Fixture

Last Saturday Cowbridge 1st XV entertained Ynysowen on a pitch that was frosty first thing but by kick off was soft under foot and very playable. Ynysowen officials said that the game could not have been played at their ground and 4 other leagues fixture were cancelled. The match was tense and absorbing and ended in a fine 10-3 win.

Ynysowen had an early chance with a charged down kick but captain Richie Howson was on hand to touch down first. Then a magical moment about 6 minutes in as a kick up field was run back by wing Will Williams but he was caught and threw a pass that outside half Alex Guard scooped off the ground and then set off by dissecting two defenders , rounding another and then kicking ahead and in a race with two defenders the ball hit the post and sat up for Guard to touch down. The posts that helped with the try then denied Guard the converting kick .   5 minutes later Ynysowen opened their account with a penalty. Ynysowen were exerting pressure at scrums and with their forwards pick and go tactic and Cowbridge had to defend for long periods. The back five of David, Anderson , Davies , Howson and Holder were tackling every thing that moved. Cowbridge were lucky when a chip over a maul was caught by Ynysowen's flanker who sprinted down the wing to touch down but the referee ruled him offside. Guard executed a loop move and glided through the defence which set up the last five minutes of Cowbridge exerting pressure on Ynysowen's scrum in their 22 .   Half time 5-3 and great credit to the front row of  Bater, Williams and John ,  there may have been argument about who was conceding the penalties but the resetting of the scrums was draining. 

Into the second half Ynysowen continued their pressure . Craig Boxall came on as replacement hooker and Zac Summerhayes on the wing. Minutes later Dai Poham came into the second row. A huge push in the scrum saw the Ynysowen 8 now going backwards. On 15 minutes as the ball moved left Guard pushed a kick through , their full back couldn't gather it and Summerhayes racing up hacked it on to touch down for an unconverted try. The last substitution saw second row Aaron Bowman entering the fray for the last 15 minutes. Captain fantastic Howson , who in this half popped up everywhere clearing up  kicks , snaffling the ball from the opposition and urging the team on was part of the last attack as Cowbridge swept upfield before the final whistle went.

A very important 10-3 win.

A massive result against the team just beneath who probably had 70% possession. Holder at No 8 brought control to the back of the scrum , scrum half Hywel Williams  sniped and probed and like centres Bennett and Harrison tackled much bigger players. Both teams emptied the tank but it was Cowbridge who took the few chances that came their way.

This Saturday the 1st XV entertain Wattstown at the Athletic Field whilst the Youth are also at home against Mountain Ash. All support would be very welcome.

We would like to thank The Gem for their continued coverage of our games and to wish all readers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Many thanks.  RV/RK