FISHER LOOKS FOR POSITIVES AFTER DEFEAT

Pictured are Yr Hendy RFC Under-9s who enjoyed a successful festival hosted by Llangennech on Sunday. The side have been sponsored this season by Commercial Operator Training Solutions. The club’s mini section also have teams at Under-7s and Under-8s and train on a Wednesday evening at Hendy Park at 6pm. New players welcome. LLANELLI head coach Paul Fisher says there were plenty of positives to take from his side’s defeat at the Arms Park.

Cardiff ran in seven tries in a highscoring encounter to claim maximum points, but they were pushed all the way by a resurgent Llanelli side who managed to score five times.

And Fisher was happy to take a try bonus point back down the M4 after a positive first-half display.

“We were really competitive in the first half, I thought we defended very well and put Cardiff under a lot of pressure,” he said.

“I felt in the second half we played in the wrong areas and gave Cardiff a foothold in the game.

“But we scored some fantastic tries towards the end and could, and probably should, have come away with two bonus points.

“I’ve brought teams up here before and not come away with anything. So to take a point away is a positive.”

The opening 10 minutes gave supporters value for money as Llanelli led 17-7.

Ollie Reyland and Ashley Sutton both touched down, with Sutton adding both conversions before Ben Thomas hit back for Cardiff.

Steffan Jones added the conversion, while Sutton added to Llanelli’s lead with a penalty.

A second Sutton penalty on 18 minutes edged the visitors further ahead but Cardiff head coach Steve Law remained calm.

“I was comfortable,” he said. “Annoyed, but comfortable with such a long period of time left.

“The plan didn’t change, we executed the plan and scored next.

“Within eight minutes they scored two tries so they got off to a good start but there was no panic stations then.”

Cardiff found their rhythm midway through the first half and took the lead for the first time thanks to a converted Kirby Myhill touchdown and a penalty try.

There was another quick start after the break as Morgan Allen crossed on 45 minutes, with Jones kicking the conversion.

Ioan Jones and Luke Crocker followed him over the whitewash as Cardiff began to take control, but the visitors provided a late scare when Chris Gorvett followed up a penalty try.

An interception try from replacement Will Rees-Hole looked to have seen off Llanelli’s comeback until Josh Weeds darted over the line in a frantic finale.

But Cardiff held on and managed to secure the win, with Gareth Thompson adding a penalty.

“As soon as we went two scores ahead in the second half we were comfortable,” said Law.

“It was a bit of a spectacle, but was that because of poor defending or good attacking?

“People will make up their own mind up about that, but from Cardiff’s point of view that is four on the bounce.”