Fixture

Last Saturday Cowbridge entertained Penygraig in the third match between the two this season and with a cigarette paper separating the two in the previous games this looked to be another exciting encounter , and so it proved . This was to be the first of two crucial encounters to end the month  . 

The pitch at kick off might have been described in horse racing terms as good to soft , with the weather reasonably mild for the time of year.  Penygraig , on the back of a good win the weekend before in the National Bowl ,  started well and with a big pack and an outside half with a great boot were on the attack in the opening minutes .  10 minutes in and the Penygraig pack had the Cowbridge 8  on the retreat from a  5 metre scrum and their No 8 dabbed down for the first score ,  converted by their outside half.  4 minutes later full back Josh Thomas’s penalty went to the left of the sticks .  After absorbing pressure at the mid point , as often this season , wing Rhydian Williams ran from deep gliding past his opposite number inside the full back and now had No 8 Reuben Tucker in support who took play  into the Penygraig’s 22 before a loose pass brought that attack to a stop. But now down at the right end of the field Cowbridge pressed , the scrum was stronger and Penygraig were forced to slow Cowbridge ball  as they upped the pace. After warning Penygraig’s  Captain about the infringing  , their outside centre was the next to try it and he was sent to the side lines for 10 minutes. Thomas made no mistake with this penalty in front of the posts.   6 minutes to half time and continuing to attack  Cowbridge moved the ball in their own half , centre Tom James sent a long flat pass to Rhydian and he again weaved outside and then inside to Penygraig’s  22  then popped it to outside half Gareth Williams - Davies who was tackled and after recycling Captain Ross Gibbon drove for the line but he was stopped short.  Just before half time the ball was again moved left  and Thomas in the line took  the pass  , straightened his line and burst into Penygraig’s 22 before off loading to Rhydian who had to  break through tacklers to score an outstanding 65 metre try.  Just on half time Tucker and Penygraig’s No 6 were involved in a skirmish as Tucker protested about earlier dubious play and both came to the side lines . Half time the score   stood at  8 – 7 and all to play for . 

In the second half and buoyed by the coaches half time talk to lift the shackles within minutes scrum half Hywel Williams took the play to Penygraig with a series of breaks,  bursting through tackles and keeping Cowbridge on the front foot.  14 minutes in and having been restored to the pitch Reuben Tucker fell heavily on his elbow which caused a nasty injury and fair play to their No 6 he immediately drew the referee’s attention to it . Tucker was replaced by tough tackling flanker Tom Evans.  Tucker has been outstanding in his 3 games this season.  Cowbridge continued running the ball with real purpose and Thomas made the extra man again and Rhydian put his foot to the floor and touched down.  At the midpoint centre Sam Stephens after a strong game in attack and defence was replaced By Huw Lougher and pacy wing Zac Sumerhayes  gave way to Will Williams.  With hooker Craig Boxall throwing in accurately  , he had to against two tall opposing second rows, Gibbon took the clean catch and then it was spun out to Williams Davies to kick across to the left and Rhydian scorched down the wing to beat the cover and score for his hat trick . Thomas added a superb conversion for the touchline.  Williams- Davies made several breaks tying in their back row before their scrum half lost his head in front of the referee and was shown red.  Karl Jones at prop came off and Rhys Price sprinted on .  Cowbridge continued to attack with forwards James Bennett and Dan Holder , as usual , in the thick of everything .  James Darke at second row was a revelation. With minutes to go Penygraig attacked down their right and  just inside the Cowbridge half Gibbon intercepted a pass and set off interpassing with Holder outside him. Although Penygraig reclaimed the ball Rhys Price with a solid tackle dislodged it from one of their players and in a flash it was scooped up and spun wide, Thomas was again the provider sending out a pass to Will Williams who brought it under control and  with a good bit to do got between players and grounded the ball for the vital 4^th try and bonus point win.  Final Score 25 – 7. 

This was a great team effort , every player contributing in attack and defence.  The team won against a strong Penygraig by playing at a pace that was hard to live with and tackling all afternoon long. . Rhydian Williams’ tries lit up the afternoon. But the coaches will have told the players  to celebrate but to remember only a performance like that or better will be good enough this week against Fairwater.  We wish Reuben Tucker well as he recovers , a real shame to lose him .  The Youth made it a double with a superb last minute away win against St Peters ,  winning 14  - 1 5 .  

This Saturday we take on the leaders Fairwater away . All available players are needed . There is due to be a coach from the club, but please keep in contact with the club for details

Many thanks  RK/RV