Fixture

Last Saturday Cowbridge welcomed old rivals Llantwit Major for the second league match of the season.The day started for many with a Bangers and Mash (and peas for the healthy) lunch in the clubhouse.Over eighty attended including sponsors,committees and many supporters of both clubs.Many thanks to all who attended,to Andy Tucker for the fine lunch and especially to Chris Morris who organised the event wit his usual skill and dedication.

However,the main event (for most) was on the pitch and Cowbridge kicked of on blustery but sunny afternoon and the first ten minutes were full of action.Full back Ben Wright (who has finished a superb season with the bat for Cowbridge Cricket) scored the first points of the match with a well taken penalty after two minutes.It didn't take Llantwit long to take the lead with a pushover try from a lineout only for Cowbridge to regain the lead a couple of minutes later with a second Wright penalty.Cowbridge kept up the pressure many phases particularly up front with hooker Craig Boxall leading the charges.A try seemed on the cards the ball was lost five yards out.Eventually the pressure paid off with a third Wright penalty.It was now Llantwit's turn to attack as Cowbridge were down to fourteen men for ten minutes but the Cowbridge defence held out despite some determined efforts from the visitors to drive over the line.Back to fifteen Cowbridge were back up to the Llantwit line but lost the ball inches out.It was a credit to both teams that the pace of the game never dropped and with minutes to go some thunderous run by No.7 Jack Rees took play up to the 22 and quick passing by half backs Hywel Williams and Tom James released centre Freddie Harris to sprint away under the posts for a fine try with Wright duly converted.

Half Time Cowbridge 16 Llantwit Major 5

More of the same was required by Cowbridge in the second half but despite an initial foray into the Llantwit half,it was Llantwit who were next to score as drive after drive eventually paid dividends with a try after six minutes.As mistakes started to creep into the Cowbridge game the Llantwit pressure continued but some aggressive tackling and a particularly hard hits by Will Williams and Kieren David kept them at bay.Finally Cowbridge managed to work their way back into the Llantwit half.Despite losing the lineout from a penalty,a lose ball in mid-field was driven into the 22.From a solid Cowbridge scrum the ball went blind and wing Harri Thomas waltzed over which Wright converted well.With fifteen minutes to go Llantwit were soon back in the game as their powerful pack again driving over the line for their the try,the conversion bringing them to within six points.This was all too much for the referee who was down for five minutes with cramp but after a full recovery both teams continued to battle it out right up to final whistle.A good Cowbridge scrum,anchored but the front row of Jon Bater,Craig Boxall and Dani John saw Ben Wright clear to the half-way and the final whistle.

Final Score Cowbridge 23 Llantwit Major 17.

This was everything one would expect from a local derby and all credit to both teams for giving everything to the very end.The young (with a few exceptions) Cowbridge team again showed great mettle and maturity and the coaches can very pleased with the second win of the season.

Congratulations to The Youth on a fine win at St.Peters 19-30 and have a great tour to France leaving Thursday.Look after your Dad,Jac 

Next week we take on Sully View at home in the first round of the prestigious WRU Bowl Competition,followed by Tylorstown on the 23rd and then it's a trip to Hirwaun on the 30th

Finally thanks to all those who helped to prepare the pitch for the game,especially the line marking and erecting the fencing (as always thanks to Dai and Robbie Llewellyn) and to Richard Killick for running the line.

RV/RK