Fixture

The Rags were disappointed not to find a home pitch available as this fixture against Pontyclun constituted a home league game, the only solution was to play Pontyclun away in a so called ‘friendly’ fixture but if the definition of ‘friendly’ has changed then the Oxford Dictionary needs to get its act together rather quickly as this was a rather tempestuous affair involving two teams were intent in coming away with the bragging rights in very challenging conditions.

The match was to be punctuated with a series of knock-ons and handling errors which would add frustration to the proceedings as the Taff’s Well pack continued their scrummaging dominance throughout this season to immediately take the game to a rather youthful home side that rose to the challenge in an evenly balanced first half. After a lapse in the visitor’s concentration, Pontyclun were able to take advantage with a soft interception to open the scoring with a clear run under the posts opening up a 7-0 lead with the conversion added. The two evenly matched sides continued to have their differences before Taff’s Well were able to put together a series of pick and goes for the backs to make further ground through a series of breaks before inside centre Ryan Smith threw a superb overhead looping miss pass to find outside centre Rhodri Garland who sped away from 30m for a superb team try which was to be converted with an equally impressive effort from outside-half Corey Phillips wide out.

The stalemate continued to half-time with a 7-7 scoreline which just about told the story of the first half as the conditions worsened.

                        First half score:   Pontyclun 2nds 7 v 7 Taff’s Well 2nds

                                                           Second Half

Even though the scrummaging dominance was to continue with several strikes against the head from hooker Ieuan Rees, Pontyclun were to up the ante with a sustained period of pressure which pinned the visitors in their 22 for over 20 minutes but with a dogged defiance, the defensive wall held as the whole team rallied around No8 Lewis Edwards who lead the way with a tenacious Man-of-the-Match performance in only his third game back in the fold. After riding out the storm and seizing the initiative with a Corey Phillips penalty, tempers again flared only to see a yellow card for Pontyclun and Taff’s Well duly clawed their back into the territory stakes to allows Corey Phillips to chip over the home defence for winger Alexi Cox to chase and put his opposite number in all kinds of bother to pull off a superb tackle forcing him into touch and conceding an attacking lineout close to the home line.

From the resultant catch and drive, the pack edged forwarded to give prop John Davies the opportunity to show the youngsters just how it’s supposed to be done as he launched himself over the whitewash to put some daylight between the sides as the conversion went wide. The half-back combination of Phillips and his partner scrum-half Garyn Rees were to continue their influence over the game as they nursed their team to the final whistle and a hard earned victory amid a backdrop of niggle and conditions more akin to bog-snorkelling.

                       First time score:   Pontyclun 2nds 7 v 15 Taff’s Well 2nds

The Verdict

This was not a match for the faint-hearted in any shape or form as if the conditions didn’t manage to test the mettle of the players then the physical challenge laid down between the two teams did, as the sporadic outbursts of disagreement were to be become a constant feature throughout the match. This is a tight group of players who have proved that that they are willing to stand up and be counted as proved by the superb defensive effort during the second half and typified by the efforts of Lewis Edwards at number No8 who took the game to a combative Pontyclun eight and stood out as Man-of-the-Match.

The half-back pairing of Phillips and Rees wrestled all match with the conditions and were able to provide a platform for Taff’s Well to keep in the match and to take advantage when it mattered most with an impressive defensive cameo by winger Alexi Cox. The scrum continues to be a potent weapon for the Rag’s armoury with the front row of prop and Captain James Harris, hooker Ieuan Rees and prop John ‘I didn’t say I was going to retire quite yet’ Davies providing the platform for yet another accomplished performance from the Taff’s Well eight.

Next week sees the promotion chasing Rags away to Old Penarthians in the league and the 1st XV home to Pentyrch in a local derby.

Dave Beese   davecbwales@gmail.com

Match report:  Treherbert 1st XV 3 v 10 Taff's Well 1st XV  - WRU Bowl 5th Round

Match report:  Taff's Well Youth XV 50 v 7 Dinas Powys XV

Match report:  Taff's Well Ladies XV 10 v 17 Nantymoel Ladies XV

Coming up...

Sat 21/1/17 

Taff's Well 1st XV v Pentyrch 1st XV - (League) The local derby, don't miss it!

KO 2.30pm

Sat 21/1/17  

Old Penarthians 2nd XV v Taff's Well 2nd XV (League)

KO 2.30pm

Sun 22/1/17  

Morriston Ladies XV v Taff's Well Ladies XV (League)

KO 2.30pm