Clwb vs Cowbridge

 

 

 

 

 

Gem 1 : 5-2 Charlie Eben

Gem 2: 5-3 Charlie Osian Ffred

Managers Seren y Gemau : Cai B

 

So Sunday arrived again. We went from playing Cowbridge away, to playing Cowbridge and Brecon away, to playing Cowbridge and Brecon at home to playing just Cowbridge at home.

 

The Cowbridge team was stacked with talent, apparently up to 9 of the Cowbridge players being selected for the regional schools team. Yet despite the challenge ahead, everyone was buoyant and looking forward to the contest. Clwb dan 11’s seems to have developed a positive attitude no matter the task at hand.

 

And again we started off well, Charlie going over for the opening try with his signature hard running. Eben also scored impressively to leave us all square at half time. A few individual mistakes in the second half led Cowbridge taking and stretching the lead, a lead that never relinquished. The first match ended 2-5.

 

The 2^nd game mirrored the first, Charlie scoring early and Osian and Ffred getting onto the scoreboard. Yet Cowbridge again pounced on individual efforts with Clwb giving away interception tries and the like; which ultimately took the game away from Clwb. The game ended 3-5.

 

But it was far from doom and gloom, there was still a lot to celebrate. For one, Clwb started to look more structured, especially in the back line. You could see the backline evolve throughout the match, they were certainly working better than a few other backlines that weekend. I can’t wait to see it develop further.

 

Bethan was great at getting the ball out of the ruck quickly which allowed the team some go forward; and Cai B’s strong ‘Jamie Roberts-eque” running created opportunities for others throughout both matches.

 

 

 Onwards and upwards Clwb.

 

Ymlaen

 

 

Mel's Ghost Walk

The faint but unmistakeable sound of Ray Parker Juniors biggest hit drifted from several of the arriving cars that transported the bravest members of the C.R.C.C. under 11's team to the sponsored ghost walk around Pontcanna fields.

As the children waited for the start of the walk, delicious rocky roads (diolch Haf) and sweets were furiously devoured. Whilst Dr Rob gave a in-depth and scientifically sound lecture on why fire needs oxygen to survive. He might have to correct me but I think it was something along the lines of 2H₂  +O₂--> 2H₂O.

But I digress...
It was a cold and dark night, the mist rolled up off the Taff covering the rugby pitches, not allowing all but the most eagle eyed to see the 22 from the try line. Everyone gathered around in a huddle, as the first tale (about a frog wench that would drag herself out the Taff, with the sole purpose of terrifying Cardiffians) was recounted. The children howled in glee, determined not to be scared and headed off into the dark.... whilst just off in the mist small little lights started appearing and disappearing, we were being watched!!!!

 As the children moved around the fields, the stories got darker and darker only to be matched by the darkness of the dimming light. A certain parent (who remains nameless but likes Kababs and Stella) recounted his own horror stories of the Taff Trails, it was enough to put the willys up you (his words not mine). Whilst another parent jumped out the bushes howling like a banshee and Mel donned a witches mask that nearly sent Theo running for the hills. The boys although still in high spirits, suddenly started walking in a tighter formation, they was almost maul like.

Another ghost story at Blackweir, a ghost pushing a high fiving cyclist off his bike and it was time to head back, down the spookily tree lined path. You could see a few heads turning back in the torch light, making sure nothing but the mist was following them back from the Taff. There was more than a little relief as the changing rooms came back into sight, everyone had a hot chocolate to celebrate. As they warmed up slightly, the boasting started about how unscarred they had been during the walk, but the children didn't believe their parents blatant lies.

 It wasn't until I reached home and looked at some of the photos (see above), did I realise how ghostly the walk had been... It was a truly a spooktastic event with so much thanks for arranging, performing and making sure everyone had a great time going to Mel.

So everyone please get your sponsorship monies to Mel or myself, even if you didn't attend, please, please, please support those that braved the darkness of Pontcanna...

Old Pens Vs Clwb

 

Score 8-8

Scorers : Ralph 2, Charlie 2, Rhys, Andy, Logaan, PT

Managers Seren Y Gem : Rhys Gibbs

 



What a game, what a game, what a game.

Lets face it, when we turned up and saw the size of some of the Old Pens kids, the challenge ahead of us was more than evident. The number 21 on the back of one of the Old Pen's players shirt, could of been a reference to his ag rather than his position.

As the teams passed each other in training, a few comments were exchanged and the cauldron ( that have become old pens vs Clwb games) started to bubble.

Kickoff and Old Pens looked unstoppable, their size advantage showing at the ruck and fair play they played some great running/passing rugby. One try, and another and another. I feaed our heads might drop, but they didn't.

The boys and girls were like a pack of lions, they threw their all into each tackle, each ruck and although they were often coming off second best, they got back up and readied for the next exchange. This was personified by Mabon, i think I counted four tackles in a row, with him pulling his injured body off the floor to make that forth tackle.

JP's constant positive encouragement, meant that even as the 4th, 5th and 6th tries were concedeed, not a single head dropped.

The second half started, and a fresh Old Pen's team took the field. Rhys and Robert charged forward, putting us on the front foot, then Ralph stepped, stepped again and a little spark ignited as he went over for our first try. Next thing you know we are running tries in all over the place while Old Pen's were running out of ink!!!

