanswered points on halftime.

With the weather worsening there was a wearying inevitability about the outcome of the contest. Beaufort found themselves in unfamiliar territory having to tailor their game to meet with these conditions . This they struggled to do and with with a slippery ball proving a difficult opponent, it cruelly exposed them just short of the hour. A speculative kick out of defence proved uncontrollable for the Beaufort fullback and Cefn Fforest wing race in to dribble the ball to the line for an improbable try

Chasing a 15 point deficit the visitors tried to get something out of the match . But their opponents high box kicks in the conditions were giving them problems and by contrast Beaufort's kicking game was much less effective. But there were some decent attempts from centres Michael White and Michael Vaughan to redress matters but the support just couldn't nail the chances . Substitute forward Stuart Francis made a marked impression when he came on and in the last quarter of play Cefn Fforest were under the cosh.

Having infringed too many times on their line the referee awarded Beaufort a penalty try which Dylan Smith converted . With seconds left on the game clock the home side infringed again and Smith kicked the penalty for a consolation losing bonus point

It was a disappointing result for Beaufort against a much more experienced home side that were completely focused on a game plan that suited the conditions. Stuart Francis had a good match but Beaufort's star man on the day was Matthew Burrows for an outstanding performance at fullback and later at scrum half

Beaufort U12's Vs Caerphilly

BEAUFORT UNDER TWELVES RFC 0 CAERPHILLY UNDER TWELVES RFC 52

Beaufort youngsters have yet to notch up their first win. In fairness they came up against a well organised outfit that had seven Dragon players in their line up and it showed in a classy performance, however, the team spirit in the Beaufort camp after just five matches is excellent . There was no doubting the committment and effort from their first year together in this match and there were some impressive performance from individuals This week Daffyd Watkins stood out. What they have to achieve is to play more as a team but the coaches are confident this is not too far away

Beaufort Under 12's Vs Croesyceliog

Beaufort Under 12s 0 - Croesyceiliog Under 12s 39

Newly formed Beaufort youngsters are still searching for their first win and lost heavily against the best outfit they have so far encountered .Croesceiliog proved to be a well drilled outfit and did the damage in the first half which they dominated.

However, Beaufort had a much better second half and despite the limited games they have to date played the signs are there that they are beginning to gel together and play more as a team . Daffyd Watkins had a storming match for the home side while Ieaun Jones had a most promising debut.

Beaufort Under 12's

BEAUFORT RFC UNDER TWELVES

From a fledgling beginning Beaufort under Twelve section has started to so show much promise . With kit and equipment funded by a Communities First Grant the under twelves are developing under the watch full eyes of club stalwarts Robert Hale and Stuart Nash, level 2 and I rugby coaches and in first aid.

Since getting together in September of last year the squad has strengthened in size to 22 players. Many had never played rugby before but have taken on the established outfits of Abercynon, Beddwas, Nelson and last weekend Newbridge. . They lost the encounter 39 points to 7 . But there were some eye catching performances from Joel Harries and Tom Jones who scored Beaufort's only try which Ryan Hale converted. Participating in the match was Chelsea Preece who became the first girl in the history of Beaufort RFC to appear in a Beaufort team. The squad trains on Wednesdays 5.30 pm to 7.00pm at the Beaufort RFC ground. A warm welcome will be offered to all newcomers.

Beaufort Vs Markham

Date : 27th February 2010

Venue:- Markham

Fixture :- WRU Division 6 East

MARKHAM RFC 15 POINTS BEAUFORT RFC 49 POINTS

Beaufort notched up their eleventh league win of the season to keep them in top spot and undefeated . Markham were unable to match the sheer exuberance and fast flowing nature of the visitors who ran in six well orchestrated tries . They were in control for most of the match keeping Markham perpetually on the brink of the last tackle unable to achieve any momentum for long periods.

The damage was done in the set piece and as a result of a driving scrum flanker Andrew Morgan had plenty of room to keep the opposition defence interested all afternoon. He made two touchdowns in the first half with Dylan Smith kicking a penalty, two conversions and a drop goal for a comfortable 21 point to 3 lead at the interval.

Following the break dogged determination by the host team got them a try after a loose kick allowed them superiority in numbers out wide . Beaufort's response was immediate and clinical. Slick handling at pace out flanked their opponents and lock Stuart Francis having a superb match took the final pass to drive over for Beaufort' s third try. Two more followed in a destructive ten minute spell for the bonus point. Centre Mike Vaughan tore through the defence for the forth try and a lightening break from the base of the scrum by Matthew Burrows made it five taking the score beyond the forty point barrier

Markham could well have folded but they showed great spirit and surprised Beaufort with a late second try . But Beaufort had the final say when Morgan ran thirty metres unchallenged to bag the sixth for his hat trick.

