Fixture

 

Cowbridge welcomed Caerau Ely to The Athletic Field last Saturday looking to continue with winning ways in the league.It only took five minutes to register the first try of the game.Following an impressive scrum and good lineout work by Dan Holder wing Fraser McGhan burst through the visitors defence,passing on to Holder who timed his pass perfectly to Jack Anderson to sprint over the line.For the next thirty minutes it was very much even with the Cowbridge front row of Jon Bater,Craig Boxall and Dani John giving the opposition a hard time.Despite some cheap shots by the visitors,unfortunately missed by the Ref.,both sides attempted to run the ball at every opportunity and scrum half Hywel Williams unlucky not to score a couple of times.However with just minutes to go in the first have,another tremendous Cowbridge scrum resulted in Dan Holder picking up at the base for a second Cowbridge try,converted by Ben Wright.With added time being played a driving run by Joe Davies took Cowbridge into the 22 but despite losing the ball into touch a drive by Jon Bater from the lineout and a break by fly-half Tom James released Ben Wright and with a sublime dummy split the Caerau defence to touch down under the posts,also converting the try.

 

 

Despite not scoring in the first half,at times the visitors often looked dangerous in attack and it was only some ferocious defence by Cowbridge,with forwards James Bennett and Aaron Bowman leading the way that kept them at bay.When it seemed danger had been averted with powerful drives upfield by Holder and Anderson,a quickly taken penalty to the Caerau right wing resulted in a scything run from the half-way for a fine individual try.

Coaches Dan Williams and Leigh Davies decided it was time for some changes,bringing on Richie Howsen,Sam Richards ,Brad Langenhoven and Adam Dix.It was also good to see Alex Guard back on the field after recovering from a hand injury.It wasn't long before another solid Cowbridge scrum and some lightning back play resulted in Joe Davies over for the bonus point try.Within minutes Cowbridge were back on the attack and a great rip from a maul by Sam Richards and scintillating passing by the back released centre Pat George to score a fifth Cowbridge try.29-5.To their credit Caerau continued to attack and another powerful run by their winger produced a second try,followed by a yellow card along with one for Cowbridge for a minor disagreement!This seemed to spur Caerau on and for the next five minutes pressurised the Cowbridgeline but staunch defence and finally a great 40 metre clearance by  Guard from another powerful Cowbridge scrum put Cowbridge back on the front foot.With the final whistle looming a run and kick ahead by wing Zac Summerhayes took Cowbridge into the 22.Caerau attempted a quick lineout without success and received their second yellow card for what appeared to be an attempt to remove the leg from one of the Cowbridge pack.Passive scrums resulted and Cowbridge were awarded a penalty in the dying seconds.Deciding to run it,a great drive by the pack gave Brad Langenhoven a well deserved try,converted bt Wright.

 

 

An excellent result for the boys with six quality tries and fierce tackling throughout.With Treherbert losing to Llantwit (thanks) we are now top.The challenge now is to stay there and with the spirit in this young side there is no reason why we shouldn't be challenging for promotion at the end of the season.This Saturday we travel to Tonyrefail and the following Saturday we are home against Old Penarthians

RV/RK