Please Sir Can I have Some More?

10.12.16: WRU PLATE 3rd ROUND

No truth in the rumour that the annual ‘Bog Snorkelling Championships’ had been moved from Builth Wells to Usk Road but, by the end of the match, it could have been!

Was it worth waiting for? If we live ‘till eighty-four

Well perhaps not but the eagerly awaited match between Llanishen (Lions) and Rhiwbina (Squirrels) certainly wetted the appetite. Rhiwbina play in the league above Llanishen at present but this certainly wasn’t evident in the first ten minutes of the match as Llanishen played with the tide in the first half.

The kick-off return by Alex set the tone as players threw themselves into tackles, rucks and mauls.

Harry aka ‘The Artful Dodger’ was commanding the team and a series of box kicks gave Llanishen good field positions. Rhiwbina, however, had the first opportunity to score after Llanishen infringed at the scrum. The resulting kick drifted wide of the posts and it seemed to galvanise the team’s efforts.

Super pressure resulted in the ball being charged down and the ball being was deftly picked up by Nigel who ran clear to score in the corner.

A fine kick into Rhiwbina’s 22 created pressure and, from a scrum, the attempted clearing kick was charged down allowing Lewis to score Llanishen’s second try. The Llanishen crowd was now reviewing the situation. Hope at the start of the match was now replaced by a genuine feeling that an upset was doable.

The half couldn’t get any better could it? Well, yes it could and with probably the best Llanishen move of the match Gwion scored a super try which Tom converted.

With the score at 17-0 even Fagin (Gareth Nicholas) would have smiled but in the final five minutes a fine break by the Rhiwbina backs led to a try under the posts and the resulting conversion meant that the Llanishen crowd’s collective blood pressure was raised.

Walshie had got through two shirts, both ripped, and Mr Bumble (Mac) reliably informed me it was because they had been tumble-dried. The things you learn standing on the touchline! The second ripped shirt was actually reminiscent of a Vivienne Westward creation but the slashed sides didn’t help whilst propping.

We may well have picked Rhiwbina’s pockets for two of the tries but the passion and intensity shown by the Llanishen team gave encouragement but could they keep it up?

Half-Time - Llanishen 17 Rhiwbina 7

Rhiwbina certainly had the better of the second half as Llanishen played the first ten minutes with fourteen men. Rhiwbina threw everything into attack a deservedly scored a second try. There was a great deal of time remaining and the momentum seemed to be swinging towards the away team. It was time to see if, and with due deference to John Glenn, if the boys were made of ‘The Right Stuff’.

The attacks became more frenzied and the defence out wide and especially in the ruck and maul areas was extremely impressive. All of the players were putting their bodies on the line and I’m sure there are a lot of sore bodies this morning.

With time running down a nasty collision between Tom and Charlie held the game up but from the ensuing scrum Llanishen stole the ball and kicked it of the pitch to claim a memorable victory.

On a clear day the result may have been different but frankly who cares. The teams had to play in the same conditions and it was a proud team and coaching staff who were applauded from the field of play. The Llanishen supporters certainly considered themselves lucky to have witnessed a titanic struggle between the local rivals.

Those of a certain vintage will recognise the photograph below but can you name the three lions next to Fran Cotton?