Fixture

Match report by Martin 'Curly' Forward

Who needs the Six Nations when you have a cracking midweek match under the lights at Maes Gwyn? Penygraig arrived having suffered only two defeats in the league and through to the quarter-final of the WRU Bowl in addition to a home win already under their belts in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season; Taff’s Well were, however, looking to the past as club stalwarts Jamie and Craig Field along with second-row John Stephens were brought out of retirement to answer the call to arms thanks to a lengthy injury list.

With greasy conditions underfoot, the match kicked off with the home side in traditional black colours, and the visitors in Yellow & red, but with the rain hammering down onto an already cut up pitch, you can guarantee by the end of the match that both sides would be draped in brown. The hosts forwards found themselves in the ascendency during the initial stages, and an infringement by the Rhondda men gave outside-half Jamie Field an early, but not easy 30 metre shot at goal which went narrowly wide.

The home side continued to dominate up front, and following a barnstorming drive by the Watkins back row boys - first flanker Rhys, then No.8 Max, followed by some jinky footwork by Jamie Field, Taff’s Well found themselves 5 metres out from their opponents try line with an attacking line out. A good peel and surge by Max Watkins towards the posts almost resulted in the opening score, but Penygraig defended resolutely, but not legally. The result was a 5-metre attacking scrum for the hosts, which they were unable to convert into points, meaning that the visitors able to clear their lines.

Despite the filthy conditions, Penygraig were willing to throw the ball around and also kicked intelligently, making good yards upfield. They were rewarded with an attacking lineout 10 metres from Taff’s Well’s line, and a good clean take meant the ball could be shipped out wide, but an accidental offside resulted in a put in at the scrum for the home side. A good shove from the Rhondda men however resulted in a penalty for the visitors and a 15 metre shot at goal, which was successfully converted for the opening score. 3-0 to Penygraig.

Following the re-start, and with good forward momentum by the home side, Taff’s Well were given the opportunity to strike back immediately with their own penalty attempt at goal 30 metres out, which Jamie Field duly converted, bringing the scores level at 3-3.

The conditions meant that the majority of this game was played in the pack, but with half an hour gone, Taff’s Well stole a lineout ball and spread it out to the backs. Ronan Barratt found himself in a bit of space, and tore through the Penygraig defence like a hot knife through wet mud. There were numbers out wide, so he offloaded to his supporting players, but despite good handling in the conditions, the final pass went agonisingly to ground with the line at Max Watkins’ mercy.

Having been let off the hook, Penygraig made their way steadily upfield with some strategic kicking, and after a period of scrappy play, were awarded a penalty 40 metres out. They made no mistake with this opportunity, which took the score up to 6-3 in the visitors’ favour as the half-time whistle blew.

Halftime Score - Taff’s Well 3, Penygraig 6

Second Half

With the rain still hammering down, it was the Penygraig who were dominant during the early stages of the second half, and the majority of play was in the Taff’s Well half of the field. However, a strong breakaway by Max Watkins took play up to halfway, and great interplay in the backline drew an infringement from the away side resulting in a penalty shot at goal 25 meters out, which Jamie Field planted over to bring the scores level at 6-6.

The re-start by Penygraig didn’t go the required 10 metres, but the hosts failed to capitalise, and the visitors put the ball deep into Taff’s Well territory. After a kicking exchange, the home side were awarded a defensive scrum in their own 22, but it was the visitors turn to show their forward power, driving the home side off their own ball, which resulted in another penalty shot at goal. The ball flew over the posts, which put the Penygraig in the lead once again, 9-6.

It was time for reinforcements from the home team, so hooker Bradley James was replaced by Mathew Desmier, he was easy to spot, he had the nice clean kit.

From the re-start, a 30-metre driving maul from Taff’s Well took play into Penygraig’s 22, but an unfortunate knock-on gives the relieved visitors the scrum. Another Taff’s Well substitution saw prop Graham Harvey replacing 2nd-row John Stephens who deserved a big pat on the back for his performance, meaning a re-shuffle in the pack; and with 20 minutes to go, a superb break by wing Jack Shaddick resulted in an attacking scrum 10 metres from the try line. A quick pick up and drive by Max Watkins with fantastic support from his fellow forwards brings an infringement from the visitors and a resultant penalty.

But instead of taking the points, they decided on a quick tap to run left - almost messing it up, but nimble feet from Jamie Field managed to rescue the situatio, followed by a great miss-pass form centre Justin Jones which fed full-back Chris Tottle out wide who dived over in the corner for a great score in the conditions. The conversion was missed, but the score was now 11-9 to Taff’s Well.  It was time for another pair of fresh legs for the home side as Rhys Watkins, who had a splendid match, was replaced by Rhys Green.

Good movement at the front of the line followed by a rolling maul which took play deep into Penygraig’s half resulted in another penalty for Taff's Well, following an infringement. Jamie Field was successful yet again from 30 meters out, giving the hosts a cushion of 14 points to 9. In the dying stages, Taff’s Well displayed good ball control and game management to ensure the clock would be run down efficiently and effectively, and despite one late attacking threat from Penygraig, Taff’s Well defended resolutely ensuring there was no way back for the visitors and a thoroughly deserved home win.

Final Score: Taff’s Well 14, Penygraig 9

This was a hard-earned win in terrible conditions and one that consolidates Taff’s Well's position in second place of the league. Both sides need to be complimented on their willingness to try and run the ball when the best place to be was safe in the bar. Man-of-the-match went to scrum-half Craig Field for his dealing with a bar of soap and admirably getting his backline away but everyone can take a bow in a performance that was full of character and great determination.

Coming up…

This Saturday sees a huge game at Maes Gywn in what could prove to be one of the defining fixtures of the season as the boys seek to put a more daylight between them and Fairwater who are in third place, 11 points behind and having played one match more. Two sides go up and it’s all to play for.

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