Fixture

Richards football skills secures victory. 

The preceding days of rain gave way to  a sunny and warm day last Saturday for the arrival of Cilfynydd (Cil). The early exchanges saw Cil using their big forwards to drive forward forcing Cowbridge to defend. However on 9 minutes scrum half Ioan Lewis dabbed a ball through the defence, their full back failed to gather it but centre Alex Guard did and raced into their 22. When tacked the ball was spun right with the last pass by prop Sam Richards to wing Adam Dix giving Dix a run before he was stopped. The referee had seen an offside and centre Tom Hannah put over his first points. But just minutes later Cowbridge were scrambling in defence of their try line to keep out their prop and flanker from a tap penalty. At the other end Dix had another run after a maul in Cil's 22 and a slip pass from second row Jamie Bennett. Just before the mid point a scintillating 65 metre run jinking inside and out brought full back Rhydian Williams just 5 metres from a try. On the 28 minute mark another penalty in an almost exact same position gave Hannah another 3 points. The last 5 minutes of the half saw Cil camped around Cowbridge's 22. In the first scrum penalty Cil drove Cowbridge back 5 metres but the next 4 the front row of Chris Morris, Craig Boxall and Richards held firm before a relieving kick ended the half at 6 - 0.

Into the second half and Cowbridge were fortunate a chip over the defence gathered by their outside centre to run to the line was brought back for offside. Then 15 minutes a mix up in Cil's midfield saw Richards disrupt play then kick on keeping the ball under control from 25 metres out for a superb try. Hannah added the extras. A worrying sight saw Guard forced off through injury. Frazer McGhan came on and went on to have a fine game in defence. On 20 minutes a break by Hywel Williams now at centre swept Cowbridge upfield his pass to Lewis in support saw that player held back but this penalty chance from 45 metres went just wide. Chris Morris came to the sidelines and Dai Breed entered the fray. Minutes later from more driving play Cil's No 7 dived over for a try converted by their outside half. On 26 minutes the Bennett boys combined in midfield Jamie popping the ball to No 8 James to set off on a run to just short of the try line. Lewis came to the side and Dix moved to his favoured scrum half position. In the last 6 or 7 minutes Cil continued to attack and a great lineout take again from captain Ross Gibbon resulted in James Bennett taking play 25 metres upfield. The last change brought Ben Swift into the forwards. At the end of normal time and into injury time Cowbridge were forced to defend for long passages the game on a tightrope because of earlier missed chances. But they held out with huge commitment losing flanker Dan Holder to a yellow near the end. Final score  13 - 7

Cowbridge made it hard work though credit to Cil for all their pressure. The team ethic got Cowbridge through. Amongst some great performances, hooker Boxall was eveywhere. The Holder brothers too and James Bennett if not defending was making telling runs. The support on the touchlines was again terrific. 

This Saturday we are away to Llantwit Fardre, the following Saturday at Llantrisant. We are next at home on 16th November against league leaders Treharris. There has been sad news recently for both Llantwit Fardre and Treharris. 

The club will hold the annual fireworks night on 5th November with a start time for the fireworks of 7pm. We look forward to seeing you there

Finally we wish good luck again to Wales in their semi final next Saturday 

RV/RK