Caerphilly v Plymouth Albion

Pre-season friendly played home at Virginia Park on Saturday 24th August 2002
Half-time score Caerphilly 22 - Plymouth 8
Referee: Ceri Evans (Cardiff)

Five new west country signings have given a boost to the Castletown side, with their second pre-season friendly against Plymouth producing a confident win. Nathan Bressington - wing, Sam Cox - centre, Nic Rouse - second row, Richard Skuse - prop and Joe El-Abd in the back row join Caerphilly's other summer signings of Scott Heddington - scrum half, Lee Manning - prop and the return of hooker, Christian Ferris from Bridgend.

Newly promoted Plymouth Albion to division 1 of the Zurich league took just 4 minutes to get the first points on the score-board with a penalty from the boot of outside-half, Ross Whinney.

This was soon cancelled out when the home side replied with a mid-field attack created by flanker, Gareth Jones and Chris Ferris paving the way for Number 8, Andrew Williams to off-load to Bressington to score.

Bressington, a Cheltenham product was the top scorer with Bristol Shoguns Under 21's last season who won the Zurich league cup.

Plymouth tried in vain for long periods to turn pressure into points with Caerphilly's line eventually cleared by outside-half, Luke Richards.

Caerphilly added salt to the Plymouth wounds with a try from centre, Roddy Boobyer and full-back Justin Thomas slicing through the visitors defence. Both converted by Luke Richards.

A 35th minute try for Plymouth prop, Wayne Reed crashing through to score, but Luke Richards had the last word for Caerphilly with a penalty before the interval. Halftime score Caerphilly 22 - Plymouth 8.

Plymouth made a spirited come back at the re-start with 2 early tries from full-back, Tom Barlow and centre, James Shannahan sprinting through. Both tries converted by Ross Whinney with the scores all level. A 20 meter penalty by Richards gave Caerphilly some breathing space and put the home side back in front on 55 minutes.

Caerphilly centre, Sam Cox turned the ball over and swiftly passed through the Caerphilly back line for Bressington to hack on and collect over to line for his second try of the day. Caerphilly replacements, Sione Tuipolutu at scrum half and Stuart Thomas at outside- half both looked impressive with Thomas grabbing a late penalty to secure another pre-season win.

The real business starts on Friday 30th against Neath at the Gnoll in the Celtic League, 7.00 PM kick-off. A supporters bus will be available.

Match report by Phil Whitfield, digital photography by Mark Tamplin