News

Taff's Well First XV were beaten by a strong Llanharan side on a poignant day at Maes Gwyn, as the visitors ran in 5 tries in a 11-38 victory.

After a week of horrible weather, it was great to see the sun shining across Maes Gwyn as the home side welcomed Llanharan RFC. Groundsman Rhys Cleverly had done a fantastic job preparing the pitch and both sides would have relished playing on such a great surface. A minute's silence was impeccably observed at the start of the game, not only to commemorate Armistice Day, but also to honour Billy Simmons, a long serving player, member, and one time Club Steward who sadly passed away. Diolch to both sets of players and supporters for their respect.

Coming on the back of a tough away game at Penarth, this game was always going to be a challenge for the home side. Llanharan started well, but a well disciplined Taff's defence held them at bay. Both sides traded penalties in the early exchanges - the Taff's Well penalty a beauty from distance from centre Jake Brookes - as the game moved to 3-3.

Llanharan then made their scrum dominance pay and won a series of penalties. With the referee poised to penalise Taff's even further, the home scrum held but Llanharan attacked well out the back and scored a try in the corner. The Llan out half, imperious with the boot all game, added the extras - 3-10.

Taff's fought gamely back and a spell of home team pressure - with home Man of the Match, scrum half Andy Miller pulling the strings - yielded another kickable penalty, once again slotted by Brookes - 6-10.

As the half was coming to a close however, Llanharan hit a hammer blow to the home side, running through the phases and scoring in the corner. Another successful conversion, 6-17.

Into the second half and Llanharan continued to show why they are yet to be beaten in the league this season. A number of strong phases and interplay between backs and forwards, and they were over the tryline again. The score was converted, 6-24. 

To their credit, Taff's defended well with discipline, but could not stop Llanharan scoring a bonus point try midway into the second half. Converted by the peerless outside half, 6-31.

The home support, who had been entertained by some great rugby from both sides, had reason to cheer as a strong Taff's Well attack finally broke Llanharan defence, with centre Rhys Peters crossing the line to score. Unconverted, 11-31.

As the match entered its final throes, some unneccesary handbags from both teams resulted in the referee producing cards and neither team ended the game with 15 men. There was time however for one last away score, Llanharan breaking a tired Taff's Well defence to score. 

The full time whistle- 11-38. Taff's First XV go next against Cowbridge RFC AWAY next Saturday 18 November.

Elsewhere, both the Second XV and Women's XV games were called off. The U12s succumbed to a defeat at Machen, and Taff's Well U15s hosted the District Under 15s tournament, won by Cowbridge RFC.