Fixture

Old Penarthians RFC | 1st Team

5 - 40

Cowbridge RFC | 1st Team

Rhys Lakin
Try 1

Match Report

24 March 2018 / Team News

Sparkling second half earns BP at Old Penarthians

Sparkling Second Half as Cowbridge Secure Bonus Point Victory

Cowbridge travelled to Old Penarthians last Saturday looking for a convincing victory to keep up the promotion drive.The home side kicked off on a sunny,breezy afternoon and the first twenty minutes involved a lot of effort from both sides and plenty of penalties but little progress although the dominant Cowbridge scrum augured well with front row Dani John,Craig Boxall and Brad Langenhoven and locks Kieren David and James Anderson proving a real handful.It was from an Old Pens scrum that Cowbridge scored the first try,shoving them off their own ball and quickly releasing the ball to wing Will Williams who left the defence tackling fresh air to score a lovely try,expertly converted by full back Ben Wright.Further powerful Cowbridge scrummaging and a fine kick by fly half Tom James took Cowbridge up the 22.A take and drive by No.8 Ross Gibbon was thwarted by a penalty followed by an extra 10 metres and a totally unnecessary Cowbridge yellow card.It was now the home team's turn to put on the pressure but a big relieving kick from Wright put Cowbridge on the front foot and,back to fifteen on the field were unlucky not to grab second try just befoe half time.Also unlucky was the Old Pens hooker who received a yellow for a high tackle just before the half time whistle.

Half time Old Penarthians 0 Cowbridge 7

Cowbridge secured the ball from the second half kick off and livewire scrum-half Hywel Williiams fed Wright and his giant up and under was caught by David and the pack drove into Old Pens 22.Cowbridge opted for a scrum from a penalty and another scrum from another penalty.Scrum half Williams took the ball on from the base of the scrum and from the ensuing ruck tireless flanker Joe Davies picked and over for a try with Wright adding the extras.Despite all the Cowbridge pressure it was Old Pens who scored next,charging over for a try following several forward drives.Rhys Price replaced Brad in the front row and Pat George came on for an exhausted Leigh Davies.The fresh legs seemed to spur on Cowbridge.With captain Richie Howson leading from the front ,another great scrum released the backs but it was a superb pick up by Dani John that kept up the momentum.A second Old Pens yellow card and Cowbridge took a scrum only to be penalised,but soon regaining the ball from another big up and under from Wright some clever interpassing involving wing Tom Harrison and centres George and Alex Guard sent Price charging up the middle before offloading to Tom James for Cowbridge's third try after 20 minutes,converted again by Wright.It was another 13 minutes before Cowbridge secured the bonus point with Jack Anderson powering away from a lineout with a 30 metre burst down the touchline,passing inside to the supporting Joe Davies who stormed over for his second try followed by Ben Wright's fourth conversion.Dave Breed now joined the fray and the fifth try wasn't long coming as Alex Guard put in an inch perfect chip over the defence for Hywel Williams to touch down in the corner.Amazingly,Wright missed the conversion.With just a couple of minutes left a big break by Joe Davies released veteran wing Will Williams to scramble over for his second try,the scoring completed by Wright's best conversion of the day.From the kick off Craig Boxall charged up the middle of the pitch another break by Joe Davies who passed to Williams but the ball went loose and the final whistle went.

Final Score Old Penarthians 5 Cowbridge 40

A great second half performance by Cowbridge with a high tempo game.The boys were shattered at the end,an indication of the effort put in by the whole squad.The scrummaging was outstanding giving a great platform for the six tries.

Thanks to Old Penarthians for their hospitality after the game and well done to Richie for Howson finally arriving at his surprise 30th party at the Club.

Also congratulations to Will Williams for his selection for Welsh Crawshays last week against Oxford University.Well deserved at this point in his career.Will came on with 30 minutes to go and scored a try.

This weekend it's back to the Six Nations.The Club will be open for both games on Saturday - Wales v Ireland at 14.15 followed by Scotland v England at 16.45.Get there early for a grandstand seat and a great atmosphere.The following week we are home against Canton and on the 10th March home against Treherbert as Wales v Italy is on the Sunday.There will be a bus (numbers permitting) going from the Club to Cardiff for the Italy game - just add your name to the list on the club noticeboard.Likewise for the French match on 17th March.

The Youth are due to play Pontypridd at home this Saturday followed by an away fixture at Merthyr the following Saturday

RV/RK/GT

Players Fixture player info not published.

Gallery