CHEPSTOW RFC Youth got their season off to the best start possible with a resounding 24-0 victory against local rivals Caldicot.

After winning their three pre-season games against St Joseph’s Cardiff, Pontypool Utd and Pill Harriers, the first half was a close scoring affair. The game was played in poor conditions with rain and a strong wind for most of the match. Chepstow started the stronger and spent the majority of the first half in Caldicot territory, despite playing against the elements.

A try disallowed for a forward pass would have taken Chepstow further clear but the teams changed over at half time with the score at 6-0 through two penalties from Callum Butcher.

The second half started with each side trying to get the upper hand in attack, but it was defence that prevailed, as both teams tackled as if their lives depended on it.

As the half progressed, it was Chepstow that started to dominate and they scored their first try when Josh Adams broke from a five metre scrum to beat the winger and score in the corner.

With fifteen minutes left, Chepstow broke from the midfield, the ball going through a number of hands, before James Hanlon used his pace to score wide on the right. Callum Butcher converted to make it 18-0. The home side continued to press until the end, and were rewarded with two further penalties from Callum Butcher, one kicked from around 45 metres, to secure a comprehensive win over their rivals.

Coach Dean Thomas said: “It was a very pleasing result for a whole host of reasons, to see both tries coming from new players straight from the under 16 set up bodes well for our future but my underlying pleasure was to see the work rate and effort in our defence. At no point did Caldicot even threaten to score because of our excellent organisation and sheer guts and determination. He continued “It bodes well for the season and we look forward to next week’s fixture and the season as a whole”.

Chepstow youth next take on Bedwas Youth with a 2.30pm kick off on Saturday 10th September.