Fixture

Taffs well are through to the the last sixteen of the Swalec bowl competition ,after a titanic struggle against Fairwater ,with the result in doubt right up to the final whistle. With a swirling wind and a heavy pitch ,both sides had to work hard ,but they both had their chances to go ahead ,and it was Taffs Well took the lead mid way through the first half, when wing Gavin Close found a gap in the home defense and went over for the games first try ,fullback Shaun Baggs added the conversion ,for a 7--0 lead. That was the only score of the half ,but as the teams turned around ,it was Fairwater who had the advantage of the strong wind at their backs ,and their outside half made good use of it to push Taffs Well back towards their line.The visitors weathered the early pressure and came back to increase their lead when Baggs slotted over a penalty , but Fairwater responded immediately ,scoring a try after good work by their pack ,and the conversion meant the lead was reduced to 10-7 . Two further penalty goals for the home side put them in front for the first time with a 13--10 lead , and with time slipping  away Taffs Well mounted a sustained attack ,and were rewarded when the referee gave them a penalty, which replacement outside half James Dixon slotted over to take the game into extra time.This was always going to be a close game ,with both teams determined to make progress in the competition , and as the pressure mounted chances were missed at both ends , but it was Fairwater who took the lead once again with their third successful penalty goal ,leading 16--13 . Taffs Well ,who are unbeaten this season would not surrender their record  without a fight ,and after another period of pressure on the home line ,they went over ,but the referee could not see the grounding ,and awarded Taffs Well a five meter scrum, this was a golden opportunity as the Taffs Well eight had dominated the scrum throughout the game, but Fairwater went passive ,taking away any advantage Taffs Well had ,but their supporters need not have worried ,as number eight Max Watkins became the hero by crashed over for the winning score with two minutes left on the clock . It was a very close encounter against probably the best side Taffs Well have played this season ,and the result could have gone either way ,but it is Taffs Well who can now look forward to a home game against Swansea Uplands in the fifth round .Before that Taffs Well play Crynant tonight [ Wednesday ]   in the quarter final on the silver ball competition ,and on Saturday welcome Abercwmboi to Maes Gwyn for a league game .
mike Gibbons