Fixture

On a surprisingly dry afternoon with the pitch in a surprisingly good condition after the heavy rain in the week the Illts kicked off. Pentyrch gathered the ball and kicked the ball back into the Illts half. The Tyrchs were then awarded a penalty which was kicked into touch some 15 metres from the Illts line. The Tyrchs won the lineout, ran the ball really well only to knock the ball on in the tackle. Illts won the scrum and chose to run the ball out so effectively that they soon were camped on the Tyrchs line. Resolute defence kept them out and the Tyrchs were awarded a penalty for their efforts. Rhys Lynch put in a very good kick to touch on the half way. This was shaping up to be a good game with both sides looking to play positive rugby. As I seem to say every week there followed a period of scrappy play containing quite a few knock-ons by both sides. At the last scrum in this period The Tyrchs ran the ball into mid field and following a good run by Nathan Williams were awarded a penalty. Rhys Lunch put in another good kick to touch up to the Illts 5 metre line. The Tyrchs won the resulting line out and pressured the Illts defence. Joe Paddison forced his way over only to be recalled for a lineout to the astonishment of the nearest spectators. Illts won the following lineout but knocked the ball on. The Tyrchs were then awarded a penalty and chose to take it quickly. The Tyrchs were awarded another penalty with the Illts no 14 being shown a yellow card. The Tyrchs chose to take it quickly and following a good kick through which was gathered by Huw Rees were awarded another penalty. The Tyrchs chose to take the scrum and following strong running by David Jones and Nathan Williams were awarded another scrum. The Tyrchs were now looking dangerous and after winning the scrum Chris Moss took the ball on, passed it to Kieran Williams who made ground and passed to Nathan Williams who scored in the left hand corner. The conversion narrowly missed making the score Tyrchs 5 Illts 0.

The Illts restarted the game but the Tyrchs but a good exit from their 22 with Illts having a lineout in their half. The lineout was won and Illts ran the ball positively into the Tyrchs 22 and were awarded a penalty which was converted by Shaun Cochlin. ScoreTyrchs 5 Illts 3.

The Tyrchs restarted the game but were again soon under pressure with Nathan Williams putting in a very good tackle on the Tyrchs Line. The Tyrchs stole the resulting lineout and put in a long kick up field which eventually rolled into touch. The Illts took a 5 man lineout but were penalised for not throwing in straight. The Tyrchs won the scrum, drove the ball forward and were awarded a penalty which was kicked to touch. At the resulting lineout the Tyrchs were penalised for not throwing in straight. There followed another period of scrappy play with both sided being awarded scrums without doing much with the ball they won. Eventually the Illts knocked the ball on in their 22 and following the scrum and a good run by Tom Marley the Tyrchs went through 4 phases before losing the ball. The Illts won the following scrum and after a period of pressure found themselves deep in the Tyrchs 22. Illts won the next scrum and put in a good grubber kick through the Tyrchs defence which was minored by Kieran Williams.

Half Time Score Tyrchs 5 Illts 3. 

The Tyrchs restarted the game and following a good catch the Illts found touch on half way. The Tyrchs won the resulting lineout and ran the ball really well only to unfortunately be called back for a forward pass. The Illts won the scrum and put the Tyrchs defence under pressure. The final pass went astray into touch and following the lineout the Tyrchs found touch on half way. The Illts seemed determined to achieve a try and were again looking strong. Eventually the ball ran loose from a lineout and the Tyrchs backs moved the ball out to left and George Harris was unlucky to see his kick roll out of play. Another period of inconclusive play followed with 4 scrums and 5 lineouts being awarded to both sides. After the last lineout the Tyrchs ran the ball positively only to be bundled into touch 5 metres from the Illts line. The Illts won the resulting lineout but conceded a penalty in their 22. Rhys Lynch kicked the penalty between the posts making the score Tyrchs 8 Illts 3.  

The Illts restarted the game and following a good catch by Chris Moss and a good kick out of defence the Illts were awarded a penalty for one of their players being tackled in the air. The Illts won the following lineout but immediately conceded a penalty. The Tyrchs won the resulting lineout but surprisingly chose to kick possession away with the result that the Illts surged up the field and scored a good try which was converted by Shaun Cochlin.

Score Tyrchs 8 Illts 10.

The Tyrchs restarted the game looking a little shell shocked but were soon back on the attack. The Tyrchs, following three scrums which were reset twice eventually won the ball and moved it through the hands to George Harris who cut inside his man only to be tackled three metres out by the opposing full back. The Tyrchs forwards piled in and forced the Illts to concede a penalty which was kicked to touch at the 5 metre line. The Tyrchs won the lineout and following good pressure caused the Illts to knock the ball on. The Tyrchs won the following scrum and ran the ball down the blindside with Tom Marley putting in Nathan Williams in for a try. The conversion was unsuccessful making the score Tyrchs 13 Illts 10.

The Illts restarted the game at half way and following a good run by substitute Owen Jones were awarded a penalty. The Illts failed to find touch and Nathan Williams ran the ball back supported by his forwards. The ball reached Tom Marley who put a good kick through the Illts defence. The Illts minored the ball and quickly restarted at the 22. The ball was kept in play by the Tyrchs and following some good running they were awarded a penalty. Rhys Lynch checked the time with the referee and after tapping the ball kicked the ball out of play signifying the end of the game.

It must be said that both teams deserve praise for the positive way they played the game.

Final Result Tyrchs 13 Old Illts 10.

With the second xv also making a winning start to the year with they match at Canton cancelled, the team manager Phil Smith managed to get a friendly fixture away against Llandaff RFC and with a 0 - 43 score line all were happy upon their return except Berian Davies who with a clash of heads with one of his own players spent the afternoon at the Heath Hospital with a broken cheek bone to get repaired, get well soon Berian. Next week see them host Cathays RFC in a league fixture

The youth also played at home to Llanishen and a further win 11-5 saw them home dispite loads of players not been available the fixture was fullfilled and thats good for the boys future so keep up the good work all of you. Next week we see them travel to Llantwit Major for a league match.