DIVISION THREE EAST CENTRAL A
LLANDAFF .................. 10 PONTYCLUN ............... 38
THE Badgers registered a second 30-plus points win over Llandaff in the space of three weeks, inflicting a six-try drubbing on Saturday.
They were ahead after a mere five minutes with fullback Tom Green crossing for a try. However the conversion attempt was pushed wide by Nicky Theaker. Fifteen minutes in they grabbed their second. Following a controlled drive to the Llandaff line from a scrum ten metres out, No 8 Lloyd Rose dropped onto the ball as it crossed the line. It was fully deserved as the referee had ruled out an identical effort seconds earlier, adjudging that the ball had been “held up” when it appeared Rose had completed a score. Theaker added the extras and Pontyclun led by 120.
Either side of the 30-minute mark, Pontyclun struck for two more tries. Both came from crisp back play with Nicky Theaker crossing first, followed by Rhys Morgan touching down under the posts. Theaker booted over both conversions and the bonus-point win was all but secured at this stage. Moments later Pontyclun received the first of three yellow cards issued by a rather pedantic referee, who adjudged Rhys Morgan to have deliberately and illegally intercepted an attempted pass between Llandaff players as they attacked the Pontyclun try line. Despite being down a man, Pontyclun held their line for the remaining seven or so minutes remaining up to half-time.
Immediately following the restart, Pontyclun received their second yellow after Rhys Williams was sin-binned for foul play at a lineout. Llandaff pounded away at the Pontyclun try line but the Badgers forwards showed immense fortitude in defence and repelled everything that was thrown at them. Indeed they relieved the pressure and broke downfield and increased their lead from a try by Gareth Hooke, which Theaker converted, to stretch the lead to 33-0. Tom Green then became the third player to receive a yellow for a technical infringement, but Rhys Williams returned to the action at that juncture, having served his “punishment”, so they remained with 14 players on the pitch. Llandaff then opened their account for the afternoon when their speedy full back Ieuan Turner crossed for a try with outside half Rhys Edmondson striking the crossbar from the conversion attempt.
As the game entered its final stages, both sides registered one more try. Winger Sam Davies continued his fine run of form, crossing wide out on the left following a good break by Nicky Theaker and Llandaff grabbed a late consolation to bring the final score to 38-10. Whilst the Pontyclun back division displayed their attacking skills, it was the forward effort on the day which contributed immensely to the victory.
The front row of Teifion Jones, Sam Barclay and Morgan Bosanko controlled the scrums and put in many hits in the tackle, whilst the back row of Lloyd Rose, Jordan Christopher and Ryan Williams, hunted as a trio in the loose and turned the ball over on several vital occasions, with the side under pressure.
The Badgers continue their fine recent form and next face an away trip to Old Illtydians on Saturday, April 21.