LEADERS TREORCHY TOO MUCH FOR LLAN
DIVISION ONE EAST CENTRAL TREORCHY .................. 52 LLANHARAN ............... 17
LLANHARAN played almost all the game one man short and were down to 13 for a 10-minute, second-half spell – hardly the scenario for taking on the league leaders.
The fiasco began in the first minute with centre Gareth Dyer trapped under the maul after scurrying back to save a try, went on with prop Joel Ringer seeing red for punching in the 13th minute, and continued as Gavin Parsons was yellow-carded in the second half after a deliberate knock-on.
Small wonder then that the Rhondda boys ran up a big win – yet the margin of victory barely reflected Llanharan’s efforts.
They actually took a lead after the sending off, but a devastating three seven-pointers on the half-hour mark gave them a mountain to climb.
Yet Huw Thomas’s men did not give in easily and enjoyed territorial advantage after the turnaround. In fact, when referee Mr English blew the final whistle the away side were hammering away at the line seeking a fourth bonus-point try.
However, attempts to rebuild after last season’s relegation are again encountering problems. Ringer can expect a ban, while even before the kick-off Jordan Glasby had to be withdrawn after his suspension for a 2nd XV sending off came through, while Lloyd Thomas’s continuing injury meant Gavin Parsons had to take the 10 shirt.
However, it was good to see Jack Pring back after injury, while Lewis Hughes, son of former outside half Oscar, gave a nice cameo as a replacement wing. Back-row man Elys Goode also returned after a long layoff.
Jordan Lloyd gave the Zebras a three-point lead from the first sin binning, but the away team displayed commendable resolve in taking the lead in the 18th minute with Rhys Taylor driving over to end pressure started with Richard Hart’s lineout ball.
But a decisive spell of devastating attacking for Treorchy saw Alex Green, Ryan Evans and Lloyd Williams racing over in just four minutes, Lloyd’s three conversions taking the score to 24-5.
The talented black and white shirts had suddenly revelled in the greater space the sending off gave them.
Gethin Cashmore had gone on to complete the front row complement but it meant the open field ability of Richard Lawrence had to be sacrificed.
Llanharan regrouped to stem the flow, a Stuart Griffiths run typifying their effort, but the fourth try went again to the home team, moving the ball nicely for left wing Ryan Evans to finish, the kick making it 31-5 at half time.
The second half did not start well for Huw Thomas’s men as Parsons was sent to the line and a penalty try awarded for a deliberate knock-on.
Again Thomas rallied his men, and with a home yellow card balancing numbers, strong lineout play brought a try for replacement Morgan Griffiths, Parsons converting.
However, once again the back to full strength Oval team struck to extend their already big lead, a breakthrough in the middle of the park bringing a converted try for Lloyd Williams and a 45-12 score, stretched further as a poor pass was pounced on to present a try for Jacob Lloyd who converted for a personal haul of 19 points.
The last say though went to the Dairymen who launched repeated attacks in the final minutes, Chrissy Poole particularly dangerous, and Gareth Dyer found his way over.
It set up a frenzied effort to grab the bonuspoint try, but the final whistle thwarted them and left them with just the satisfaction of a spirited display against the odds.