Fixture

Cowbridge fall just short at Taffs Well

Cowbridge travelled to Taffs Well for their 3rd league game of the season, where the weather was good and the pitch was in excellent condition. Cowbridge made a good start and pressurised the home defence who infringed after 5 minutes, but centre Tom Hannah could not convert the resulting penalty. Taffs Well however were soon on the attack themselves and were awarded a penalty to take a 3-0 lead.

The home side were big and physical and began to exert pressure on the visitors up front, well supported by some strong running and tackling by the inside backs. Cowbridge, to their credit, employed some effective pick and go tactics leading to some good gains by the forwards. However, they were unable to release their back line effectively and the game became a bit of an arm wrestle. 

Cowbridge had the next chance to score with another penalty after 30 minutes but Hannah was again unable to convert. They then made some good ground with a neat break by captain Ross Gibbon releasing wing Will Williams into the home 22. The ball was moved wide but was lost in a tackle and cleared. Cowbridge continued to run the ball and a fit again Richie Howson made a good break before feeding fellow back row Tom Higgins who drove it on. Prop George Thomas kept the move going before centre Ash Thomas made a half break and fed Williams who raced clear to score a fine try, converted by Hannah for a 3-7 lead. It was however, the home side who finished the half strongly, camped on the Cowbridge try line. Only a determined defensive effort ensured that Cowbridge kept the lead going into half time.

It didn’t take Taffs Well long to narrow the deficit with a penalty just 3 minutes after the restart, following a high tackle. Dan Holder and Sam Stevens came on for Cowbridge who continued to make some good ground on occasion but the experienced Taffs Well pack kept up the pressure and continually slowed down Cowbridge ball. The home side then made a couple of changes behind the scrum and started to run the ball more. This opened the game up with both sides pressing but the respective defences held out. After 70 minutes Taffs Well looked to be clear down the left wing and it took a fantastic tackle by full back Alex Guard to keep them out in the corner.

The breakthrough finally came with a Cowbridge clearance kick half charged down. The home centre gathered the loose ball to make good ground before releasing his full back who touched down under the posts on 76 minutes. The try was converted for 13-7 lead. 

With injury time, there was 10 minutes left and Cowbridge continued to press with the likes of substitute Jack Anderson making good breaks. It was however the home side who were finishing the stronger and another try saving tackle by Guard on 81 minutes saw him leave the field, with Fraser McGhan coming on. Cowbridge eventually cleared their lines but could not get beyond the half way line before full time was called. Overall it was a good effort by the boys but they were too often drawn into a forward battle and couldn’t work the ball wide to test Taffs Well on the outside.

This Saturday Cowbridge entertain Abercynon at the Athletic Field, one of five sides in the league who have won 2 games and lost one in September. Kick off is at 2:30 and all support is welcome at the newly refurbished clubhouse.

GT/RK/RV