Fixture

Cowbridge Triumph in Thriller

On a beautiful sunny day at The Athletic Ground, Cowbridge took on Llanishen in our first home game in Division 2 East Central.Cowbridge started strongly driving up the middle and were rewarded after four minutes with a well struck penalty by no.15 Tom Hannah.However the lead was shortlived as Llanishen were soon attacking the home line and despite some stout defence the visitors full back burst through to score under the post,easily converted.It was now Cowbridge's turn to exert pressure and a series of penalties took us within 10 metres only to lose the lineout and Llanishen were soon back in the home 22 and penalty in front of the posts provided an easy three points.half way through the first half.Both teams were determined to run the ball at every opportunity and Cowbridge were unfortunate not to the take the lead as a great charge by the pack saw No.8 Ruben Tucker over the line but the Ref. disagreed!Cowbridge were soon back on the attack as wing Adam Dix and Hannah ran out from the 22 only to be stopped by a high tackle - yellow card for Llanishen and 3 points for Cowbridge from the boot of Hannah.Llanishen responded quickly with a penalty.With a few minutes of the half remaining,injured prop Jon Bater was replaced by George Thomas and Cowbridge finally got the try they deserved as the visitors defence was bamboozled by a dummy run from Dai Popham allowing centre James Bennett to sprint under the posts with Hannah adding the extras to draw the scores.Llanishen went ahead again with a penalty on the half time whistle.

Half time Cowbridge 13 Llanishen 16

Cowbridge almost made the perfect start to the second half as a long pass to wing Adam Dix released him up the left wing only to be tackled wit the line at his mercy.Flanker James Holder was replaced by Ellis Reid as Llanishen increased their lead with a fourth penalty and injured Dai Popham replaced by Sam Richards.Llanishen missed a further penalty and Cowbridge were back on the attack and a fine lineout take and drive by Aaron Bowman was taken on by Sam Richards for Cowbridge's second try to take us within 1 point of Llanishen.Both sides carried on playing a high speed game resulting in mistakes but highly entertaining and it wasn't until the 36th minute that Tom James ,who had come on at full back,scored a superb try as Cowbridge turned over the ball on the 22 and Tom dummy'd and sprinted through the gap followed by Tom Hannah's expert conversion.As there were several injuries there was still 10 minutes to go.A penalty to Cowbridge hit the posts and Llanishen had their chances through a series of lineouts but it was a Cowbridge steal at the final lineout that finally brought the game to a close.

Final Score Cowbridge 25 Llanishen 19

Breathtaking stuff and with both teams running the ball at every opportunity there were bound to be mistakes but it led to a very entertaining game.Hooker Craig Boxall pointed out that the front row at the end - Craig,Tom Evans and George Thomas (surely one the youngest front rows that's ever played for the club) was the front row for the fine Youth Team of a few years ago.

This Saturday we play Cilfynydd at home in the 1st round of the Plate competition followed by Taffs Well away on the 29th then Abercynon home on October 5th.Finally,the World Cup starts this Friday with Wales starting on Monday against Georgia.Please check with the club for match viewing

RV/RK