Caerphilly v Edinburgh

Half-time: Caerphilly 13 - Edinburgh 52
Celtic league fixture played home at Virginia Park on Saturday 21th September 2002
Attendance 1,000
Referee: Graham Doyle (Ireland), Touch Judges: Lynn Davies (Porth), Gary Davies (Penygraig), Lyndon Young (Bridgend)

Caerphilly were punished heavily and out-gunned by a powerful Edinburgh side, sporting no less than 10 Internationals at Virginia Park. Edinburgh notched up a 52 - 13 lead by half-time with a cricket score looming. Scots full-back, Brendan Laney having a personal points tally of 31 points. 100% kicking record with his 10 shots at goal and a brace of tries with a future to follow for the 21 year old. Caerphilly new boys, Nic Rouse and Joe El-Abd both made their starting debuts against Edinburgh.

The two summer signings from Bath R.F.C., have appeared for short periods in the 3 previous Celtic league games. Nic Rouse replaced Paul Jones at second row and Joe El Abd for the injured Simon Grainger on the flank. Grainger side-lined with a broken thumb, sustained at Ebbw Vale a week earlier. Ex-Cardiff Under 21's, Owain Ashman and Ryan Howells both keeping their positions at full-back and wing respectively. Ashman replacing Justin Thomas and Howells for Taunaholo Taufahema who are both injured.

Edinburgh's opening points, with a penalty from Laney at 2 minutes for Caerphilly off-side, was soon followed by centre, Alistair Dickson strolling through to score. Caerphilly outside-half, Luke Richards pulled back 3 points with a penalty moments later. Caerphilly paid far too much respect to the visitors which cost them 21 points in an 11 minute spell. A brace of tries from winger, Derrick Lee and opposite wing, Chris Patterson going over and all successfully converted by Laney for a 31 - 3 lead. A spirited fight-back by the Castletown team, pressurising the Edinburgh line with 2 tries resulting.

A penalty under the Scots posts saw Richards chip to the corner with Ashman collecting mid-flight. A 5 metre line-out and drive over the try-line saw prop, Richard Skuse last off the turf and awarded the try. Edinburgh increased their lead with a try from scrum-half, Mike Blair having an outstanding game on the day and a brace of converted tries by Laney for a 52 - 13 lead at the interval. Caerphilly dominated the second half much to the delight of their supporters.

The Cheesemen looking more composed made a spirited come back, winning the second period 19 points to 14. Flanker, Gareth Jones grounding the ball at 55 minutes and replacement outside-half, Fionn McCloughlin, Son of ex-Irish International prop, Gerry McCloughlin, converting his own try on 60 minutes to earn the home-side a Celtic league bonus point for 4 tries. Edinburgh's, Joel Brannigan followed with a try and a Craig Smith interception and a canter to the Caerphilly try-line 2 minutes later.

Caerphilly gained a numerical advantage with both Nathan Hines and Martin Leslie awarded yellow cards for professional fouls in the latter minutes of the game. Caerphilly profited from their advantage and Tongan torpedo, Sione Tuipolotu made an angled run to score 2 minutes into injury time.

Ex-All Black captain, and Edinburgh's skipper, Todd Blackadder paid respect to Caerphilly and said.." They have some excellent players here and are capable of producing the goods." "There are crowds of young kids running around here supporting their club. If they are bringing kids into the sport, then they are doing it a service."

"I can see Caerphilly winning games in this competition." Caerphilly head coach, Mark Ring said after the game.."Edinburgh were the best side we've played against and they scored freely even though we knew the way they were going to play the game."

"We were massively out-gunned, stood off them and then suffered the consequences, but I actually congratulated my players on their second-half display."

Caerphilly face Swansea next at St.Helens on the 28th September, 2.30 PM kick-off. Caerphilly go into their fifth Celtic league game and are looking to gain a few more points to add to the couple already earned.

Match report by Phil Whitfield, pictures by Mark Tamplin and John Harris