Fixture

Dowlais RFC | 1st Team 27 - 19 Llanharan RFC | 1st Team

Match Report
08 February 2017 / Team News

Dowlais RFC 27 Llanharan RFC 19

WRU LEAGUE DIVISION 1 EAST CENTRAL.
 
DOWLAIS 27PTS. LLANHARAN 19PTS. (pics in Gallery thanks to @Sameoldsmiths)
 
After a disappointing run of league and cup results The Dragons got back to winning ways on Saturday by gaining a league double over Llanharan RFC.
 
This was a much improved Dowlais performance played on the 4G pitch at Merthyr's Wern ground, due to the Dowlais pitch being waterlogged,
 
Dowlais seemed to take to the surface quicker than the visitors and attacked at every opportunity, the 4G surface certainly made for a qhicker game and the runners on both sides were enjoying it.
Dowlais were making in roads into the Llanharan defence, and going close on several occasions.
The opening came from a move off the training ground with the ball passed at speed through the backs, and an inside pass from Lloyd Hynes to fullback Tom Griffin to cross under the posts, Lloyd Hynes converting, and quickly adding a penalty.It was all Dowlais at this point in the game and a pin point kick by Lloyd Hynes for wing Bleddyn Rees to pick  up on the bounce out pace the defenders and run around to touch down under the posts, Lloyd  Hynes adding the extras.
With half time approaching Dowlais were worthy of their 17-0 lead, when the Dowlais captain Adam Cullen red carded for a dangerous tackle, Llanharan sensing blood were held up by a defensive Dowlais scrum on their line and the Dowlais pack won the penalty to clear their lines for the  half time whistle.
Dowlais now had to play the second half with 14 men, and would need a brave never say die effort from all 14 players.
Lloyd Hynes opened the second half with a penalty, but Llanharan sensing this  was their chance to make the extra man advantage pay, and this they proceeded to do with the ball being thrown about to great effect,and their first score came when a Dowlais clearance was charged down allowing the Llan haran backs  to spread the ball and the wing going over in the corner.Dowlais hit back when man of the match lloyd Hynes broke clear linking with wing Bleddyn Rees who out paced the retreating Llanharan defenders for his second try, Lloyd Hynes converting.
With 14 man Dowlais 27-5 in front   it seemed that they were  nearly there , but Llanharan were not in that frame of mind and produced some good back play and started to claw their way back into the game with a converted try under the posts.
The Dragons should have gained a 4th try and bonus point when a superb boot chip in to spave by Bleddyn Rees saw fellow wingman Jake Howard gather the ball in the open space for a free run to the line only to be wrongly judged offside by the referee.
Dowlais now had to put their bodies on the line and this they did with young Harvey Thomas leading the way and seemed to be every where and tackling any llanharan player with the ball.
The extra man advantage was taking its toll and Llanharan scored a converted try to bring them  wiithin range of an away win.
Dowlais now had to up their tackling and with the line there for crossing time and time again the Llanharan attackers were held up with several try saving tackles form every defender.There was more drama to follow when the Dowlais wing was yellow carded leaving Dowlais with 13 men to defend the final 5 minutes, and this they did to record this worthy win and their first double of the season.
This victory was much needed for Dowlais and it is difficult to mention individuals when they all played their part in defending their try line for over 40 minutes with 14 men
Players Fixture player info not published.
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