Theo's kickoffs put the opposition on the back foot and Andy's fullback positioning meant that they were unable to leave their half with any sort of relieving kick. The message went on, one try behind, 3 minutes left. I don't think anybody quite believed it. The crowd on the one side of the pitch were going wild. Full of posivite comments and full of pride...

Kickoff, pressure... turnover. We have it and we almost predicatably scored. At this point I swear I saw a small tear roll down the cheek of Coach Bryan.

Old Pens reacted swifty, returning their big guns to the fray. But as the pendulum swung back and for, it was obvious that no-one was going to dominate this group of Clwb players now. The refs whistle blew and the score, well that was tied; but the peformace was all about Clwb.

I felt compelled to pat each one of our players on the back, what a great team performance, a never say die attitude mixed with some great individual flair. How JP how any sembelence of a voice at the end, I have no idea.

More of the same next week please.
Ymlaen

Dinas Powys Vs Clwb

Coach Bryn Quote/halftime chat : Bring me some teeth

Managers Player of the Match: Logaan

Score 8-7

Clwb Scorers: Charlie (3) Osian D (3) Robert

 

 

They say lightening never strikes twice. Whoever "they" are, theyhave never watch Clwb dan 11.

 

Clwb played again with just enough players, play magnificiently, were winning at half time and then lost the game in the second half. It was like Llanishen all over again... With even some planes, trains and automobile issues for a couple of us getting to the ground.

 

It started off so well, Osian D, Cai and Charlie leading the charge, with some great passing throughout the team. Megs and Lilly both went forward with ball in hand and when Robert ran through the Dinas defence (on one of many runs) on his way to score, it felt like it was going to be our day. It was a fantastic half of rugby, maybe the best this season.

 

But the lack of subs, proved to great a burden to bear and as the second half kickoff, Dinas brought on 4 fresh players. Cai B really bossed things from scrum half, Osian MD, Bethan and Logaan put in some big tackles, Charlie and Osian D were brilliant in the ruck and Cai continued to snipe, step and jive his way up the pitch, but the fresh legs of Dinas started to show, and they ran in 5 unaswered tries in the final quarter.

 

It was a great match to watch, the boys and girls really gave it their all and everyone was so proud of them at the final whistle. Dinas were great hosts and I really look forward to playing them again.

 

Ymlaen Clwb

 

 

 

 

 

 

LLanishen vs CLWB

Quote of the Day from Llanishen Coach "I will kick your head in"

Clwb Seren Y Gem - Everyone in a Clwb Shirt

Score 9-6

Scorers : Cai (2) Charlie (2) Osian D, Osian MD

 

Well some days following the under 11s are hard to forget, and this fixture might be one of those.

 

After an initial Wacky Races start, where we all turned up at the wrong pitch before heading under the Aquaduct in a hurried convey and arriving to feel the first sensations of the approaching winter, the 10 kids of Clwb laced up their boots and donned their scrum caps.

 

We had all witnessed the prowess of Llanishen at the CRICC tournament, and as the teams warmed up, and the parents looked around hopelessly for coffee, there were whispers of us being on the recieving end of a bad beating.

 

The game kickoffed, and Clwb played with character and flair, forcing the knock-on, presuring the backs and competing at the ruck... one try for us, then another...and another. At one point, Clwb were leading 6-1, before Llanishen score two quick tries before half time.

 

Unfortuately for Clwb, half time changed everything and nothing went their way in the second half. Llanishen were brutal at the ruck and evry decision went their way, resulting in 6 unanswered tries.

 

It was a loss, but also a victory for our players. To compete so well against a team that trains 3 times a week, that includes 4 county players and are seen as one of the best teams in the region, I think was amazing. To be 6-1 up at one point was no accident and if luck had been with us the second half we might of come away even happier. Very proud of everyone of those players who wore the shirt today.

 

I think we can learn a few things from Llanishen, keeping our shape and being faster and harder at the ruck, but I think they also can learn a few things from us too.

 

Ymlaen Clwb.



CRICC Tournament

 

 

Results/Canlyniadau

 

Clwb 2 Penarth 0



Cai, Charlie

Clwb 6 Whitchurch 1

Charlie (3), Cai, Osian MD, Osian D

Clwb 1 llandaff 2
Robert

Finished Second in the group

Clwb 1 St Peters 3



Theo

Clwb 4 Rumney 1

Rhys, Osian D, Theo, Cai

Clwb 1 Rhiwbina 2

Osian D

 

 

JP Quote:

They all tried their best today

 and played with smiles win

or lose. Great to see. Very Proud. 

Managers Player of the Tournament - Theo

 

 

What a great tournament and thanks must go to our host CRICC for all their efforts and welcome.

 

I think JP's quote really summed up the day well, our victories were great, our defeats came from very close games and the boys and girls did themselves, their parents and the coaches proud. Proud not only of the way they played, but in the way they interacted with the other teams and behaved during the whole day. They are a credit to the Clwb.

 

I have so many memories of today; Osian' run down the wing with Rhiwbina players being smashed aside one after another, the hair bear bunch, Ian' ice revenge, that one parent stepping over the mark, Robert thundering over against Llandaff, ending up in the Taff on the way home, I could go on and on....

 

I think today we got a real insight of how we measure against the other clubs in the area, and you know what? We might not be the best, but on our day we are competitive with anyone of those teams we played against today, and we did it smiling.

 

I have medals for everyone who played today (not Bryan), which we will hand out next time we are all together.

 

Ymlaen Clwb.



Wales Sport Awards 2016

 

 

Look out for Clwb in the video - da iawn.