It was a solid performance from the league leaders. Dylan Smith kicked 19 points and the back row trio of Andy Hill, Dan Purchase and Andrew Morgan were quite outstanding with Morgan getting the nod as Beaufort's star man on the day

Next week Beaufort are home to Aberbeeg RFC

BARRIE CASWELL

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Beaufort Vs Abertysswg

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DATE:- 20th February 2010

VENUE:- Abertysswg FIXTURE:- WU Division 6 East ABERTYSSWG RFC 9 POINTS BEAUFORT RFC 11 POINTS This was an exciting league encounter full of commitment and electricity the outcome of which was in doubt until the dying moments of the match . Beaten earlier in the season Abertysswg were determined to get their revenge in the return fixture and nearly succeeded . With ten minutes left they wiped out a first half deficit of 8 points to grab the lead only to lose it again within minutes of the end Beaufort started well enough . Territorially they were in control but met an impressive defence which was the best they had encountered all season . Beaufort were able to set up a solid attacking platform but their ploy to outflank the defence by long passes foundered as passes were either spilled or missed the target altogether to roll harmlessly into touch After thirty minutes Dylan Smith kicked a penalty to edge Beaufort into the lead and before the interval centre Michael White broke the mid field deadlock to muscle his way over courtesy of a driving scrum. It was the only try of the match. Abertysswg remained undaunted and in the third quarter had their best period of play . Their most portent weapon was their place kicker who made Beaufort pay for their indiscretions. He kicked three tricky penalties superbly from wide angles, narrowly missing a fourth. Buoyed up and urged on by a very vocal home crowd Abertysswg third penalty earned them the lead . But it proved to be the wake up call Beaufort needed and they showed great test of character to retrieve the situation. Under pressure the home side infringed and Smith slotted over his second penalty to restore the lead. With the end in sight Beaufort kept control and an impression touchline drive of over thirty metres brought them to the try line. It took an herculean effort from the home side pack to keep Beaufort from scoring but the damage was done and they failed to escape the stranglehold. Beaufort then ran the game clock down to enjoy a huge sigh of relief at the final whistle. Beaufort's Lee Roper had a good match on the wing as did second row Mark Heasley but the team's star player on the day who caught eye was hooker Michael West having put in his best performance of the season BARRIE CASWELL PRESS OFFICER

Beaufort Under 12's vs Bedwas

BEAUFORT RFC UNDER 12S 22 POINTS BEDWAS RFC 26 POINTS

Beaufort under 12s distinguished themselves without winning by a spirited performance that saw them lose only their second match together as a unit in the last quarter of play. Both teams scored four tries apiece in a thrilling encounter but Bedwas edged victory with a better conversion count. Forward Thomas Jones bagged two tries and popped over a conversion with Joel Harris and Thomas Williams getting a try apiece . It was though a fine team effort with captain Daffydd Watkins leading the team by example . Fellow forwards Williams , Smith, Watkins, Barnes and backs Pool, Nash , Bayliss , Powell and Jukes were all prominent in the exchanges.

BARRIE CASWELL

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Beaufot Vs Garndiffaith

DATE:- 6TH February 2010 VENUE: GARNDIFFAITH FIXTURE:- FRIENDLY GARNDIFFAITH (SECONDS) RFC 7 POINTS BEAUFORT RFC 30 POINTS Beaufort raced in six tries in this friendly encounter with just one conceded. Wing Scott Griffiths got the visitors off to a good start with an early try and a further three came before halftime from flanker Jason Taylor , fullback Matthew Burrows and second row Stuart Francis. Garndiffaith got one back but trailed 20 points to 7 at the break. Beaufort made a few positional changes and brought on all their replacements after the interval and scored two more tries . Centre Mike White made his usual contribution in the exchanges and was rewarded with a fifth touchdown and replacement wing Simon Rees wrapped up a satisfying afternoon for the visitors with the last try Having given one of his best performances of the season Stuart Francis deservedly was deemed Beaufort's star player on the day BARRIE CASWELL PRESS OFFICER

