Llanharan left to rue missed opportunities
DIVISION ONE EAST CENTRAL
THIS was a defeat that left Llanharan looking over their shoulders at the drop spots.
They still hold a 14-point advantage over Cardiff Quins in the second from bottom place, but they will be anxious to register a few more victories before the campaign ends.
Their supporters will need no reminding that established clubs like Tondu and Blackwood suffered the same relegation fate in the Championship prior to their own demise last year, and proceeded to fall through the hatch into the second division the year after.
However, there was no denying the Quins their victory and a bonus point as well, a result which boosted their own chances for avoiding relegation.
And there was no doubt after this showing that the Dairyfield men will have to quickly learn to perform without their talisman skipper Huw Thomas.
The brave No 8 was floored by a blatant illegal tackle at Dowlais only to commendably, but perhaps unwisely, carry on.
He declared himself fit for the Ystrad Rhondda match two weeks later only to suffer pain again playing the only way he knows in taking the battle physically to the opposition, and was again forced to exit early.
Only this time, the medical diagnosis showed a dislocated shoulder and a premature end to the season, a poor return for his selfless commitment.
It meant that in the Rhondda on Saturday they were without the former Cardiff University man’s ball-carrying presence as well as his abrasive defensive play.
Llanharan backs’ coach Kevin Jones had no complaints about the outcome however.
“It just didn’t happen for us,” he said.
“We played ourselves into threatening positions a number of times but could not finish off, while Porth were expert at defending their own line and then taking full advantage at other end.
“But we take it one game at a time and face leaders Treorchy on Saturday, when we will have worked hard this week on rectifying the weaknesses.”
On a heavy pitch the power of the home pack brought two tries, though one of the others was as good a score as would grace any encounter.
Llanharan had a lot of the second half play but lacked composure and sometimes physical presence.