Fixture

Taffs Well RFC | Womens 30 - 29 Tumble RFC | Womens
Amy Jones
1 Try
Tina Thomas
1 Try
Darcy Hardy
2 Try

Match Report
05 February 2019 / Team News

Taff’s Ladies Jubilation With 30-29 Last Play Triumph Over Strong Tumble Opposition

Match report by Jess Knapman

On the 20th of January, Taff’s Ladies met Tumble for their first clash of the new year. With each team securing a hard-fought win from previous meetings, the stage was set for a serious battle of wills.

Camping in the Opposition Half

Taff’s started their campaign with a menacing attack, chasing the kick-off effectively and stifling the opposition in their half. A slight handling error from Tumble put possession back into Taff’s hands, and the ladies packed down for the first scrum of the game. As the ball rolled into the centre, the call came from Number 8 Beth Morgan for the pick-and-go from the base. Morgan secured the ball and crashed up the blind side, driving the opposition back to gain precious ground. Subsequent forward pods inched further over the gain line, drawing in the Tumble defence before allowing the ball to be shipped out to the backs.

Lewis for the Line

With the advantage of territory in the Tumble half, the Taff’s backline set their sights on their first score. Noticing the opposition’s defence had become narrow, quick hands released the ball into the hands of winger Sam Lewis. Lewis took the opportunity, diving over in the corner for the first points of the game! 5-0.

Spectacular Second for Sam

Unable to add the extras, Taff’s took to the restart hungry for more to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Receiving the ball cleanly off the restart, the ladies steeled themselves for the upcoming battle. Strong work from the forward pack gave the home team the front foot and after claiming metre after metre, Taff’s found themselves once again in the oppositions 22. A few pick-and-go’s forced the Tumble defence narrow once again and opened up space on the blind-side. After a few following phases, a low-flying ball sailed to the right-hand side of the ruck, where Sam Lewis caught the ball mid-dive to dot down with incredible flair for a second try! 10-0.

Tumble Strikes Backs

Yet to score, the visitors marched back to the halfway line ready to launch their next attack. Taff’s prepared themselves for the onslaught, however, a penalty at the breakdown returned possession to Tumble and a quick tap-and-go gave the opposition the momentum to break through the line. After deterring the initial attack, a short stoppage for injury led to a Tumble scrum in the middle of the pitch, and a perfect opportunity to strike. A few more phases played out before the visitors burst through a gap and placed the ball over the line for their first points of the afternoon. 10-5.

Davies Dives Over

As the closing minutes of the first half ticked away, Taff’s kicked off for the restart. Substitute Georgia Teuma devastated the Tumble defence on the left-hand side of the pitch, driving powerfully through multiple players. As Teuma was finally dragged to the ground, she managed to free her hands to float an offload into the hands of winger Shania Davies. Davies collected the ball from the air and dived over the line in the left-hand corner to score a third try just before half-time! 15-5.

Half time score: Taff’s 15 vs 5 Tumble


Cushing Claims Another

Shortly after the second half whistle blew, the match flew back into action with renewed intensity. And it wouldn’t be long until Taff’s celebrated their next score. Sustained pressure in the oppositions half lead to a brilliant try from Vice-Captain Kayleigh Cushing, sliding over the line to contribute another precious 5 points to the tally. 20-5

Try-time for Tumble

As the game and the advantage lay in the hands of the home team, Tumble upped their game. A string of penalties racked up against Taff’s and the visitors quickly capitalised, adding a second score to their campaign. Furthermore, as the Taff’s defence came under scrutiny from the referee, one high tackle too many resulted in a yellow card. A third try quickly followed for the opposition, taking a quick penalty 15 metres out. With the fire reignited, and one conversion sailing through the posts, the score sat at Taff’s 20 Tumble 17.

Problematic Penalties

As the sin bin minutes ticked away, Taff’s focused on their defensive strength. Unfortunately, as they attempted to halt the Tumble attack, another tackle slipped high and the referee once again reached into his pocket for a second yellow of the match. With one player returning to the pitch, another took up the sin bin for the next 10 minutes and Taff’s remained a player down. Taking advantage of the situation, Tumble tapped the penalty and ran hard. Space opened up for the visitors and a tight run down the left-hand line of the pitch finished with a try in the corner! Controversy over whether or not the player was in touch clouded the score, but the referee had heard enough, and Taff’s saw another yellow card. Down to 13 players, Taff’s conceded a 5th score and the balance seemed to swing well in Tumble’s favour. 20-29.

Teuma Causes Havoc

After more gruelling minutes of extreme physicality, both teams struggled to puncture the other’s defensive line. However, a moment of opportunity saw Taff’s striding over the gain line. The ball found its way into the arms of centre Georgia Teuma off a penalty deep in the oppositions 22, who exerted her dominance in contact and stretched her arm to dot down over the white line. A 5th score! But with one conversion keeping them two points behind, Taff’s needed to come up with a final score to claim victory. 25-29.

Final Play Determination

With the home team down to 13 players and the scoreboard in Tumble’s favour, it was seemingly a lost cause for Taffs Well. However, in rugby, it is never over until it’s over. Taff’s buried their heads and channelled their frustration into the game. Fighting their way up the pitch, metre after metre, the home team’s resolve held strong, and as the referee called the last play of the game, they made their final assault. Teuma tucked the ball under-arm and stretched her powerful legs. As the gap to the try-line narrowed, the referee hovered over the pile of bodies on the line to search for the grounded ball - could be it be just possible? Yes it was! The referee's hand flew up in the air in awarding the try and with a piercing ring of the whistle, signalled the end of one of the most thrilling matches you would wish to see.

Final Score: Taff’s Well 30 vs Tumble 29.

 


Player of the Match Performances

In what quickly became a battle of wills, Taff’s managed to seize the win from a formidable Tumble outfit. Player of the match performances from centre, Georgia Teuma and Number 8, Beth Morgan fuelled the home teams fighting spirit. Morgan stamped her authority on the pitch with powerful pick-and-go attacks across the field, while Teuma decimated defences with her incredible carrying ability.

Tries:

Sam Lewis x2

Shania Davies

Kayleigh Cushing

Georgia Teuma x2

Match Photos; Press Here


Jess Knapman

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