COWBRIDGE RFC’s visitors to the Athletic Field on Saturday, 8th April, were Cilfyndd, a team Cowbridge lost to earlier in the season.
However, buoyed by an excellent win in the week against Llantwit Fardre – and a great performance on the day – Cowbridge won 34-5
Cowbridge produced a battling team performance on the night of 5th April at Llantwit Fardre, winning 10-27 with tries by wing Matt Oddy and three well-worked catch and drives producing tries for hooker Max Lucas (two) and flanker Craig Boxall. Full back Liam Phillips added two conversions and a penalty.
Cowbridge started well against Cilfynydd but it was 12 minutes in before Phillips added the first point with a penalty. Cilfynydd came back with a chance that went begging due to a knock on and another with a two-man overlap that wing Charlie Locke read with a superb interception to run in from 75 metres. Phillips added the extras.
Locke scored again when, following a great run by No 8 Ryan Hall, taken on by Lucas, scrum half Adam Dix popped the ball up to Locke who had come off his wing to crash over for another converted try. His third came two minutes later as the ball was moved left through centre Mike Hathaway, c/o centre Ed Thomas made an arcing run and passed out to Locke to run in from 22 metres. The conversion drifted wide.
Cowbridge showed superb defence to keep Cilfynyd out in the final minutes of the first half. Half time 22-0
Ten minutes into the second half and attacking play took Cowbridge to Cilfynydd’s five-metre line. The ball was moved left, Hathaway engaged defenders before slipping a pass to full back Phillips to cross under the posts for a try he converted. Hat trick man Locke came off with an injury and Elisedd Greenwood sprinted on. Cilfynydd scored minutes later from a catch and drive for their hooker.
Cowbridge had the last well worked try. Dix sent the ball right, Thomas beat three defenders to pass to Hathaway to cross the whitewash for an unconverted try. Hardworking flanker Jack Forsyth was replaced by James Anstey with 15 minutes to go. Cilfynydd upped their game and Cowbridge had to defend for the final minutes – a great double tackle by flanker Tom Evans and prop George Thomas prevented a certain try. Pressure resulted in yellow cards for Hall and wing Carwyn Harris but the whistle brought a final score of 34-5
There was little doubt the battling performance against Llantwit Fardre laid the foundations for this bonus point win. Fleet footed Charlie Locke took his tries superbly but there was much to admire. The backs moved the ball well and the team defence was outstanding. The many supporters and players were delighted to see former coaches Dan Williams and Leigh Davies on the touchline.
Cowbridge travel to Treharris on 15th April then take on Llanishen away on 19. The next home fixture is Llantwit Fardre on 22nd April. We hope Llantwit’s injured second row is making good progress after his nasty injury.
RV/RK
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