Bonus point win keeps Cowbridge in pole position
SPORT | Rugby
Cowbridge RFC welcomed second placed Llanishen to the Athletic Ground and in glorious sunshine both teams produced an exciting game.
Cowbridge started brightly and within four minutes, from a soaring take in the lineout by captain Ross Gibbon, the resulting drive saw No8 Dan Apsee dab down for an unconverted try.
On the 20-minute mark, an interchange between centres Sam Griffiths and Mike Hathaway saw the ball recycled to full back Alex Guard, who continued his rich vein of form and slipped between defenders to cross for a try, with prop Sam Richards’ conversion attempt just missing. Minutes later, scrum pressure close to Llanishen’s line brought a penalty and alert scrum half Hywel Williams took it quickly and dived over.
However, Llanishen fought back and their lively scrum half secured their first points with a quickly-taken penalty of his own near the try line and minutes later they scored again when a mazy run by their outside half brought a penalty that their inside centre put over. Just before half time, there was a further scare as their scrum half scooped up a dropped pass and went on a run that was stopped just feet from Cowbridge’s try line by defenders Guard and outside half Gareth Williams-Davies, who was harshly penalised and yellow carded for going off his feet in the ensuing ruck. Cowbridge somehow cleared their lines and half time brought a score of 15-8
The contest remained even for the first 15 minutes of the second half. Tom Lucas and Rhidian Williams took over wing duties from Tom James and Adam Dix. After a great shift, flanker Ryan Hall was replaced by Tom Evans. Just before the mid point, a move started by Rhidian saw the ball reach Tom Lucas, who had come across to the opposite wing. He raced up the right touchline, passed inside to Williams, who rode a hard tackle to cross for his brace.
After being part of a strong scrummaging performance, Richards came to the sidelines and Jack Forsyth came on. Minutes later, Llanishen took a short throw in at the line out and their hooker crashed over for an unconverted try. The score was now 20-15 .
With 10 minutes left, the Cowbridge scrum held firm and Hywel got his pass away to Williams-Davies and his delayed pass allowed centre Griffiths to come on to the pass at pace and find a gap to cross for a try that Guard converted.
As Cowbridge attacked down the right, Llanishen’s wing was yellow carded for back chat and three minutes later down that same wing, Lucas and Rhidian exchanged passes before Lucas dived over for a well-worked try. Flanker Evans produced a great piece of defensive play to stop a Llanishen attack in Cowbridge’s 22. But the last score was an excellent 65-metre effort as a quickly-taken penalty sent Griffiths on a run down the left wing. His kick ahead was gathered by Guard to touch down and bring a final score of 37-15 .
Arguably, Llanishen weren’t at full strength but it was still a very good win and bonus point that returned Cowbridge to pole position in the league. Cowbridge’s next scheduled game is away at Abercwmboi on 23rd April. This will be a tough test since Abercwmboi haven’t lost yet and are in fifth position only because they have played just six times.
The Youth had their own terrific six-try win 36-10 away at Porth Harlequins. Well done boys!
There was sad news from the Athletic Club that Paul Merilaht lost his battle with ill health. We send our condolences to his family including stalwarts of the cricket section, sons Tom and Damien.
RV/RK
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