Fixture

Tylorstown – 48

Old Penarthians – 5

On a bright sunny afternoon at Penrhys park, Tylorstown lifted the Division 3 East Central B trophy with one game remaining. With an unbeaten home record for over a year, Tylorstown have been the stand out team in this league and fully deserved the title.

Old Penarthians were completely out powered by the champions and the referee blew his final whistle with ten minutes remaining. This game was a reflection of the entire season with Tylorstown’s strong squad of players making an impact. With many injuries this season which accounted for the loss of talented players such as James Groves, Nathan Davies, Sam Davies Lukke Rees and Michael Melhuish, Tylorstown demonstrated that they have a player base that many teams next season will envy. All of the current players, including the injured, have contributed greatly to Tylorstown’s success.

Old Penarthians arrived with a bare 15 and requested that the scrums be uncontested, not for the first time this season. This completely ruined the game as a spectacle even though Tylorstown scored eight tries and the game was a stop start affair. For Tylorstown’s front row of Aiden O’Donaghue, Lee Arundell and Marcus Chapman this was a huge disappointment as they have dominated the scrum all season.

Young centre Jordan Williams was in sensational form in this game until he left the field in the second half with a broken thumb. Williams scored the first try after bursting through the Old Penarthians’ defences showing strength and determination. Outside half Nathan Williams kicked the conversion.

Centre Chris Harris made some telling contributions and scored two tries. He was influencial in the second Tylorstown try with a kick to the corner. Second row Robert Hemming won the line out ball and eventually robust flanker Morgan John crashed over in the corner following a powerful hand off.

Harris’s first try was his best and a purely individual effort. He broke through and beat five defenders with evasive running and countless side steps to cause confusion in the opposition’s scrambling defence.

From the kick off Harris broke the Old Penarthian’s lines and handed to outstanding flanker Adam Phillips who made good yardage until the ball went to ground. Within minutes outside half Williams threw a miss pass to wing Chris Griffiths and looped to receive the pass to score Tylorstown’s bonus point try. Harris converted.

In the second half Old Penarthians scored a break away try, eventually being scored by prop forward Rhys Passiff after Tylorstown were too casual in their own 22 area.

Tylorstown responded with a try from John who again showed his strength and powerful running to ground the ball for his second try. Harris converted.

In the second half, Tylorstown used the bench to great effect. Centre Williams was replaced by Sam Davies who played his first game after breaking his leg at the start of the season. Industrious hooker Lee Arundell left the field to allow Jordan Willis to show his undoubted skill in the last half hour. Player coach Hefford was substituted and youngster Matthew Paul made impact when he came on. O’Donaghue gave way to Robert Wilkins.Young flanker Jake Jones entered the fray and was not found wanting.

Outside half Williams scored again, showing his eye for the break with Harris converting. Soon after captain Chris Lloyd was used as ball carrier, along with prop Marcus Chapman and flanker Phillips. Full back Kieran Richards injected pace into the move but the ball went into touch. From the line out, Paul powered over.

Harris ended the game scoring Tylorstown’s final try after linking well with wing Jamie Davies.

The inspiration behind Tylorstown’s success has been the arrival at the start of the season of former player Mark Davies as head coach. From day one he has instilled that Tylorstown need to spread the ball and the players have carried out his instructions. He has been a breath of fresh air with Tylorstown having numbers training and able to field a second side. With player coach Dai Hefford influencing matters on the field and forward coach Mark Kelland’s high expectations, Tylorstown have become a very good side and will be a test for most teams next season.

Before then, Tylorstown make the short journey to Ferndale on Tuesday to complete their fixtures before travelling to Prague on Friday for the club’s end of season tour.