Llanharan 26 v Pontyclun 17
14th August 2021
Report courtesy of Gareth Nicholas.
In what was a great advert for community rugby, this local derby, between two teams, full of local players, was full of drama, skill and physicality, and left both teams exhausted at the final whistle.
The game started with Llan going through several phases in an opening salvo that displayed brutality in attack and organized discipline in defence.
However, the first points came from the away side as a flowing backline move ended with Pontyclun going over in the corner, for an unconverted try.
Llan hit back straight away with a penalty, only for Pontyclun to hit back with another well worked try, which went unconverted for them to lead 10-3.
From that point onwards the momentum began to shift towards the home team, and just before half time Llanharan’s golden boy, Rhys Dauncey blasted his way over the line for a try, to be converted by the man with the flawless tan.
Half time the score was 10-10 to Pontyclun.
The second 40 started disastrously for the home side with a charge down kick and a sympathetic bounce took the Badger’s score to 17. In front a good crowd, Llanharan began to exert constant pressure which finally, after a few attempts at muscling their way over, creative and accurate passing, resulted in a second try for Rhys Dauncey, who is rapidly becoming a crowd favourite at the Dairy Field.
With the game locked at 17-17, the suffocating pressure applied in both defence, through some huge hits by Sam “the hitman” Campbell and Bill “Crunch” Carey, and with ball in hand, through some bullocking runs by Jack “the fridge” Dauncey, something was bound to give. The chance to take for the first time came when a penalty was awarded 22m out and in front of the posts. However, Owain “Village” Howe, said something to make referee Rob Mota reverse his decision, to which Coach Gareth Nicholas, was seen to shout something which sounded like “clucking bell”. Luckily for Owain it had no bearing on the final result, as the coolest man in the Northern hemisphere, Scott Jones slotted three penalties in the final 13 minutes, to win the game.
Full time – Llanharan 26 - 17 Pontyclun
So it’s 2 wins from 2 for the Dairymen and there is new found optimism that something is being built, even if it will take years to get there.
Andy Price celebrating his 65th birthday was quick to point out the role the forwards in the win, stating, “once again the effort and application of the forwards was the major contributing factor in a hard fought win, and credit must be given to Gareth Nicholas, for ensuring they are a force to be reckoned with.”
Much credit must be given to referee Rob Mota, for allowing the game to flow and refereeing in a style which allowed both sides to play rugby.
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