BUCS - SPORT 35
gairrhydd | SPORT@GAIRRHYDD.COM MONDAY NOVEMBER 16 2009
Cardiff 1sts 8 - 3 Hartpury College 2nds Cardiff overcame last week's loss to UWE to take the scalp of tabletoppers Hartpury College 2nds, in a game that saw their forwards come of age It wasn't until the 14th minute of the second half, with the score level at 3-3, that Cardiff managed to add to the successful long-range penalty kick from returning fly-half Olly Jenkins. When it felt like the first side to score would run away with the game, it came down to some neat work from the ever-present Harri Wynn-Morgan to do the business. He bamboozled the defence with a trademark show-andgo from 30 metres out and exploited a two-man overlap to send centre partner Max Woodward over for a try. Jenkins's conversion attempt just drifted wide, and the fear was always there that all Hartpury needed was a
converted try to cause heartbreak for the home team. It was convenient, then, that Cardiff's forwards managed to dominate up front, turning the ball over whenever it counted against what was ostensibly a bigger pack. A maelstrom of bodies on the ground invariably resulted in the ball ending up in scrumhalf Joe Casella's hands, much to the team's delight. The exchanges were brutal and ensured that the physio's attention was needed for more than just the purpose of providing eye-candy for the beleaguered players. True, for most of the game, Cardiff were outstanding in attack and defence inside their own half - but not so much in their opponents'. It was a rare treat for them to break into Hartpury's neck of the woods, and often they were content to use the boot of Jenkins (whose spiralling kicks were, admittedly, pleasing to the eye) to up the territory percentage. But they took their chance when it came and clung onto the lead for dear life. When the away team did threaten to sneak a win at the death with a lineout on Cardiff's 5-metre line, the ball fell
into the hands of a grateful Jordan Wood. His subsequent interlink passing with Ross Grimstone averted any danger by taking the ball out of the danger zone and up to the halfway line - it would have made a Fijian Sevens team shed a tear. Cardiff's willingness to keep the ball alive using sensible offloads was heartening. It is apt that Hartpury is a college renowned for its equine facilities, because at times their backs played like blinkered shire horses. Then again, on the rare occasion they did attempt to attack down the flank, they were invariably ushered into touch by a committed defence. The aerial counterattack from Jack 'Varsity' Beaman was always as good as its chase by a hungry back three. Backs coach Derek Laing was unreserved in commending the team, but singled out a few individuals: "Dan Lewis was absolutely fantastic, as was Rob Forrest on the wing with his cover tackling. Olly Jenkins was also good in the second half when he wasn't kicking into a gale force wind!" It seems that the red and white monster is slowly awakening.
Cardiff knock Aberyswyth for six Holleigh Marsh Sports Writer
Cardiff Ladies FC 1st 6 - 0 Aberystwyth Ladies FC Cardiff 1sts maintained their promising start to the season with another excellent performance and another clean sheet. Aberystwyth made life hard for Cardiff in the opening ten minutes as they sat back and defended everything Cardiff could throw at them, with the Aberystwyth goalkeeper making a number of fine saves. However, once the deadlock was broken there was
only going to be one winner. Elisabeth Dale’s hard work down the left wing was rewarded as her effort squeezed between the goalkeeper and near post. Jen Fildes then doubled Cardiff’s lead with another near post effort from the right hand side. Fildes then saw another strike come back off the cross bar before half time. Cardiff were disappointed to only convert two of their numerous chances in the first half, but made amends for this with a far more clinical second half display. Fildes saw another strike rebound off the crossbar but soon tucked away her second of the game after loud pen-
alty claims were waved away by the referee. Fildes was quickest to react to the loose ball to beat the goalkeeper from close range. Sophie Gidley then got on the score sheet with a fine strike from the edge of the 18-yard area. Excellent interplay on the edge of the area between Steph Smits and Gidley saw the latter finish excellently with her left foot for her second of the game. Fildes then saw her third shot rebound off the cross bar, before Georgia Copsey rounded off the tally with a powerful header from a corner. Cardiff 1sts next face Glamorgan in two weeks time.
Cobras' sting stuns muddogs James Fooks Sports Writer Cardiff Cobras 99 - 0 Bangor Muddogs This weekend saw the first action in the British Universities American Football League – with the Cardiff Cobras in action against new kids Bangor Muddogs. Having had a successful preseason of training, the Cobras were confident of victory going in to this match, but also unsure what sort of a threat the Muddogs would pose. The Cobras won the coin toss and started well with running back Deji Ali returning the opening kick
off to around midfield. The Offence then took to the field and within three plays had already put points on the board – Touchdown scored by Deji Ali and extra point added by kicker Tom “Keane” Wilson. After successfully taking down the Bangor kick returner on their own four yard line, the Cobras solid defence did it’s job making tackles for losses, sacks and forcing the Muddogs to punt the ball away on the fourth down of their first series. The red-hot offence, led by quarterbacks Gareth Thomas and Gareth Humphreys, continue to rip apart the Muddogs defence throughout the match scoring ten Touchdowns before half-time and making 530 total yards of offence – passing and run-
ning the ball – throughout the game. The defence continued in much the same way as the opening drive, blitzing the Muddogs line, creating havoc in the backfield, intercepting the Bangor QB’s passes and making tackle after tackle after tackle. The Cobras allowed only one first down all match and congratulations go to linebacker Ollie Devon for getting MVP after making a ton of tackles and recording an interception. “It was a great performance all round,” said Coach Dave Pruett. “Both sides of the football executed well, but there’s still work to be done and improvements to be made. We’ve sent a message to the League with this performance, but it’s only one match out of eight.”
Always keep your eyes on the ball
2nds secure success Dominic O'Loghlen Sports Writer Cardiff FC 2nds 2 - 1 Aberyswyth Cardiff 2nds dominated Abersywyth in an unflattering 2--1 win. Cardiff faced a well organised, well drilled Aberystwyth first team. Cardiff were clearly the better side in the first forty-five minutes, but the all important goal just wouldn’t come despite good efforts from Edwin Bowers and Nathan Jones. Cardiff started the second half brightly with the midfield duo of Steven Trythell and Alled Jones pulling the strings. Despite Cardiff’s dominance, Aberystwyth got a corner on seventy minutes and after a goal mouth scramble the ball ended up in the back of the net. The goal seemed to ignite Cardiff’s passion, resulting in Trythell scoring with a deft header at the front post within five minutes of Cardiff conceding. Cardiff continued to press after
the re-start with full backs Jake Akins and Dominic O’Loghlen getting forward at every opportunity, but all of Cardiff’s efforts were beaten away by the inspired Aberystwyth Goal keeper. On ninety minutes however Cardiff’s centre back Thomas Poole won the ball at the back and released Cardiff’s right wing Bowers to deliver a cross which was superbly hooked in by Paul Barns. The final whistle blew shortly after, followed by rapturous applause. PHOTO: CHRISTINA MACKIE
Sebastian Barrett Sports Writer
PHOTO: CHRISTINA MACKIE
Cardiff regain their winning ways
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Cobras destroy muddogs