On a beautiful late Summer's day at the Dairyfield, Llanharan started the game playing down the slope. It wasn't long before Llanharan took the lead with a 50 metre run in from centre Roy Furnival. Unfortunately the conversion was missed. Pontyclun soon replied with a penalty, to make the score 5-3. Llanharan were unlucky to lose Ieuan Evans with a shoulder injury early in the game. The Pontyclun backs had looked dangerous from the start and it was no surprise when they took the lead with a try from inside their own half, which they converted, to make the score 10-5 in the visitors favour. Pontyclun then scored another try from inside their own half, when ex Llanharan player Richard Lawrence broke from a scrum near the halfway line to score. Half Time score Llanharan 5 Pontyclun 15.Llanharan started the second half showing much more intent and were rewarded with a well worked try near the posts for Lloyd Thomas, which Mike Curtis converted to make the score 15-12 to the visitors. Pontyclun then suffered two quick yellow cards, which should have helped Llanharan's cause but a chance to level the score from a penalty was missed. The away side then extended their lead when a kick was charged down leading to a penalty try. Llanharan then had a yellow card of their own, Craig Burton being the culprit. Pontyclun's next try came from turnover ball ,which resulted in a good try in the corner. Llanharan had given their all but the pace of the Pontyclun backs was shown when they scored another try to make the final score Llanharan 12 Pontyclun 36.

I dont think even the most partisan of Llanharan supporters could deny that Pontyclun deserved the win. Their backs had size and pace and had they taken their chances in the first half they could have scored more. Llanharan can take heart from the fact that the pack fought right to the end and were equal to their bigger opponents on the day. The Team must regroup now under Coaches Gareth Nicholas and Andy Price and as long as lessons are learned from this defeat we can still look forward to a positive season.