Fixture

Sunday, 1 December saw the Taffs Wells ladies travel to Parc y Mynydd Mawr for the Piod Pinc’s penultimate game in this season’s Women’s Merit Table South. The Piod Pinc came into the game with a big squad available and from the first whistle got stuck straight into their opponents, personified by Billie Jo Alexander who took out four players early on with a typical charging run. Just a couple of feet from the Taffs Well try line the Piods lost the ball and a scrum allows Taffs Well to clear.  

The first half develops with both sides have their opportunities before Taffs Well break the deadlock. Taffs Well are awarded a penalty when the referee adjudges that the Piods have entered a ruck from the side. The penalty is taken quickly and the Piods are unable to react quickly enough to prevent a Taffs Well try, 0-5. Taffs Well begin to take the ascendancy and the Piod Pinc are once again adjudged to be offside from a ruck. Taffs Well again take the penalty quickly and score their second try to make it 0-10. The game is restarted and Taffs Well regather before breaking though the Piod defensive line and charging 20 metres upfield only for the covering captain Tina Thomas to catch her opponent and force her into touch. From a Piod Pinc lineout the ball is lost to Taffs Well who gather and use their forwards to work a score below the post. The try is converted to make it 0-17 at the interval.

The second half begins with Tumble impact players coming off the bench due to a number of injuries having been sustained in the pack. A ruck sees stand-in scrum half Alaw Hughes hit up closely followed by Ellie James and Catrin Rees who both make yards. Slick handling skills from Nikki Howells sees her offload to Sophie Campbell-Cross who works the ball to Meleri Hicks who sprints 50 metres down the wing to score in the left corner, the conversion is missed, 5-17. Unfortunately, within minutes had broken through the Tumble defensive line to score another try and make it 5-22. With their opponents having opened up a commanding lead the positivity in Tumble’s play diminished and the last 30 minutes of the game sees the Piod Pinc forced into a unrelenting defensive shift. What can’t be faulted is the attitude and commitment of the girls and despite soaking up considerable pressure Taffs Well can only go over for one further score which comes near the end of the match. Final score 5-27.

Forward of the Match - Billie Jo Alexander

Back of the Match - Alaw Hughes

Tackle of the match - Leah Coombes

Ymlaen Y Piod