Fixture

After a 5 week gap , and a superb 6 Nations by Wales , Cowbridge 1^st XV were back in league action away to CR Cymry Caerdydd at Pontcanna Fields. Yet again Clwb Rygby belied their position towards the bottom end of the table with a strong showing demonstrating there are no easy games in this league.

Early pressure by Cowbridge put Clwb on the back foot but they defended well and their scrum proved a handful for the Cowbridge front row of Dai Breed , Craig Boxall and the returning Jon Bater . Clwb were first on the score board as their outside half put over a penalty but 3 minutes later on the 17 minute mark , after a take in the line out by second row and Captain Ross Gibbon , the ball moved in field and No 8 James Bennett took a great line to drive up field , prop Bater took it on to within 5 metres of the Clwb try line. On 29 minutes Clwb had another penalty for offside that fortunately went wide. But on 33 minutes Cowbridge moved the ball through the hands, recycled possession when play broke down , and centre Tom James crashed over to the right of the posts. Full back Josh Thomas put over the conversion . Coming up to half time outside half Gareth Williams Davies kicked a penalty into touch deep in Clwb territory . With Cowbridge in Clwb’s half their hooker was shown a yellow for illegal play but the penalty by Thomas went wide. Half time score line of 3-7

Into the second half and a swap saw Tom James move to scrum half and Hywel Williams to centre. Minutes in and a great attack set up by Williams – Davies moved onto Dan Holder who was held up on the line. But Clwb had infringed and Josh Thomas put over the penalty . On the 8 minute mark a great scrum by Cowbridge pushed Clwb back and though Clwb’s scrum remained strong they didn’t dominate as in the first half. On 12 mins an attack up the right following a Hywel Williams break was taken on by Bennett in support to score . Thomas added the extras to make it 3- 17 . Cowbridge lost Holder for 10 mins when the referee ruled that in defending a lineout drive he had not come through the gate . The penalty looked harsh and from the resulting scrum Clwb moved the ball to the right and their winger dived over for an unconverted try . On 29 mins Clwb’s outside half put over a good penalty from 35 metres to close the gap to 11- 17. Taking a penalty kick to touch Gibbon took another great lineout take but the drive was held up over the line . Clwb from a penalty took the lineout but as they drove forward superb work by Holder manged to snaffle it back on Cowbridge side . Will Williams came on for wing Zac Summerhayes . Coming towards normal full time from a scrum Cowbridge put the ball through hands and Hywel Williams popped it to Gibbon to drive over for a much needed try. Playing in injury time Cowbridge had the last word with a try through many hands started by wing Rhydian Williams onto Bennett , centre Sam Stephens , hooker Boxall and Gibbon before Bennett crashed through for his 2^nd try and the crucial bonus point .

Although the team was rusty after such a long lay off there were some very good individual performances, Ross Gibbon was imperious in the line out and Boxall’s throwing in excellent. No 8 James Bennett has been in great form since coming back from injury and flanker Tom Evans added driving play to his usual tackling and Dan Holder was in the middle of everything. Gareth Williams –Davies mixed things up well behind , well served by Hywel Williams and in the second half by Tom James. Sam Stephens had some strong runs at centre. Clwb Rygby had some excellent players of their own with their industrious flankers 6 and 7 , No 4 jumper and their outside half all influential and their right wing a strong runner. A good game cleanly fought.

This week the 1^st XV entertain Tylorstown at home and the following week again play them away. All support is much needed and welcomed

RK/RV