Fixture

You Ever Had One of Those Days, Boys?

A post-Christmas morning: the turkey down to the brown meat (curry anyone?), and every one needing to get outside to lose a few pounds and avoid Christmas television repeats.

 ‘The Diamond Ground’ and ‘The Mission’ (should you all accept it) to get the season back on track.

A well judged kick and superb catch by Sam seemed to suggest a focus and desire to get a win on the board. A series of rucks drove the team into the Quins 22 leading to a penalty, which Sam kicked.

A few minutes later a knock to Alex Edward’s head meant a head assessment, which everyone failed as we couldn’t remember date or day! Robin game on to replace him and proceeded to produce his best performance in a Lion’s shirt.

A Quins penalty brought the scores level but Llanishen were quickly on the attack and after a series of phases Gwion broke the defensive lion to score a great individual and team try.

The dangerous Quins backline, supported by great off-loading forwards, soon replied with a fine try of their own.

A fluctuating game saw Sam kick a further penalty but which was answered by another fine Quins try and conversion, taking the home team into the lead.

A few minutes after the score, Gwion stole the ball in a maul and when the ball was moved across the line Al Sams accelerated away from the defence to score in the corner.

Great goal line defence kept the Quins out but with pressure mounting a yellow card heaped even more pressure onto Llanishen. The team held out until half-time but playing into the wind into the second half meant this game was on a knife edge.

Half Time Cardiff Quins 15 Llanishen 18

The first ten minutes of the half brought two tries for the Quins of differing types. The first try was a well controlled catch and drive and the second, to secure a bonus point, was a well-crafted try, involving multiple off-loads and phases.

How would the team react? Well extremely well was the answer as the Lions tore into the opposition, with replacement, Mark Stobbs, upping the tempo.

An urgency and collective sense of purpose allowed Gwion to go over for his second try, after a rather Lovely dummy. The score brought the team to within three points and when Sam kicked a penalty, with ten minutes left, the scores were level.

Both teams had opportunities to grab the win but it was the home side who scored another fine try, involving backs who were always looking for work, and try as the team might they couldn’t add to their total.

Indeed, a sense of déjà vous? So, in answer to the question: Didja ever get? Yes, we have and too many times this season, too.

So, with the tape destroyed, ‘Mission Unaccomplished’.

Final Score:Cardiff Harlequins 34 Llanishen 29

Proverb of the game: Fine Sainsbury’s Egyptian cotton towels don’t always bring good luck (ask Lynchie)

As always it was a pleasure to chat with one of Cardiff High School Old Boy’s (Quins) stalwarts, Dick Pexton (Club President), Paul Driscoll (Chairman) and Chadd Mutyambizi (coach and an extremely good player back in the day. Well he covered a lot of the ground I should have!)

Hopefully the sides will meet again next year but ‘The Lions’ are going to have to find a way to win. It’s not through lack of effort or desire but perhaps the New Year will bring a little bit of luck.