Fixture

Cowbridge RFC | 1st Team 30 - 6 Pontyclun RFC | 1st Team

Match Report
13 September 2018 / Team News

Terrific performance to win the Derby

After an exciting cricket season colourfully described by JRB,leather on willow is now replaced  by bone on bone. After an excellent bonus point win at Gwernyfed ,  last Saturday’s fixture at home against local rivals Pontyclun seemed like the start of the season proper. The players put on a second terrific performance to win the match with another bonus point win . Some of the tries involved so many players that apologies are made at the start if anyone is left out.

The afternoon was breezy with the pitch looking in prime condition .Within 5 minutes of the start Cowbridge scored through a great line out take by captain Ross Gibbon and a driving maul executed at pace over 20 metres that Pontyclun couldn’t defend quickly enough and No 8 Jack Anderson crashed over. On the 15 minutes mark Pontyclun were in  Cowbridge’s  22 for some minutes with their outside half setting up attacks, but the defence held firm save that a penalty was awarded that gave Pontyclun their first points .  22 minutes in and a try to light up any afternoon as Anderson picked up from the back of the scrum in Cowbridge’s half and fed scrum half Hywel Williams who at pace released right wing Will Williams to power up the touchline and then pass inside to flanker Joe Davies who had covered the ground in support to cross for a great try. 5 minutes later a drive by second row Sam Richards and a pop pass to young prop George Thomas  started a move that involved superb passing through outside half Tom James, centre Ash Thomas and then to left wing Harry Thomas who took off at break neck speed feinted to go inside then back outside to cross from 40 metres out . With supporters hardly believing what they were seeing Cowbridge scored again with the recovery of a kick by centre Sam Stephens and pass to full back Josh Thomas, Gibbon on the charge and then a great line taken by fellow second rower Richards to cover 20 metres before off loading to hooker Craig Boxall and that on to that man again Joe Davies in support. Close to half time Pontyclun blew a clear scoring opportunity through their no 12 but in keeping the attack out the referee awarded a penalty for offside that  brought the score to 20-6 at half time and that without  a conversion. Much credit has to go to the front row of Jon Bater, Boxall and Thomas and back five of Gibbon, Richards and Dan Holder , Anderson and Davies for the platform they created.

Pontyclun started the second half well and pressured the Cowbridge line which resulted in a yellow for Gibbon. But the resulting scrum held steady and Holder at the back used his wiles to clear the danger.  15 minutes into the half and Joe Davies crossed for his hat trick only to be disallowed for a marginal forward pass.  Minutes later injured Will Williams came to the side lines and Tom Harrison came on. Shortly after that centre Stephens  moved the ball to the left and Sam Richards carried it on before releasing Anderson who ran in from 15 metres. Just 5 minutes later Anderson , carrying an injury from earlier in the week ,  left the field and Kieran David raced on. Sam Richards left the field and James Darke took his place and the final replacement was one live wire for another as Adam Dix took over scrum half duties from Hywel Williams.  Dix had a say in the final try as he fed the ball to centre Thomas to weave through the defence for a try and keeping the 100% record in tact the conversion was again missed.  With an injury to their young outside centre the referee sensibly blew up.

 The backs had set the game alight ,the back three of Josh and Harry Thomas and Will Williams causing lots of problems for Pontyclun as they attacked whilst the centre partnership was solid in defence and probing in attack .Tom James at outside half and inside him Hywel Williams took the game to Pontyclun at every opportunity and the replacements were every bit as good .Some of  the interplay between forwards and backs was outstanding . Pontyclun were generous in their praise after the game and we hope their 3 injuries are not serious.On the Cowbridge injury front ,two try scorer Jack Anderson spent 3 hours in A & E last Sunday and was diagnosed with a broken collar bone.Get well soon,Jack.Also it was good to see Rhod Walker down the club following his broken leg in one of the pre-season games and we hope that he and our other injured player Alex Guard make good progress over the coming months.   

 The Youth capped the afternoon by winning against Penarth by 24-0 . Try scorers  Full back Rhidian Williams , Flanker Iestyn Dalton , No 8 Reuben Williams and centre Jac Roberts. There were conversions by Rhidian Willaims and Ioan Cooper.  Jac Roberts , in what looks to be his last game before university ,  was immaculate in defence and attack. Ellis Simon gave a great account of himself first at Flanker and then hooker and overall it was a good team performance.  

 There was a great couple of hours after the game. Sponsors were invited to the club to enjoy our hospitality before the season got under way and we hope they enjoyed themselves.  It was good to see so many ex players and happy birthday to Wyn and Rhod. .  Thanks to the bar staff who had to cope with 3 and 4 deep at the bar initially

This Saturday Cowbridge 1st XV  take on Canton away  in the WRU Bowl . This will be a tough fixture as we saw how well Canton played against us at home last season and they currently top 3 East Central B . The Youth have Penarth again this time away . Both kick off’s are likely to be 14:30 . Cowbridge 1sts  then travel to Treharris on 22nd September and entertain  Penarth at home on 29th.

 

RK/RV

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