DIVISION THREE EAST CENTRAL B
CANTON ...................... 17 TYLORSTOWN ............ 17
TYLORSTOWN first and second teams resumed action after three weeks of inactivity due to bad weather and international fixtures with a journey to the capital to play Canton’s first and seconds, however the tone of these games were decided six days before any side set foot on the rugby field, when Canton contacted Tylorstown saying that even though they could field two sets of teams for the games on the weekend both games would have to start with passive scrums due to a number of front row injuries.
They offered to rearrange the fixture but Tylorstown felt that they needed to play the game because of a worrying amount of backlog fixtures that were building up.
The game started well for the away team with flankers Adam Phillips and Morgan John driving into the Canton backs which led to the first penalty of the day being awarded to the valleys side. Tylorstown elected to kick for the corner and a fine kick by outside half Chris Harris left the tigers 5 metres from the home team’s line. From this the Tylorstown forwards, led by captain Chris Lloyd, drove towards the Canton line and only great defence by the Canton pack stopped the away team from crossing the whitewash.
The ball was then worked to Chris Harris whose cross-field kick was just out of reach for wing Kieron Richards to touch down in the corner. The home team then worked their way up deep into Tylorstown’s half and were rewarded with a penalty which was slotted over for the first points of the game.
Great driving by David Hefford and Mathew Paul allowed the ball to be moved out wide where great handling skills by second row Rob Hemming released wing Jamie Davies into open space but Canton’s covering tackle by their impressive flanker, turned the ball over which led to the home team’s fullback running 50 metres for a breakaway try which was converted, very much against the run of play. The home team were very adept at ripping the ball and turning possession over in the contact area, this happened time and time again which caused much frustration between players and supporters alike.
On the resumption of play, strong runs by Marcus Chapman and fellow prop Ashley Thomas yielded Tylorstown another penalty which they again elected to go for touch. From the lineout Chris Lloyd with the help of his forwards drove across the Canton’s try line only to be deemed held up over the line.
The away team with their impressive forwards were now getting on top and when the ball was moved to the backs, great work by Chris Harris put centre Scott Thomas through under the posts, Chris Harris converting.
For a short period, the Cardiff side had the upper hand but great defence by both backs and forwards kept the home team at bay. Lively centre Jordan Williams was a constant threat with his jinking runs and linked well with both his centre partner, Scott Thomas and full back Chris Griffiths. In a period dominated by the away team both Rob Hemming and Marcus Chapman crossed the line only for their tries to be disallowed.
The second half started much the same as the first with Tylorstown having the better of territory and possession but there was always a significant threat from the home team. Chris Lloyd, aided by his forwards crossed the Canton line but yet again he was held up by some great home defence.
The young tigers scrum half Dylan Lewis made a great kick and catch which kept the home team pegged in their own half. The pressure on the Cardiff team began to tell and a loose throw on their own line, by the home team’s hooker was caught by David Hefford, who crossed the line unopposed, the conversion out wide was missed. Tylorstown were now playing a more fluid and expansive game and the next try was a cracker, both forwards and backs were involved and used great handling skills to put Mathew Paul over in the corner, the difficult conversion out wide was missed.
Big hits by Chris Lloyd and Morgan John put the home team on the back foot and it looked like the league leaders were coming away with a well-deserved win but that was not to be, with two minutes remaining and Tylorstown attacking through their backs the ball was intercepted and the Canton centre went under the posts for a converted try to draw the game level.
Although Tylorstown had their chances to win this game with ease, the fact that the game started with passive scrums had a major influence on the result. The second team came away with an impressive 26-0 win.
Tylorstown firsts’ next game is at home to Treherbert.