Llanharan take Runners up Spot  - 12/05/2010 - RUMNEY

SWALEC ONE EAST
RUMNEY 21 LLANHARAN 38 (HT 7-19)
Llanharan confirmed their runners up status in the Swalec First Division East with a six tries victory in their final league game.
After finishing third last time round, this represents another fine achievement by Gareth Edwards and his team.
In a campaign covering 22 matches , only five were lost and, remarkably, Llanharan took a bonus point of one sort or another from four of these, the controversial last kick defeat at eventual champions UWIC ultimately crucial in their own title hopes.
Coach Dennis John along with his assistants Colin Malone and Mathew Lloyd can reflect with satisfaction on a season in which almost 700 points were scored and an impressive 92 tries accumulated.
In these statistics the contributions of left wing Paul Adams (16 tries) and outside half Codey Rees (248 points, 258 including cup) have been notable.
The Dairymen went into Wednesday night’s game against the only team to beat them on their own patch with seven changes to their starting line up.
The unavailability of the likes of Justin Jones, on duty in Canada with the British Police team, and injuries to a host of players, including vice captain Dai Atkins, forced the selection hand.
It meant a permit place in the centre for Caerphilly man Mark Addis and a first start at outside half for the vastly experienced and former club record points holder Wayne Jervis, now Second XV coach.
The side jelled remarkably well in a game that had moments of breathtaking rugby as well as frequent untidy phases, the pitch and an unpredictable bounce playing a part.
The visitors led 19-7 at half time with three tries on the board. After a huge Jervis kick had provided field position, a James Connors charge down allowed former Youth captain Bill Carey to collect his first senior try of the season.
Then a Mathew Taylor break put Addis over, Rees converting, before Adams once more showed his paces by racing home from forty metres.
The conversion made it 19-3 but a gallant if often out classed Rumney side got some reward for their efforts as tricky scrum half Chris Milton scored, Danny Clark converting.
But Llanharan were first on the score sheet after half time, Glen Holloway, so often the catalyst this year in Llanharan’s exciting play, again causing problems after Adams had brought the ball up field. Lee Davies, who has made a success of the blind side spot after switching from second row, was the man to finish off.
Flanker Ryan Fenton again raised Rumney hopes after a penalty awarded for a high tackle, Clark’s conversion making it 24-14, but Holloway’s break sent Elliott Foils over for a sixth try in four matches, allowing Rees to convert.
Try number six followed after Jervis was obstructed but Adams raced through onto the loose ball.
Rees converted but mid table Rumney did at least have the final say as Dai Millward scored, despite what was clearly a forward pass, and Clark added the kick.
This was Llanharan’s eighth game in a month – but they still have rugby to play with St Peters the opposition in this Wednesday’s East District cup semi final.
Llanharan team: Codey rees, Elliott Foils, Mark Addis, Mathew Taylor, Paul Adams, Wayne Jervis (Gareth Jones 74), Glen Holloway, Nick Kibble (James Greenfield 50), Nathan Huish (Aaron Griffin 55), Aled Richards, Gareth Edwards (Capt.), James Connors (Nikki Allen 48), Lee Davies, Aled Llewellyn, Bill Carey.
Llanharan tries: Adams 2, Carey, Foils, Addis, davies. Cons 4 – Rees.
Rumney tries: Chris Milton, Ryan Fenton, Dai Millward. Cons 3 – Danny Clark.

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