Fixture

Phew!

 

When the season started with two wins it looked like a top half finish was likely but things didn’t pan out that way. A game against the bottom side, Llanharan, gave the team a chance to cement their place in the league for next season.

Llanharan, a club with a proud tradition, arrived with only fourteen men, albeit with four props, would then put up a fight? Indeed they did! They did their club proud with the collective effort and encouragement they gave to one another. Inspirational stuff that sport can throw up Llanishen RFC wishes you good luck next season as you try to turn the Club around.

 

To the match and a sunny day with a breeze blowing, for a change, towards the Wolf’s Castle end. A day made for running rugby.

 

A good catch from the kick-off by Tom Barr gave Llanishen early possession but Llanharan then had the better of the next five minutes. A Llanharan attack faltered as the departing Tom Hannah intercepted a pass and ran 60 metres to score.

With Llanishen on the attack Tal put a delightful kick behind the defensive line, which Noah collected. He ran 35 metres before giving a scoring pass to Shaun on the wing (how did he get there I hear you ask!). A great kick, from the touchline, added the two points and meant the Lions were half way to a bonus point, after 10 minutes.

Llanharan, utilising the strength they had in the forwards, and led by their play making scrum half drove towards the Lion’s line. Multiple drives and rucks brought a deserved try.

 

From the kick-off Swills tapped the ball back and a stable platform gave the backs the chance to spin the ball. Tom then kicked the ball into the corner and Al Sams was on hand to score the third try.

Shortly after it was comedy time as Tal put a kick through, which Milo and Sam chased, Magnificent Milo (made up horse name) then managed to trip/fall as if jumping The Canal Turn at Aintree. It didn’t put Sam off though and he raised over for the bonus point try.

Was it time for Llanharan to fold, perhaps? Not a bit of it. A concerted drive, from the Lion’s 22, created constant pressure and a correctly awarded penalty try, for bringing the maul down.

 

A wonderful passage of play soon followed as a great dive, by Ryan, passing by Woody, Elliot and a final delivery to Tom allowed him to go under the posts.

Ten minutes to half-time and almost all of it positive for Llanharan. Good drives and interplay between the forwards and backs allowed two, team tries, to be scored.

A good scum and break by Gwion allowed the ball to be passed to Milo to score the final try of the first half.

 

Half Time: Llanishen 38  Llanharan  24  

 

The kick off, to start the half, was cleared only to the Llanharan 22 and a catch and drive gave Elliot the chance to break and score in the left and corner. The conversion beautifully kicked by Tom.

 

The game was opening up as the Llanharan side tired. Multiple phases, involving Harry, Sam, Woody and Tal created space for Swills to score his second try.

Back came Llanharan and, keeping the ball tight, drove the ball over from the 22.

Entering the last 15 minutes and Llanishen finally were able to break the stout defensive line. A 65 metre break gave Tom a third and emphasised how we are going to miss him next season.

 

A solid scum and good passing then saw Ross score. The subsequent kick-off didn’t go 10 so a scrum resulted. From the scrum space was opened up for Milo to get Llanishen’s eleventh try.

 

In the last minute a great break from a scrum allowed Milo to pop a pass to the hard working Mike Rose. The conversion brought the game to a close.

 

Full Time: Llanishen 76  Llanharan  31  

 

PS – As mentioned in the report good luck to Llanharan for next season. Gareth Nicholas is a great coach so hopefully he can work some magic.

A number of teams haven’t come back to the Club after a game but Llanharan did, in the true spirit of the game. Thank you!