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10 September 2023 / Team News

Firsts sizzle in six try second half victory

Taff's Well First XV put on a sizzling second half display to score six tries in their opening home fixture of the season to beat a spirited Llantrisant 49-22 in the Admiral Division 2 East Central match.

On a day where Taff's were launching their new "Lions Origin Club" jersey with the help of ex-Wellman, Wales and British Lions centre Steve Fenwick, expectations were high for the First XV to get their first win of the season on the board. The home crowd at Maes Gwyn would have been thrilled with the start Taff's made, scoring from their first break, a clean break in the middle and some simple hands with the centres combining to crash over and score. Outside half Mathew Minty converted and the score was 7-0.

Llantrisant hadn't travelled South to give the home side an easy ride however and were full of energy and endeavour themselves. They quickly got back into the game when a series of forward drives softened the home defence and Llantrisant scored a try from close range. This one was unconvered, 7-5. The away team were certainly on top at this point, and made their pressure count soon after. Having won a penalty a few metres in their own half, they kicked to touch on Taff's 22. There was a textbook lineout and the Llantrisant scrum half saw a gap open in front, which he had no hesitation to dart through and get to the line. Once again the visitors missed the conversion and the score was 7-10.

Taffs were riding their luck at this point and Llantrisant launched attack after attack. However, the home side defended well and go themselves back into the game when Calyde Mullock, impressive all around on his way to a Man of the Match performance, made a break centre field. He offloaded to centre Tom Cattle who was tackled high by the scrambling defence and Taff earned a penalty. Captain Ethan Prescott pointed to the posts and outside half Mathew Minty dually converted. 10-10.

Still Llantrisant came though and they scored the next try of the game. After a period of pressure a deft kick to the corner and the away winger stripped the Taff's defence to dot the ball over the line. Once again, the Llantrisant outside half's range was off and the try was unconverted, 10-15.

The to-and-fro nature of the half still had one more twist however. With the clock ticking down to 40, Taff's found themselves on the attack into Llantrisant territory. Another high tackle indiscretion enabled Taff's to kick for the corner. From there, they launched another series of attacks on the Llantrisant line, and, with the defence stretched, the home side scrum half danced over to score. Minty failed with the conversion, and it was 15-15 at the break, a much needed breather after the breakneck pace of the opening 40 mins in unseasonable heat.

It was Llantrisant who came out firing after the break. After another excellent restart had caused chaos in the Taff's forwards - a feature of their play all game - the away team regathered possession and were quickly on the attack. A series of hard carries into the Taff's Well 22, and the Llantrisant team were banging on the door, with the Taff's Well defence doing all it could to hold firm. The break came however when a lovely miss pass down the blind side wrongfooted the home defence for the Llantrisant second row to score in the corner. Remarkably, the toughest conversion of the day was slotted, and Llantrisant were ahead again, 15-22.

The scoring didn't slow down however and, with a raft of interchanges by both sides, Taff's seized back momentum. Some strong defence turned into attack with an impressive bust by Mullock, who combined well with the outside backs to get into Llantrisant territory. After a series of forward drives, substitute centre Mathew Wright saw acres of space and provided an excellent cross-field kick for his centre partner to gather and score. Minty failed with the conversion, and it was 20-22.

The home side must have sensed the tide was turning and, buyoed by the onlooking greats Steele and Fenwick, they came in waves at Llantrisant from the restart. Minty saw some space in behind and planted a great kick to touch. A mistake from the defensive lineout allowed substitute second row Luke Richards to gather and cross for the home team's bonus point try. Minty added the extras, 27-22.

Llantrisant came again with another excellent restart however and put the home side under great pressure as they looked to come back once more. Taff's Well, now buoyed by a roaring home Maes crowd, weathered the storm and broke out themselves. Another turnover from a lineout and the ball was spun wide for the Taff's Well wing to score. Minty missed the conversion but the home side now had clear daylight, 32-22.

Llantrisant had battled all game but their resolve and weary bodies were being tested in the last quarter by an inspired Taff's Well, who came straight back at them with some nice interplay in the backs setting up a strong position in the Llantrisant 22. The forwards trundled the ball up a few more yards before some impressive handling found Captain Ethan Prescott who went over from 5 metres. Minty slotted the conversion and the score was suddenly 39-22.

From the restart Taff's came piling forward again. A great break from Mullock and deft hands releasing the centres, who had combined excellently all day, and the final pass went to fullback Tom Cattle who went over in the corner. Conversion was missed, 44-22.

In the dying moments of the match there was still time for one more home team try to top off an exceptional second half performance - this time another break through the middle and a well timed pass to Cattle who had his second in as many minutes. Unconverted, the score ended 49-22.

A great day at the Maes and a fitting way to christen the new jerseys.

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