News

Jumping Jack Flash It's A G.......G.....Gas!

 

No damp squib as Llanishen move up to fourth in the league following their fourth win in a row. 

A pleasant autumnal day promised a feast of running rugby and we weren't to be disappointed. 

 

The early play had Llanishen on the attack as salvo after salvo had Llantwit on the back foot. A banger of a drive by Lee, good hands by George and a carry by Mike, lit the touch-paper as the ball was moved across the backline for Alex Sams to touch down. The try was well converted, from a difficult angle, by Tom Hannah.

 

 

A fine start but a late arriving prop saw Llantwit gaining the upper hand in the scrums and it was apparent that Llanishen were going to have to use any ball they got.

A great break by Tom, swerving and spinning like a Catherine Wheel, set up a great attack and a pop pass to Noah allowed him to streak, comet like, under the posts. An easier conversion put Llanishen into a fourteen point lead and thoughts turned to a possible bonus point.

 

Llantwit then had a good spell of possession and field position which ultimately led to a successfully kicked penalty.

The penalty count in all ten games played so far this season has been far higher than the opposition and I'm sure it is something the coaches will be looking to address.

The Rocket Man, Sam, then took a fantastic catch from the kick off and the attack that then followed led to a penalty, which Tom kicked. 

 

A penalty for foul play enabled Tom to put the side over two scores clear as half-time approached.

A superb break by Ellis, one of many through the afternoon, and pass to George saw Llanishen threaten to take the game away from Llantwit but a the chance was squandered.

 

Half-Time: Llanishen 20 Llantwit Fardre 3

 

A half time lecture, during which the team were orally, 'hung, drawn and quartered, led to a fired-up team at the start of the half.

Great ball, off the top of a line out, and a break by Ellis gave Richard the opening, which he duly took, to score Llanishen's third try. The conversion gave the team a twenty four point lead. Could they score a fourth try to gain a bonus point?

Llantwit then held the upper hand and a scrum, ten metres out, gave them a chance to cut the gap. A powerful forward drive led to a penalty try and palpitations for the home fans.

 

Llanishen then upped the pace of the game and Max, Noah, Elliot and Gwion got the team on the front foot. Harry took a quick tap penalty and popped the ball to Tom who broke through the defensive line. A kick ahead and kind bounce led to Mike crossing for the fourth try and a bonus point victory.

Fear not readers the team always gives you a period of worry and for the second week running we were playing with thirteen players, rugby league anyone?

Good play by Llantwit, involving forwards and backs, gave the Llantwit right wing to score a try, which was converted.

 

Time for a comeback, no, but Llantwit continued to play expansively, trying to gain a losing bonus point. A knock on by Llantwit brought the game to an end.

Mortar to come from the team, certainly, but the increasing flare demonstrated by the back line is great to watch. The pace of the back row and enthusiasm demonstrated by the younger members, step forward Aran, Elliot, Liam and Josh, promises a bright season and future. 

 

Full-Time: Llanishen 32 Llantwit Fardre 17

 

Postscript

Wonderful to see Gabby pitch side and looking, to quote Tom, increasingly Italian as the colour returns to his face.

Back to the clubhouse but no toffee apples - come on!

The match ended at 16:05 - interesting as the 'Gunpowder Plot' took place in 1605.

Good buzz at the club 

Penarth away, at 1 pm, next Saturday (can the team do an Enid?) gives the team a chance to make it a 'Famous Five' in a row!

Who remembers these banned bad boys?

 

 

 

A Jumping Jack and a Banger Firework