Fixture

Cowbridge Fight Back for Victory

Having finished 2019 in style against Llanishen Cowbridge were looking to start the New Year in a similar vein at the Athletic Ground last Saturday against 4th placed Taffs. Well It did not start well as the visitors kicked off and were awarded a penalty within the minute,easily converted.Things got worse soon after as Cowbridge attacked but a pass was intercepted and the Taffs Wells wing sprinted 50 metres for a converted try.Despite some Cowbridge pressure after 15 minutes Taffs Well increased their lead with a second penalty.

Cowbridge finally settled down and from the kick off captain Ross Gibbon drove forward with scrum half Hywel Williams taking the ball on resulting in a penalty.Another penalty was awarded from the driving lineout and centre Tom Hannah made no mistake with the kick.The boys now had their tails up and powerful running from Aaron Bowman,Dai Popham and Tom Higgins.The pressure continued and a missed penalty was soon followed by a converted one for Gaz Williams-Davies.6-13.The next few minutes was all Taffs Well resulting in a well taken second try.

Half-Time Cowbridge 6 Taffs Well 18 

Cowbridge started the second half with great intent with a fine kick by full back Rhydian Williams into the Taffs Well 22 resulted in a scrum 5 metres out.Following words with certain constantly bickering visiting forwards Gibbon,Bowman and Jack Anderson drove to the line only to be penalised 2 metres out.However,Cowbridge won the ensuing lineout followed by a penalty in front of the posts which Williams-Davies calmly converted.Dan Holder joined the fray as Taffs Well attacked from the kick off but with confidence growing Cowbridge regained possession as backs Tom James,Adam Dix and Will Williams ran the ball into the 22 and a penalty.Another great lineout take Gibbon and a massive forward drive saw Dan Holder crash over the line under a pile of bodies for Williams-Davies to convert.16-18 after 13 minutes.

Unfortunately a cheap shot on prop Dai Popham soon after the kick off saw him replaced by the evergreen Chris Morrris (Dai went to hospital with a fractured eye socket and possible eye damage - we wish him well.)

A towering up and under was well fielded by full back Williams followed by a Cowbridge penalty and into the 22. Gibbon again secured the lineout ball and scrum half Williams split the defence with a fantastic break,passing to the supporting Gibbon to sprint over from 20 metres.Despite a yellow card Taffs Well battled their way into the Cowbridge 22 but great defence,particularly by Holder,Craig Boxall ,Higgins and Bowman drove them back. Further Cowbridge penalties took them up-field and to the final whistle.

Final Score Cowbridge 21 Taffs Well 18

Truly a game of two halves.At 18-6 at half time and powerful running from the Taffs Well backs,particularly their outstanding full back Cowbridge looked out of it but what a second half.The boys never gave up and increased in confidence as the game progressed a fine win.

This Saturday we travel to Abercynon,another tough one,then it's Gilfach Goch at home on the 18th followed by Cilfynydd away on the 25th.There's then a break for the Italy and Ireland games until 15th February when we're home against Llantwit Fardre.

Assuming there's enough interest the club will be organising coaches to the home Six Nations games. If anyone is interested details can be found on the clubhouse notice board.

RV/RK