Dougie's Final Score

Laugharne v Tycroes. 10.10.26.

We welcomed Tycroes to Wooford Park for possibly the first time. It was a lovely sunny day but there was a strong wind blowing towards the school which we played against in the first half.

We went into this game with our band of brothers in somewhat disarray. Tyler was still suffering with his injury so only Lennon started. Rhodri and Trystan were out with injury. Tom and Harrison were missing!! So our only brother pairing to start were Tom and Richie Waters. Thankfully we hand some legends to help fill the void and give us a chance of coming away with a win.

With Captain Mikey still out it was down to Vice Captain and top bloke, Rhys teeth to lead the boys out!!!

Tycroes were looking good in the warmup and had a pretty big pack for us to contend with.

From the kickoff they were in our face using their large pack to good affect they were able to threaten our line for the first ten minutes, when ironically we had a scrum five yards out from our line which we won and in good old Laugharne tradition the ball went through the hands to set up the attack from deep. We attacked up the right, Lennon taking the ball out of our twenty two before being tackled short of the halfway. A few phases later it came back left Matt Done carrying well and put in a nice reverse pass to Owain who took it on a few yards before passing outside to Corey on the wing, who cut back inside and made good ground before being brought down on their twenty two yard line. The boys were quick to support and attacked left again. After a few phases moving closer inside to the posts it came back left again but went to ground a few yards short. Then from the ruck Logan picked up and passed left to Corey on the wing, who managed to make a few yards and get the pass back inside to Logan before being tackled into touch. Logan went over for the try which was a credit to the whole side. Nico converted to make the score 7-0.

Four minutes later Matt was at it again, obviously the extra attention from Mrs  Done (AKA  our physio Zoe) on his leg rubs, was paying dividends !!!! When from a loose Tycroes throw in, five yards out from their line, on the left hand side, we attacked, passed the ball right where in front of their posts, Lennon had a stab at the line.  Lennon went to ground in the tackle and the ball got recycled quickly. Logan passed right to Nico who had Matt outside him. Matt got the quick pass and went over for the try in the right hand corner. No conversion. Score 12-0.

This was looking good and two minutes later it was about to get even better!!!!! Tycroes again getting inside our twenty two gave away a penalty infront of our posts. Nico took a quick tap and went right feeding the forwards who took it on a few yards before going to ground to set up the ruck. The ball went right again and the forwards set up the second ruck. This time the backs were ready to take it up the right hand wing starting from our twenty two.  Nico passed right to Lennon who managed to get the pass to Jake in the tackle. Jake took off and made good yards, getting over the halfway he passed back inside to Logan who took it on another few yards before passing back outside to Tom D (The undertaker) who found support from Owain on the inside and got the pass in before he was tackled into touch. Owain reading the game well to be in good position and getting the reward of a lovely try right of the posts. No conversion. Score now 17-0.

This was looking good we were playing the better rugby and our pack were matching them in the scrums, however after about twelve minutes of play Tycroes kicked the ball dead but the referee judged us to be playing the ball after it had crossed the in goal line and gave Tycroes a scrum, five yards out. From the scrum Tycroes managed a try right of the posts. Score 17-5.

We took it on the chin and got back to the job in hand but a minute before half time we gave away a penalty to allow Tycroes to claw back another three points. Making the score at halftime 17-8.

Not to worry we were with the wind the second half and if we carried on as we did in the first half we had nothing to worry about (foolish words!!). Tycroes had other ideas as their halftime team talk must have been a good one as they managed a converted try three minutes into the second half. Scores now 17-15.

In fairness to Tycroes had made a good comeback and worst was to come as they continued to put on the pressure and five minutes later they managed another try. They also managed a good conversion to give them the lead. Score 17-22.

The boys were going to have to dig deep and for the next ten minutes we hardly left their half. Getting closer and closer to their  line, Tycroes were then awarded a scrum five yards out. We held them and they kicked to touch only to find Jake covering the line. Jake gathered just inside the halfway and headed infield, making good ground to just outside their twenty two before being tackled. The ball was quickly recycled and fed left to Owain who took it on a few more yards before being brought down to set up the next phase. Ball again being passed left to find Lennon who broke through their defence and crossed into their twenty two, passing back inside to Nico to get in closer to the posts. Nico touched down and also got the conversion to make the scores 24-22.

This was better but we needed a bit more breathing space to feel comfortable. We were using the wind to our advantage keeping Tycroes pinned back in their half with some nice kicks. Tycroes had a drop out from their goal line making an effort to clear but Nico was under it to start the attack. Taking the ball left we went through phase after phase, forwards and backs combing well, attacking the left hand side, patiently gaining the yards until the time was right. The backs were all lined up for final move from the ruck. Logan fed Nico and Owain came into the line just off Nico’s right shoulder, he did little sidestep and went over for the try right of the posts. Nico got the conversion. Score now 31-22.

There was still fifteen minutes left to play so we needed to keep it tight.

Tycroes were not giving up and pilled on the pressure, eventually getting a try just right of the posts. They also got the conversion. Score 31-29 with seven minutes to play.

The crowd were tense for the final few minutes. It had been an exciting game that either side could win. We played the last few minutes inside their twenty two and a try was begging. So much so that in the last play Tycroes kicked to touch to finish the game and allow them a bonus point for losing by less than seven points.

Final score 31-29. A hard fought encounter with plenty of excitement

and a well deserved win for our boys.

Thanks to Tycroes for giving us a tough game and big thanks for leaving the changing rooms clean and tidy .

Thanks to our absolutely amazing team, our Coaches, Zoe and Lloyd our Physios, Kelly for some amazing pics, Julie for the stats, our brilliant Committee and helpers, our sponsors, our members and our fantastic supporters.