Fixture

Abercwmboi RFC | 1st Team 24 - 20 Llanishen RFC | 1st Team
Lee Jarvis
Try 2
Paul Edwards
Conversion 1
Anthony Kemble
Try 1

Match Report
10 December 2018 / Team News

Abercwmboi V Llanishen RFC

What can you say!

A trip to Abercwmboi and on arrival a very warm welcome to what must be one of the best clubhouses in Wales. A terrace to watch the game, attached to the bar, nice. The hillsides verdant after the shutting of the Phurnacite Plant in the late 1980s people need to visit the Aberdare area. Aberdare Park and the Brecon Beacons within a 10 minute drive (Thus endeth the Cynon Valley Tourist slot). 

The pitch, after all the rain, was in superb condition and ideally suited to the style of play ’The Lions’ want to play. The game began in the manner it was to continue for the whole game. Llanishen looking to play an expansive game and Abercwmboi (nickname - The Village) keeping it tight amongst their powerful pack.

Llanishen were looking dangerous and, after a lineout, a line break, by Tom Hannah, and a delicate pop pass let Alex Bourne in for the opening score. The conversion gave The Lions a fantastic platform to build on.

On twenty minutes Llanishen scored their second try. A line break by Shaun and a pass to the supporting Noah drove the team towards the try line. An inside pass and Tom raced in for the try.

Llanishen were looking the better side but opportunities were spurned and it wasn’t until the 33 minute that they scored again. A penalty, conceded 40m from  the Abercwmboi line was stuck sweetly and the ball sailed through the posts.

Abercwmboi’s pack was a powerful weapon and their scrum and line out was functioning well and in the last 5 minutes of the half they were applying increasing pressure which only stout defence kept out.

 

Half Time Abercwmboi 0 Llanishen 15

With Llanishen playing into a strong wind was 15 points enough?

Early in the half a fine kick gave The Village a 5 metre line out. A good controlled catch and drive gave them their opening try in the corner.

Llanishen were still looking dangerous and a delightful dummy, by Elliot, broke the defensive line. Other forwards joined in and drove the maul towards the line only for the ball to be held up.

Abercwmboi then got good field position and again their pack was able to ground down the Lion’s defence and score their second try 12 minutes into the half. This looked as if it was going to be along half.

Five minutes later, however, after a series of phases, and following a break by Alex Bourne, Shaun scored his first try of the season.

The try put Llanishen 10 points clear and for the next 20 minutes it seemed as if the next score would be for the Lions and a bonus point.

A nasty clash of heads between two of the Abercwmboi players and their resulting treatment (both thankfully okay) meant, rightly, a lot of injury time was required.

With 3 minutes left Abercwmboi score a try and conversion to bring them within 3 points. They then gained field position and with three scrums penalised under the Llanishen posts it was no surprise when the referee correctly awarded a penalty try.

The final whistle blew and a heart-breaking loss for players, coaches and supporters alike. The team are so close to securing wins as the results against the top two sides shows. 

The home fans were as stunned as the Llanishen contingent and a number were kind enough to commiserate and praise the playing style of the team.

Abercwmboi is a very welcoming club, from: committee men, programme sellers, coaches and players, and we wish them well for their upcoming games.

A fine boat race performance made the sporting contest 1-1 on the day but I suspect we’d have reversed the results if possible.

Message to Llanishen followers, as Journey sang – Don’t Stop Believing.

Full Time Abercwmboi 24 Llanishen 20

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