Super Saturday

A Super Saturday if you like sport, as the new rugby and ice hockey seasons kicked/pucked off.

First up was Neath against Newport, and as we all do at the start of the season there was a genuine air of hope and optimism around the ground, and after the past few years with our ownership troubles this year there was genuine hope.  This match was also being played under experimental rule changes, 6 points for a try, 8 points for a penalty try, 2 points for a penalty etc.  Neath started well but then Newport gained the upper hand in scrums etc, but at half time it was 6 all.  Newport came out of the blocks in the second half and looked like they were going to win convincingly, but then we came back, but as soon as we’d done that Newport scored through a penalty try.  It all got a bit farcical towards the end, Neath were awarded a try after what felt like 5 minutes after the act of scoring through a TMO decision, we had two sending offs, substitutes and no one seeming to know who was on and who was off.  Newport won 26-22 in the end, our woes up front continue and if we’re to do anything this year we have to improve the front row.  I’m just glad we’ve got our club back, this season will take place, but next season we have to improve significantly.

A trip down Cardiff then for the new Cardiff Devils season, and their first match against Manchester Storm.  We were dominating the first period and goodness knows how many shots on goal we had, but we couldn’t find a breakthrough and sods law, Manchester went down the other end and took the lead against the run of play.  The second period was almost the opposite of the first, as Manchester were dominating but couldn’t score and we’d equalised.  Manchester were still on top but then as we approached the end of the period, we scored 2 quick goals and Manchester were shell shocked.  A 5-1 win in the end and a good start to the season.

This is the view of Cardiff Bay where the Big Blue Tent is situated.