A perfect day greeted the Llwchwr and Cardiff squads for this DC Thomas Cup 1st round fixture.
It was clear from the outset that Llwchwr (a team who have always been regulars in the latter stages of the DC Thomas Cup competitions) were eager to impress and were on the field early practising their moves. Cardiff, reigning champions, were also in a good frame of mind and keen to defend their title following an excellent start to the 2010/11 season.
A perfect day greeted the Llwchwr and Cardiff squads for this DC Thomas Cup 1st round fixture. It was clear from the outset that Llwchwr (a team who have always been regulars in the latter stages of the DC Thomas Cup competitions) were eager to impress and were on the field early practising their moves. Cardiff, reigning champions, were also in a good frame of mind and keen to defend their title following an excellent start to the 2010/11 season.
A perfect day greeted the Llwchwr and Cardiff squads for this DC Thomas Cup 1st round fixture.
It was clear from the outset that Llwchwr (a team who have always been regulars in the latter stages of the DC Thomas Cup competitions) were eager to impress and were on the field early practising their moves. Cardiff, reigning champions, were also in a good frame of mind and keen to defend their title following an excellent start to the 2010/11 season.
Llwchwr A 0 Cardiff A 34
The opening exchanges showed that both teams very well matched. Outstanding defence from the home side thwarted a series of Cardiff attempts to run the ball wide.
The Cardiff forwards, led by skipper Joseph Melhuish, gradually began to gain the upper hand in the set piece and were able to provide a plentiful supply of ball to their backs. Following seven or eight phases of play, the deadlock was broken when the excellent Jake Hillman broke the Llwchwr defence to feed full back Thomas Bevan to dive over.
Superb defensive play from both sides saw no tries for around 20 minutes. The levels of commitment on show were extraordinary with the Llwchwr half backs keen to move the ball wide to their elusive left winger. Only excellent organisation in defence prevented any score. A series of courageous cover tackles from Ioan Davies, Dylan Rigby, Lewis Jameson, Osian Rogers and the tenacious Fergus Hodgson kept the Llwchwr attacks at bay.
Although Cardiff came close on a number of occasions, only one more try was scored to leave the half time tally at nil – 12.
The second half saw the introduction of a number of fresh legs and the Cardiff forwards began to take the game by the scruff of the neck. They rucked effectively with Jay Jones, Oscar Notley and James Skene picking and driving well. Powerful props, Nathan Crothers and Jack Watkins also added strength to the Cardiff pack although it must be noted that the away side never fully had it their own way.
With ten minutes of the second half gone, substitute prop, Harry Gale, drove on. He set the ball well for the flood gates to open. Further Cardiff tries came from Callum Findley (x2), Thomas Bevan, Deio Hughes and Alex Morgan. These, together with the conversions by outside half, Sam Brinkley, left the final score at 34 points to nil in Cardiff’s favour.
Man of the Match – Scrum half Joshua Nolan; his best game in Cardiff colours to date.