A Step To Far  - 22/05/2008 - Pentyrch (East District Cup Final at Pontyclun)

Three games in six days proved a little too much as we narrowly lost the East District Youth Cup final 12 - 10 to Pentyrch this evening.
The game started cagily with both sides showing respect. After 12 minutes Llanharan were awarded a long range penalty which Tom Cross put just wide. Pentyrch then attacked and were rewarded with an unconverted try scored wide out on the left after 16 minutes.
Llanharan were further hampered when Curtis Stegers was yellow carded after 21 minutes but managed to hold out until his return. After 35 minutes Sam Pick received a yellow card. Nevertheless despite being down to fourteen men Llanharan rallied and scored a try deep in injury time by Lee Thorne converted by Chris Williams.
Half Time Pentyrch 5 -v- 7 Llanharan
Early in the second half Pentyrch went over for a converted try to regain the lead 12 - 7. Llanharan responded with a penalty from Williams after 49 minutes to make the score 12 - 10.
Further pressure brought a penalty for Llanharan in front of the posts near the half way line on 60 minutes. Despite a fine effort by Williams the ball drifted just wide.
With so much at stake the game became ill tempered and despite putting Pentyrch under increasing pressure Llanharan were unable to break the deadlock and obtain the vital score.
Final score Pentyrch 12 -v- 10 Llanharan.
Coaches Steve Thorne and Mel Pring praised the team for their fine efforts not only tonight but throughout the season. Well done boys. Pictures in gallery

Champions  - 20/05/2008 - Pontypridd - Merit Table final at Llantrisant

Llanharan gained a hard fought 26 - 13 over Pontypridd to become Taff Rhondda Merit Table Champions.
Pontypridd kicked off and from the take a 50 yard maul resulted in Llanharan establishing themselves in the Pontypridd half. Chris Williams then kicked a penalty for Llanharan followed by a further long distance kick by Harley Thompson. Pontypridd replied with a penalty with a further three points being added by Williams. Pontypridd were penalised with a yellow card before adding a further penalty to make the half time score Llanharan 9 Pontypridd 6.
Lee Thorne powered over for an unconverted try early in the second half followed by a try from a Pontypridd error by Rhydian Worgan converted by Williams. Llanharan then lost Karl Davies with a serious leg injury before Lee Thornes scored a further try to make the game safe. Pontypridd scored a converted consolation try late on to make the score 26 - 13.
Silverware at last for a very talented youth squad. No time for celebration howerver as it's onwards to the East District Cup Final against Pentyrch on Thursday (6.30pm) at Pontyclun.
News on Karl Davies is that he has a fractured ankle. He called back in the club later and whilst disappointed at not being able to play Thursday is determined to be out with the boys on Friday night and be there for the club dinner (31 May 2008)

Youth march on to Final  - 16/05/2008 - Glyncoch (Merit Play Off)

RHONDDA MERIT TABLE SEMI FINAL PAY OFF
LLANHARAN 27 GLYNCOCH 0
With a busy end of season schedule, Llanharan coaches Steve Thorne and Mel Pring made several changes but the team was still too strong for a promising young Glyncoch outfit.
The Dairymen will now meet Pontypridd in the final at Llantrisant on Tuesday, the Sardis Road side having knocked out Pontyclun in their play off.
Chris Williams opened the scoring with a penalty and then a storming run by captain and number eight Bill Carey opened up play for prolific try scorer Lee Thorne to add another touch down to his impressive thirty plus total for the season.
Telling kicks from outside half Tom Cross got Llanharan upfield, and although they lost possession, prop Rhys Haines somehow wrested it back and charged over for a try that Williams converted to make it 15-0 at half time.
The home team again rang the changes after the restart and a great run by second row Rhys Davies brought him his side’s third try, Williams again converting.
Then after Tom Worgan lost the ball going over the line, Carey capped a fine game with a burst for the line that brought the final try.
The Youth will also play Pentyrch on Thursday at Pontyclun in the East District cup final although efforts are being made to move it to Friday by invoking the stipulation that youth players should not play twice in forty eight hours.

These are the 3 most recent match reports posted. Older reports are in the archive