Beaufort Vs Blaenavon Forgeside

Date:- 30th January 2009 Venue Beaufort Fixture:- WRU League Division 6 ( East ) BEAUFORT RFC 44 POINTS BLAENAVON FORGESIDE RFC 7 POINTS Beaufort overwhelmed Forgeside in this league encounter in an eight try bonanza with talisman Paul Francis bagging four. It was though a slow start by the home side but after ten minutes of indifferent play they started to get some urgency into the exchanges. They then crushed the opposition up front establishing a sold platform to launch some blistering attacks. Second row Ben Harding got the first try in a repeat performance of his first try last week. Prop Lee Morgan drove over for a second and scrum half John Davies got a third, all courtesy of a dominant pack showing commitment and real intensity. By half time Beaufort had sailed into a 17 points lead and looked good for a lot more. Sadly Forgeside could give little in return. Their fullback did threaten occasionally and might have caused real problems to the home side by his speed and deceptive running had he been involved more . However, in general they did not distinguish themselves but did steal a try mid way into the second half when they intercepted a pass to scamper in at the posts. By this time Beaufort had the match won from a further 2 tries to secure a bonus point . Paul Francis got the first of these but the second was a gem . Matthew Burrows superb forty yard break from the base of the scrum allowed his flanker , the omnipresent Dan Purchase , to take a final pass to dash in under the posts. Thereafter, it became the Paul Francis show as he rounded things off with three further tries taking the score, with Dylan Smith's conversions over the forty point mark. This was a good performance by the home team that needed much match practice to keep them top of the league to maintain the points differential from their closest rivals. For his dual contribution first at fullback and then later as a replacement scrumhalf Matthew Burrows edged the Beaufort star player award Beaufort are hoping for a game this coming weekend with an early cut off because of the start of Six Nation Internationals

Beaufort Vs Aberbargoed

Date :- 23rd January 2010 Venue Aberbargoed Fixture:- WRU Division 6 ( East) ABERBARGOED 7 POINTS BEAUORT RFC 18 POINTS Before the kick off players ,officials and supporters from both sides stood in silence for one minute as a mark of respect for Beaufort's former player John O' Leary who had died suddenly at his Newcastle home over Xmas holiday. John who was 46 and had played prop for the Club during the nineties before moving up north Beaufort got off to the best possible start scoring a try minutes after the kick off. They got themselves into good field position and from a scrummage Paul Francis took the ball within metres of the line to set up a move for lock Ben Harding who burst through the defence for the touch down. . Sadly, nothing resembling this momentum surfaced again until late in the first half. Beaufort tried to force the game and end it in a flourish but too many infringements and series of penalties sustained by both sides made play less than inspiring. Much of the problem seem to lay at the breakdown which was a mess throughout and something of a lottery Beaufort did get themselves back together and in some sort of shape to score a second try which was the best of the contest With the advantage of an Aberbargoed player in the sin bin Hooker Stuart Lee started the movement which allowed centre Michael White to make a trade mark run down the right flank. His wing man Kyle Pernell took a perfect pass to race in over the line. . Dylan Smith added the conversion for a half time lead of 12 points without reply. Smith kicked a penalty after the break before a Beaufort player had a yellow card With superiority in numbers Aberbargoed then had their best period but lacked the incisiveness to breach a solid Beaufort defence. When a score did come it was at the opposite end of the field from Smith's boot which stretched the Beaufort lead to 18 points. However, Aberbargoed made strident efforts in a last gasp attempt to get on the score sheet . In injury time they stole a try when Beaufort fumbled the ball at the base of a five metre scrum which was improved by the conversion. Beaufort star man on the day was flanker Daniel Purchase. Next week Beaufort play hosts to Blaenavon Forgeside for another league encounter. BARRIE CASWELL PRESS OFFICER.

Beaufort Vs Bethesda

Date :- 12th December 2009

Venue Beaufort

Fixture:- Third Round SWALEC Bowl

BEAUFORT RFC 13 POINTS BETHESDA RFC 17 POINTS

Beaufort's hope of a fourth round tie in the SWALEC bowl came to an abrupt end when they were defeated by the North Walian second division opponents in the dying moments of play. Bethesda top of their league table got off to the better start kicking an early penalty and served notice that they were not going to surrender their unbeaten playing record easily.

Beaufort then settled down and after a good passage of play got the first try. Second row Ben Harding's take at the line out secured the attacking platform for his three quarters to strike and centre Geraint Phillips burst through to touch down under the posts. Dylan Smith kicked the easiest of conversions and before half time kicked two penalties from three attempts to put the home side into a comfortable lead of 13 points to 3.

But the lead did not sit easy with Beaufort, particularly in the second half . In a disastrous ten minute spell they allowed the visitors to come back into the match. They failed to kick with distance out of their own heartland and made a couple of unforced errors to allow Bethesda to take up the initiative. Eventually, the opposition found the opening they were working hard to achieve and ran in a well executed try from 30 metres. The conversion brought them within 3 points of the lead

However, Beaufort did rally and superiority in numbers due to a yellow card against Bethesda led to a thrilling last quarter. Beaufort kicked the corners to keep the game tight and with a slender lead looked good to see the match out But less than 6 minutes left on the game clock they unwisely worked the ball wide and lost control in mid field . Bethesda broke away to stun Beaufort with a late try scored under the sticks. It was a sucker blow from where there was no return

Tactically this was not one of Beaufort's best displays. They occasionally looked dangerous in attack but were called upon to defend all too often because of poor options and sloppy handling . Flanker Paul Francis did catch the eye and had a fine match but Beaufort's star performer on the day was second row Ben Harding

Next week Beaufort return to league duty with a an away game at Markham

BARRIE CASWELL

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