Fixture

It was yet another disappointing and thoroughly miserable result for the Squirrels at the Welfare Ground as Porth Harlequins fought back from a 13 point deficit to snatch victory with two converted second half tries. This was an all too familiar scenario for Rhiwbina players and supporters alike, as the same result had enfolded at Mountain Ash last time out.

Porth took an early lead with a converted try after just three minutes, and it took some time before Rhiwbina actually made ground beyond the Quins 20m line.  However, this they managed after some 20 minutes and got on the scoreboard after a forward drive from a lineout, and it was Dave Gilbert who finished it off with a try in the clubhouse corner, superbly converted from the touchline by Liam Herdman. A great clearance kick from Elliot Jones and a strong run from his own 20 by Ben Shariff saw the Squirrels back on the attack and they were rewarded twice with two Herdman penalty kicks to make the half time score 7-13 to the Squirrels.

Rhiwbina extended their lead straight from the kick off.  From a scrum on the half way line the ball was passed quickly and smoothly out left and back inside to Ben Thomas who surged through to score under the posts, and Herdman converted to make it 7-20 to the Squirrels.  Ben was then shown a yellow card for a knock on which was deemed deliberate.  Porth then secured possession for an extended period and the Rhiwbina faithful feared what was coming, as they rolled down field.  And sure enough a catch and drive from a lineout lead to a touchline try, which was converted by a missile-like kick by Waughington. Porth then were shown their own yellow card to even things up, but still they kept possession and rolled downfield until the inevitable happened and they scored another rolling maul try converted by Waughington to take them one point ahead.

Rhiwbina then found themselves in a scoring position as the Porth defence were trapped near the posts by some fierce tackling.  Rhiwbina secured the ball and seemed to have crossed under the posts but the ref ruled that the ball was held up.  Rhiwbina lost the ball and the match from the resulting scrum, as Porth regained possession before clearing the ball and taking the points.

Another cruel  result for the Squirrels who now face visitors Cambrian Welfare at Caedelyn next week.