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09 June 2017 / Club News

Cowbridge Finish Season in Style

Finally,the last game of the season as Wattstown were the visitors on a sunny day at the old School Field.Having won just one of their first five games Cowbridge went on to win fourteen of their next sixteen,drawing one and losing just twice to league leaders Cefn Coed and Penygraig.So today's game was important not to just extend that winning record but also to finish the season in third place as victory would take us above Llantwit.

Cowbridge kicked off and within three minutes were on the scoreboard as the ball spun across the backs followed by a couple of rucks before scrum half Hywel Williams leapt over the Wattstown defence to touch down.The Wattstown kick off didn't reach the 10 metre line and despite losing the ball from the ensuing scrum Cowbridge soon regained possession with second row Jack Anderson sprinting over from 30 metres.Despite Cowbridge's initial dominance,Wattstown had their moments,pressurising into the 22 and running a couple of penalties.However a good penalty to touch by No.10 Alex Guard followed by clean lineout ball gave Williams an opportunity to break through the Wattstown defence and release the backs as the ball sped through the hands of Luke Boys and Zac Summerhayes to powerful centre Lindsay McCausland who sprinted all of 40 metres to touch down under the posts to give Guard an easy conversion.Wattstown fought back again and pressed on the Cowbridge line but a powerful Cowbridge scrum,with front five Matt Muir,Craig Boxall,John Bater,Kieren David and Jack Anderson proving quite a handful saw Cowbridge break from the 22.A strong run by Boxall almost led to try by full back James Phillips who couldn't quite reach a kick through.Alas there was no respite for Wattstown as a powerful scrum saw no.8 Dan Holder crash over (his Dad reckoned he sprinted 20 metres) for Cowbridge to register their fourth bonus point try.Guard converted.Cowbridge finished the half with a lovely break by Alex Guard to release Phillips who jinked inside the defence .

Half Time Cowbridge 29 Wattstown 0

Cowbridge started the second half in much the same way as the first.Despite a wayward kick-off,the powerful Cowbridge scrum was soon back on top and from such ball Luke Boys again smashed through the visitors defence to release fellow centre McCausland to sprint 30 metres for his second try.Almost from the kick-off Zac Summerhayes received the ball just inside the Wattstown half and swerved and sprinted for a Cowbridge's seventh try.With such a lead Cowbridge seemed to relax and it was all Wattstown for the next ten minutes.A yellow card didn't help and despite some stout Cowbridge defence Wattstown eventually managed to cross the whitewash.Normal service was soon resumed as good lineout ball by Dan Holder saw Boys yet again scythe through the defence,passing to Alex Guard who glided over from 20 metres.Coach Dan Williams decided now was the time to make some changes. Tom James came on at scrum half,Hatim Shami on the wing and veteran prop Dave Breed on for his final game (so he says) for the club.More about Dave next week.With just a few minutes to go there was a bit of a scuffle,two yellow cards (one each) and that was it.

Final Score Cowbridge 46 Wattstown 5 (or was it - apparently the ref. scored it 53 - 5,so if anyone playing thinks they've they've been short changed please let me know and there'll be a full report of the try next week.)

So,another great display of attacking rugby from the boys.139 (or 146) points scored in the last three games to secure third place - our best for several years.Well done to all involved,it's been great to watch.There'll be a full round up of the season next week following the sold out Annual Dinner and Presentation Night at the Clubhouse this Friday.Guest speaker is Peter Jackson,recently known for his appearances on Scrum V but also a highly respected journalist and author.It should be a good night.

RV/RK

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