Best Display of the Year  - 27/03/2010 - UWIC

SWALEC ONE EAST
LLANHARAN 26 UWIC 6 (15-6 HT)
Llanharan put in one of their best performances of the season to hand just a second defeat of the campaign to the table topping students.
The Cyncoed outfit were fresh from their mid week BUSA cup semi final victory over old rivals Hartpury College, but it was Llanharan handing out the lessons in this exciting encounter.
Gareth Edwards’ side scored three tries without reply, but the damage was done up front where the Llanharan pack reigned supreme.
No where more so than in the scrums where young props James Greenfield and Aled Richards enhanced their growing reputation still further, allowing hooker Nathan Huish to take a couple of heads. Huish himself was immense about the field displaying boundless energy, while old hand Justin Jones made a telling contribution in the back row.(Justin has been in touch to point out he is only 27 and feels a lot younger than that!!!!)
However it was the university that started the scoring, Simon Humberstone landing a penalty in the 8th minute and it looked as if that lead was going to be extended only for the visitors’ skipper Luke Allen to lose the ball over the line at the back of a lineout.
It was just minutes later that the Dairymen drew their first blood and it was a try that was as brilliant as it was simple.
Once again it was the lightning break of glen Holloway form a penalty that caught UWIC flat footed, Lee Thorne offered good support down the right flank and there was wing forward Jones on his inside to complete the score.
Codey Rees ‘s kick went adrift into the strong wind , but his team gained a decisive advantage just before half time when full back Rhys Roberts was yellow carded by referee Darren Evans for obstructing Holloway as he again tried to break for the line..
Rees made no mistake with the penalty and the home team’s second try came after fine interplay between Holloway and Lee Davies,
The finishing touch was supplied by St Peters debutant Mathew Taylor, the Wales under 20 cap making a promising start for the black and blues.
The conversion and another penalty meant that Llanharan turned around with a meaningful 15-6 advantage.
It was end to end at the outset of the second half Llanharan left wing Paul Adams suffering the agony of seeing the strong wind take the ball out of his grasp as he was about to touch down after Holloway’s shrewd kick.
Proceedings took another turn as back row man Jones was sent to the touchline but his fellow players showed their defensive capabilities to keep UWIC out.
Restored to a full complement Denis John’s men again took over, Rees’s two penalties and then Dai Atkins’ try ending a highly satisfactory afternoon for the third place team, their 6th league win on the run.
The students also lost skipper Luke Allen to a yellow card in the closing stages.
Llanharan: M.Taylor, L.Thorne, D.Atkins, A.Pinches, P.Adams, C.Rees (W.Jervis 74), G.Holloway, J.Greenfield, N.Huish (A.Griffin 74), A. Richards N.Kibble 74), G.Edwards (Capt.) (B.Carey 72), J.Connors, L.Davies, A.Llewellyn (N.Allen 74), J.Jones.
Llanharan tries – J.Jones, M.Taylor, D.Atkins. Con and pens 3 – C.Rees.
UWIC pens – S.Humberstone 2.

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