Fixture

With something of a pedigree developed in the Welsh Bowl over the last three years, Taff’s Well travelled to the depths of Carmarthenshire to take on high-flying Nantgaredig complete with the usual die-hard following and hope in the heart thanks to a long a long run of wins in both cup and league.

Match Report by Martin Forward

Both sides started with a positive approach attacking with intent despite the greasy conditions. Nantgaredig had the upper hand in the early stages with their powerful forwards dominating the scrums, but Taff’s Well were more than up for the challenge going toe to toe with the hosts and refusing to take a step backwards. However, following a solid scrum from the hosts, the team from West Wales enjoyed quick clean ball which made its way to outside half Meirion Davies sitting back in the pocket, who delivered a slightly overcooked cross kick, which ‘garedig did remarkably well to keep in play for home left winger Dafydd Lewis to gather and dive over. The conversion was missed by Davies meaning that the hosts led by 5-0 with 10 minutes on the clock.

Taff’s Well Regroup

After the early setback, Taff’s Well settled down and a darting break by Jack Shaddick followed by slick interplay between backs and forwards in the tight resulted in a penalty opportunity for the visitors to strike back immediately. Taff’s Well 10 Brandon Thrasher made no mistake from just outside the 22m making the score Nantgaredig 5, Taff’s Well 3.

Watkins & Thrasher Combo Ignites

With both sides having their fair share of possession and territory, Taff’s Well number 8 Max Watkins grabbed the game by the scruff of its neck and made a powerful break into enemy ranks, brushing aside opponents in his wake. The backs got in on the act showing some deft handling, and with the home side frustrated, the referee -  who was having a fine match - raised his arm to indicate another Taff’s Well kickable penalty, and a chance to take the lead. The Young outside-half duly obliged and after 15 minutes, the side from Rhondda Cynon Taf were into the lead by 6 points to 5 in an absorbing encounter.

Terrier Edwards

Nantgaredig’s forward dominance combined with strategic kicking from the fly-half meant that the majority of the first 40 minutes was played in the visitors half of the field, with Taff’s Well relying on Thrasher’s boot to get them up the pitch. However, a solid Taff’s Well scrum on halfway gave scrum-half Gwilym Edwards an opportunity for a sniping run followed by a neat grubber kick beyond the defensive line. Unfortunately, Nantgaredig’s fullback spotted the danger and closed the attack down resulting in an accidental collision between the two players with Edwards coming off slightly the worst for wear. After a short stoppage in play for treatment, the little terrier was thankfully back on his feet and able to continue.

Crowd Gets Into It

The pitch was holding up well despite the conditions and the crowd were being well entertained, and supporting their sides with enthusiasm. With five minutes of the first half left to play, Edwards produced a fantastic kick upfield, the home side struggled to clear their lines under intense pressure, and another penalty ensued. Thrasher had his kicking boots on today and swept the ball over the posts with ease, moving the visitors into a 9-5 lead with half-time approaching. More powerful driving from Taff’s Well’s forwards followed by a splendid box kick from Edwards ensured that the remainder of the half was played in Nantgaredig territory to protect their slim advantage in a ding-dong affair. The supporters who’d travelled 60 miles down the M4 didn’t need any sugar in their halftime cuppa, as the halftime score made sweet reading. Nantgaredig 5, Taff’s Well 9. If the visitors could keep play in the Nantgaredig half forcing pressure - penalties could be enough to take the tie.

Second Half

With the second half underway, and the volume in the stands increasing from both sets of supporters, a barnstorming run by Taff’s Well hooker Bradley James put the visitors deep into their opponents half but after surrendering possession, the resulting long kick from home fly-half Davies sees play back into Taff’s Well territory with an infringement by the visitors resulting in a penalty and a long attempt at goal for Davies which he duly converted with an excellent effort -Nantgaredig 8, Taff’s Well 9

Edwards in Distress

In the meantime, Gwilym Edwards was hobbling badly and could no longer continue. A re-shuffle in the Taff’s Well backline meant right-wing Ronan Barrett moving in to replace him at scrum-half with Kyle Barker coming on from the subs bench to take his place on the wing. With the hosts pushing for the lead, Taff’s Well produced a superb counter-attack, and a deliberate knock-on by Nantgaredig gave Thrasher a 30 metre shot at goal from out wide which was narrowly missed.

Great Defence

Nantgaredig were soon back in the visitor’s half and piling on the pressure but strong defence meant that Taff’s Well forced a knock on. From the resulting scrum, No.8 Watkins picked up from the base and went on a storming 50m sprint down the pitch, with the whole of Taff’s Well roaring him on. Unfortunately, there was a knock on from the resulting ruck and Nantgaredig were able to clear their lines once again. With 25 minutes left to play, the game was on a knife edge and could go either way.

Home Eight Weight Starting to Pay

With Nantgaredig applying their forward dominance, and Taff’s Well tackling like men possessed; hands on the deck in a ruck resulted in a penalty for the home side and a 42m attempt at goal to take the lead. With fingernails down to the skin in the stands, Davies stepped up and pulled his kick wide. From the resulting drop-out, Nangaredig again applied more pressure and forced yet another penalty, this time inside the 22. With no fingernails left in the stand, the crowd watched on as Davies missed agonisingly missed again. Would the home side live to regret these missed chances one wonders?

Yellow adds to the Drama

A yellow card for Barrett meant the visitors were down to 14 men, but more worryingly, another 38m opportunity for Davies who again failed to take the chance by pushing wide. Nantgaredig created an overlap from the resulting drop-out, but Taff’s Well stood strong and forced a penalty of their own.

Pressure Mounting

Following a good break by centre Justin Jones who slipped the ball inside to Watkins, Taff’s Well were making good progress upfield but an infringement pinged Taff’s Well back on the defensive with 15 minutes to go. A solid Nantgaredig attacking lineout saw the ball shipped wide and on the offensive as the pressure lurked on the visitor's line and the home crowd baying for blood. Taff’s Well defended for their lives, but the inevitable penalty ensued close to the touchline and the West Walians opted to go for the attacking lineout.

Make or Break

From the 5m throw-in, Taff’s Well mounted an incredible rear-guard action which completely frustrated both home players and crowd thanks to the conjuring up of some impressive inner strength. With 10 minutes to go, the pitch cutting up badly and excitement at fever pitch, Nantgaredig put on an eight-man shove in the scrum for a resultant break to spread the ball smartly wide to set up a succession of rucks which resulted in second-row Carwyn Davies taking a scoring pass to romp over in the corner for the killer blow as the conversion went wide. Game set and match to the hosts as the game reached its conclusion with a hard-fought but deserved home win against a gallant never-say-die Taff’s Well who wore their hearts on their sleeves and enthralled the travelling faithful with yet another impressive run in the cup.

Final Score:  Nantgaredig 13 v 9 Taff’s Well