Playing rugby "the Welsh way"!

Sundays game on tour was against a strong Llandaff North side who had only lost 3 games all season and boasted 6 Cardiff Blues Academy players in their squad with 4 playing against Horsham.

This was a very physical encounter and after 5 minutes I was unsure how the game would go as it had an intensity we do not see on a weekly basis in the Sussex Leagues.
I spoke with my cousin who is ex Llandaff North & he said this was the Welsh way of playing rugby - get in the opponents faces and make sure they know you are there - always leave something in the tackle & go up a level or two as you are playing an English team!

Fortunately our boys stuck to the task and competed with Llandaff North never shirking a tackle or stepping back from a ruck or maul.

It was difficult conditions again - a strong wind, rain and a muddy pitch which cut up throughout the match but it was an enthralling contest between two evenly matched sides.

Llandaff nicked a try in the first half and a couple of chances went begging for both sides with players either knocking on the greasy ball or slipping in the mud.

It was still 5-0 to Llandaff North towards the end of the second half and a few of their supporters were heard to mutter they would accept a 5-5 draw.
But it was not meant to be as just after Horsham spurned a try scoring opportunity our hosts were camped in our 22 determined to score.

Despite some brave tackling by the Horsham defence it payed off, as while a couple of our players lost concentration and were too busy watching some "off the ball handbags", they failed to see the Llandaff North outside centre running towards them.
A couple of attempted tackles were too late as he ran past to score a try with the last play of the match which was followed by the final whistle.

The match ended 10-0 to Llandaff North but it was a fiercely competitive game played by two very committed sides. We were pleased our boys stepped up to meet the challenge but Llandaff North deserved their win.

The very generous hospitality and warm welcome provided by Llandaff North RFC was fantastic and was greatly appreciated by our players, coaches, parents and supporters.

Thanks very much to Bob Bowen and all at Llandaff North RFC