Match Report Llanharan v Rhiwbina:
This weekend saw the Dairymen back in the familiar surroundings of the Dairy Field, as they looked to get back to winning ways following three consecutive defeats. Rhiwbina were the visitors, for the league fixture, which marked captain Scott Jones’ 250th senior appearance for the club. It was the visitors who started on the front foot, meaning that the Dairymen spent most of the first quarter soaking up attacking pressure from their opponents. It was, however, Llanharan who opened the scoring following their first meaningful attack, with Mitchell Jones crossing out wide, to finish off a well worked move, skipper Scott adding the extras. Lackadaisical defence from the restart, saw Rhiwbina flanker Nathan Crothers cross under the posts, with outside half Cam Pike grabbing the extra two points. The remainder of the first half was a scrappy affair, however Llanharan’s set piece enjoyed its best outing of the season, and following a period of sustained pressure, Rhiwbina captain Chris Wiliams saw yellow, shortly before home lock Joe Buckle crashed over under the posts, with Scott again adding the extras. The home team’s lack of discipline in the final few minutes of the first half saw flanker Lloyd Gregory dispatched to the sin bin, and allowed Cam Pike to claw three points back on the stroke of half time. Half time score, Llanharan 14 – 10 Rhiwbina.
The second half commenced with the home side playing all of the attacking rugby, but a series of unforced errors, frustrated their attempts to add to their half time score. However, as the game approached its final quarter, hooker, and player of the match Gethin Cashmore crashed over underneath the posts, to settle the nerves of the Dairymen, the ever-reliable skipper was on target with the conversion. This spurred the dairymen on, and with a spring in their step, they started to play rugby reminiscent of last season. Direct running number eight Ieuan Pring crossed twice in two minutes, and Mitchell Jones slid over for his second, again following a well worked attacking move. Inspirational skipper Scott Jones finished his milestone game with a perfect six from six from the tee, as the Dairymen secured a bonus point win, the final score 42-10 to the hosts. Next week the Dairymen are on the road, as they travel to the land of Gavin and Stacey, to play Barry RFC, hoping to keep up the momentum.
Gareth Morgan
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