Fixture

Time for contemplation, the Chinese Way, perhaps.

Confucius, a long time Lion’s fan apparently, said, ‘Without ball you cannot win.’ He, the wise fellow, was absolutely right.

From the kick off Llanishen, playing up the slope, put together a series of phases, including a good open-field run by Adam ‘Tarw’ Nyhan, that ultimately resulted in a penalty. The Lions took a quick tap and drove towards the try line. A knock on brought the movement to a halt (constipation will do that to you) but, my word, Llanishen’s pack drove the Opposition off their own ball!

Happy Days are here again? No, sit down Miss Streisand, it was but an illusion. The penalty conceded was kicked to touch and, alas, it was at this moment a series of line outs lost on our own ball began. No line outs were to be won in the first half (0-10) and, with the Cilfyndd pack gaining dominance in the scrum, a long afternoon of tackling began.

Confucius said, ‘If you don’t take chance then foe will’ and again the old sage was correct.

A period of possession, involving forwards and backs, took the ball into Llanishen’s 22 and it was no surprise when their number 8 scored near the posts.

From the resulting kick-off Llanishen launched an attack of their own but when this broke down in midfield the ball was swiftly moved along the Cilfyndd back line. The left wing rounded the Llanishen defence and scored under the posts.

Fifteen minutes on the clock, it didn’t need a philosopher to tell the travelling fans that things were looking bleak. On twenty minutes things, however, got bleaker still. A concerted series of drives brought up the third try with only a third of the match gone (I’m good at fractions I am!).

Confucius said, ‘When things belly up change something’. The something, in this case was substituting, Frank for Gwion, an attempt to win some lineout ball by changing the thrower.

At this point I digress; it won’t be the first time. It is at times like this that you learn a lot about people, either for the good or bad, and I’m extremely pleased to report it was the former.

It would have been easy for Frank to ‘Spit the Dummy’, fired up as he was for the game, but no. Disappointed, naturally, but only momentarily before he started urging the team on. He took on the roll of water carrier without being asked and was an absolute credit to himself, team and family. Respecto!

Back to the game, and whilst the scrum got better the woes at the line out continued. Llanishen did have some half chances, Alex Edwards making a good break and Swills taking a trademark catch, but equally Cilfyndd had some chances, none of which were taken.

Half Time Cilfyndd 19 Llanishen 0

Confucius said, ‘Turn on the hairdryer’ and said hairdryer laid into the team. Could the team salvage something from the wreckage?

To begin with it didn’t look like it and only super scrambling tackles prevented falling further behind.

On 45 minutes a rare sight, no not a lesser spotted lapwing, but a clean line out and a fine series of phases. Hope (The miserable have no other medicine – thank you Mr Shakespeare  - now be quiet! Measure or no measure!) and with more aggression in the mauls, more ball for the backs.

A great steal by Elliot allowed Robin to break clear but, as was to be the case today, the support runners couldn’t be found.

Twenty minutes to go and some optimistic fools, including your match reporter, felt we could perhaps sneak a losing bonus point.

With fifteen minutes to go George stole a Cilfyndd throw, on their five metre line, and the driving maul that followed gave Llanishen a try.

With Tal, supplying quick ball and a fresh step in the stride, could we narrow the gap to seven points?

Confucius said, ‘Clown’. Chasing the game left holes in the defence and with only a few minutes remaining a kick through was gathered allowing Cilfyndd to gain a well deserved bonus point win.

A loss and things to ponder but one should to remember:

The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.

Confucius (yes, a real quote)

Full Time Cilfyndd 26 Llanishen 5

So we lost a game of rugby but two weeks ago the club, and Llanishen School, received terrible news.

It is with great sadness that I can relate the news, for those of you unaware, of the passing of a great friend of Llanishen Rugby Club.

Martin Wall was always part of a tight family unit consisting of Helen, his wife, and children: Zoe and Scott and whose company was greatly enjoyed, never more so than on International Days.

He was also a massive supporter of Llanishen High School’s rugby teams and relished the days at the Millennium Stadium, revelling in the joyous way the Llanishen teams played the game.

Those of us who enjoyed his company will truly miss him and everyone at the Club wishes Helen, Scott and Zoe our deepest condolences. We are going to miss you, man.

(Martin’s Funeral is on Wednesday, at 3:30, for those who would like to pay your respects.