Fixture

As the race for the league title hots up Cowbridge travelled to Old Illtydians last Saturday looking for a bonus point win to put the pressure on leaders Fairwater,and did not disappoint.With several clubs still in contention,on a dry calm afternoon Cowbridge's intentions were clear from the start as the pack,led by a front row of young George Thomas and Craig Boxall and the evergreen Dai Breed,disrupted the first scrum.A break by centre Sam Stevens was continued by wing Harrison Ashby but the ball was knocked on in the drive for the line.Cowbridge were soon back on the attack.A penalty for a high tackle,one of several in the match,was take on by captain Ross Gibbon followed by quick ball from scrum half Tom James and a clever chip from No.10 Gaz Williams-Davies was scooped up by centre Huw Lougher to sprint over under the posts.Full back Josh Thomas added the extras.It was now the home side's turn to exert some pressure and were rewarded with a penalty after 20 minutes.Then followed a passage of relentless Cowbridge pressure.Along with the front row,the back five of Gibbon,James Bennett,Dan Holder,Ellis Reed and Tom Evans constantly battered the Illts defence and following a lovely break Ashby was unlucky not to score.Lougher and Williams-Davies both came close and then from another great line-out take by Gibbon,the back charged to the line for Craig Boxall to crash over,Josh Thomas converting.Still the best was yet to come.A great rip by Gibbon from the kick off released Dan holder down the blind side on the 22.Breaking through the defence with subtle dummy,a perfect pass on the 22 saw Ashby deservedly sprinting over for a fine try converted by Josh Thomas.A couple of minutes later Illts responded with a converted try.Cowbridge however had the final say of the first half as great work by Ellis Reed,James Bennett and George Thomas resulted in a penalty,duly slotted over by Josh Thomas.

Half time Old Illtydians 10 Cowbridge 24

The second half started very much like the first with the Cowbridge pack dominant against much bigger opposition.Following a short lived fracas a penalty took Cowbridge up to the 22 and fine take by Holder and a powerful drive by the pack resulted in captain Gibbon stretching over the line for the bonus point try.An eye-watering bang to impressive flanker Tom Evans brought on James Holder (that was three Holders at the ground - brother Dan,and father Ian on the touchline regularly updating me on how the boys were doing!).Cowbridge continued to batter the Illts defence and came close several times with a few runs by wing Rhydian Williams  but with only another penalty by Josh Thomas to show for all their efforts.It was inevitable that following all their efforts the boys might tire a little towards the end and in the dying minutes the home side scored a couple of consolation tries but Cowbridge almost had the last word as the impressive Ellis Reed came close.

Final Score Old Illtydians 20 Cowbridge 34

Cowbridge will be mightily pleased with this performance.With a mixture of youth and experience  (and still a long list of injuries) the boys played some impressive rugby and to see some of the young forwards flying at the home sides defence was great to watch.Again thanks to all the support at the game - numbers seem to be increasing weekly.

Fairwater lost so the gap at the top closes to five points.However there are several clubs in contention for promotion and it's going to a nail-biting end of the season.

No game this Saturday for obvious reasons so it's Pentyrch at home on 2nd March then no game until 23rd March when we travel to Clwb Rygbi

RV/RK