Fixture

Cowbridge Out of Plate Despite Second Half Comeback

Last Saturday Cowbridge travelled to Division 1 West Central leaders Kenfig Hill with the bare fifteen for the second round of the Specsavers National Plate.

The home side were first on the scoreboard with a penalty after 7 minutes,Cowbridge responding with a Sam Richards penalty 10 minutes later.The Cowbridge pack were a match for the bigger opposition with the front row of George Thomas,Tom Evans and the evrgreen Chris Morris particularly impressive.However,as the half progressed Kenfig Hill gained the upper hand and after 30 minutes a clever chip through the Cowbridge defence was scooped up by the right wing to touch down under the posts.Unfortunately soon after prop George Thomas suffered a nasty collar-bone injury which required a hospital visit.We wish a quick recovery.It was now uncontested scrums and Kenfig took advantage with a second converted try just before half time.

Half Time Kenfig Hill 17 Cowbridge 3

Cowbridge started the second half strongly with speedy fullback Rhydian Williams flying through the defence,kicks ahead but the ball just creeps over the dead ball line.Kenfig Hill then had a purple batch,scoring three tries and one conversion with just thirteen minutes of the half completed to take the score to 34-3.And then it was all Cowbridge.With half backs Dan Williams and Alex Guard taking control and the back row of Dan Holder,Tom Higgins and Ben Swift creating all sorts of problems in the loose.After five minutes of intense pressure Sam Richards

and Dan Holder drove towards the line releasing captain Ross Gibbon to crash over.A few minutes later some excellent running by James Bennett and Alex Guard resulted in Gibbon romping for his second try.Cowbridge were now on fire with three-quarters James Holder,Leigh Davies,Bennett,and Richard Lewis-Morton attacking at every opportunity.However Cowbridge's third try came from a great line-out from Dan Holder and after a series of penalties Sam Richards charged over the line to complete a thrilling second half.- Well done to Kenfig Hill - the game was played in great spirit 

Final Score Kenfig Hill 34 Cowbridge 18.

So,disappointing to be out of the Plate but the boys can be proud of the way they played,particularly in the second half when they displayed tremendous determination.

This Saturday we are at home against Cilfynydd and then it's Llantwit Fardre away on the 26th and Llantrisant away on 9th November.

RV/RK