After Llantwit’s deserved victory on 30th December last Saturday Cowbridge had an away trip to Tylorstown for another tough fixture. Although it was dispiriting that only 15 players made the journey they gave a great account of themselves before going down 31 -16.
Tylorstown’s game plan was to set off a great pace from the outset and within 5 minutes from a line out take and drive they were over the try line but held up . However from the scrum 5 metres out their No 8 ,who proved a thorn in Cowbridge’s side all afternoon, picked up at the back of the scrum to immediately create the extra man and their winger scored down the blind side. The conversion went wide. Full back Ben Wright had a penalty chance on 10 minutes that went wide but 2 minutes later he made amends . Both sides had their moments but on 25 minutes a penalty to Tylorstown resulted in a kick to the corner and then a well drilled lineout move was taken and driven over by their hooker for an unconverted try. Cowbridge back row of Davies, Captain Howson and Holder were working their socks off and great work at the break down by Howson brought a penalty that Wright slotted over. Penalty chances for Cowbridge went wide and a great pop pass by outside half Alex Guard to put centre Ash Thomas clear was wrongly ruled as forward. And as often happens just before half time Tylorstown brought play to the left and then back quickly moved it back to the right and with the extra man they created their outside centre crashed over for a converted try. Giving stones away the front five of Williams, Boxall and John, David and Anderson behind them were superb in keeping the scrum competitive and in open play . Half time 17-6.
In the second half coach Leigh came on to give some reinforcements. Minutes into the half Wright fielded the ball launched a high kick which bounced off a Tylorstown player and centre Thomas up in support gathered it , beat the last defender and scampered over for an unconverted try. Leigh was ordered off for 10 minutes for what was given as a dangerous tackle , it was really influenced by the reaction of the Tylorstown players , the player had not come down on his head or shoulder . Tylorstown launched attacks on the Cowbridge line and despite fantastic defence the referee ordered a penalty try much to the dismay of the coaches. When Leigh came back on he was soon back in the action with an interception and then a deft kick ahead as hamstrings tightened that took Cowbridge into the opposing 22m. Rhys Price showed remarkable versatility starting on the wing, then moving into his accustomed hooker positon and doing a great job in both positions. To show their spirt with 10 minutes to go a return run over 35 metres by Adam Dix on the wing was taken on by Howson and then finally flanker Joe Davies to score an excellent try . Score 24-16. But Tylorstown had one last catch and drive and with the final play went over for a converted try to distort the scoreline at 31-16. Whilst not wanting to criticise the referee some of his decisions cost Cowbridge dear but Tylorstown fully deserved their win and now they top the league. With two teams and plenty in their first team squad they have strong set up
It was clear that with ball in hand, scrum half Hywel Williams and centres Thomas and Harrison could beat their opposite numbers. Wright counter attacked very well too but we didn’t really see enough of what they could do . Dix on the wing was brimming with attacking intent . Mention should be made of outside half Alex Guard’s tackling of many of their forwards . Tylorstwon’s subs were arguably in some instances better than those who started. One of them in the back row was a real handful but on one of his exocet charges Howson tackled him perfectly,a factor that he acknowledged with a hand up to the Captain. With effort like this we can’t let things slip now
This Saturday we have a vitally important match versus Hirwaun at home in which we are looking for all available players to come down. The Youth are also at home to Mountain Ash (or maybe St.Peters ) Both games Kick Off at 2.30pm Your support has never been more important please come down and have pint afterwards in the club to warm up
RK/RV
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