Llanishen RFC Vs Cwmbran RFC

7 - 0 (4 mins)

The Crows were slow out of the blocks as Llanishen went ahead early in the game, a lineout 15 metres out on the right hand side was quickly passed through the hands for a score outside the left hand post.

After a frantic first 10 minutes with both sides battling for control in the middle of the park, the Crows settled and spent the next 20 minutes camped in the Llanishen half, Michael Davies, Mikhail Blake, Taran Moa and Ieuan Merchant all making strong individual carries but the Crows were slow to take advantage and failed to build on the attacks.

The Crows failed to turn this possession into points, James Sully went closest to scoring finishing off a line out drive, but the ref called it short.

12 - 0 (32 mins)

After weathering the Crows storm, and against the run of play, Llanishen extended their lead with a try very similar to their first.

A line out on the right touch line was passed across the full width of the field and they ran over to score adjacent to the left hand flag

12 - 7 (37 mins)

The Crows gained possession on the halfway, the forwards went through 5 or 6 phases and james Sully scored under the posts.

Converted by Luca Natale

Half Time Score 12 - 7

12 - 14 (48 mins)

A half time team talk and the Crows started the second half a lot brighter.

A line out on the Llanishen 5 metre was knocked down on their side, they were slow to react and Ieuan Merchant collected the ball and went over to score our second try,

Luca Natale scored the conversion to put the Crows in the lead.

Shortly after scoring their try Taran Moa went off with an ankle knock.

Despite taking the lead, the Crows seemed to lose their momentum and needed someone to step up to the plate, take command and galvanise the team.

17 - 14 (58 mins)

Caught of guard on a restart, Llanishen ran past Crows forwards and despite a last gasp wrapping tackle by Rhys Lewis-Meredith potentially preventing the ball from being grounded, Llanishen were awarded a try in the right hand corner.

22 - 14 (62 mins)

A high tackle by Cwmbran around half way, Llanishen kicked to touch 10 metres out, the ball was popped off the top of the lineout and Llanishen went over in right corner.

27 - 14 (68 mins)

A driving lineout 5 metres out, pick and go and another try for Llanishen.

Despite three tries from Llanishen in a 10 minute period, the Crows did not drop their heads and made a game of the last 10 minutes.

34 - 14 (80 mins)

A final attack by Llanishen taking them over the line but failing to touch down was called foul by the referee and he awarded a penalty try.

Full Time Score 34 - 14

This was our final warm up game before we star our league program against NHSOB RFC next week.

Crows guilty of being slow out of the blocks going behind in the first 5 minutes, the knock on effect is that it puts you on the back foot and an uphill battle to get back on level terms.

We had out moments of domination, a 15 minute period of possession in the first half, but we failed to turn this into points, while Llanishen were more clinical and took full advantage of a similar period they had in the second half and were able to score 3 tries which ultimately was the difference between both teams.

On a positive, pre-season games are all about giving the squad game time and this was perhaps the youngest side the Crows have ever put on a field, there were some individual performances, but we need to ensure that these performances lead to scoring opportunities for the team.

Well done to Llanishen RFC and Lloyd Saunders who had a good game for the opposition popping the ball around the field as needed.

The game was lost during a 10 minute period in the second half when the Crows lost all momentum and cohesion, I think with a little bit of PMA and a few natural leaders on the field and this may have been a different result.

Thank you for all of the travelling support, we look forward to seeing at our first league game next week at NHSOB RFC.