Llandaff North ladies vs Pencoed Phoenix
This week’s cup fixture saw premier league team Pencoed Phoenix travel to Hailey park.
The game kicked off with both teams looking to dominate from the off. North were awarded an early penalty which was pulled wide of the posts. But it was the away team that got first blood, from a good driving line out the ball was spread wide and phoenix touched down in the corner making it 0-5.
From the restart both teams were hitting hard and Phoenix were making the most of the 2 man overlap and the pace they had on the wing. After a high tackle in front of the posts Elin Huxtable slotted over a penalty to bring the score to 3-5.
A quick restart had both teams contesting for the ball and a knock on from Phoenix gave the home side an attacking scrum. A clean pick up from the base of the scrum and the swift pace of no No 9 Caryl James saw North get their first try. An unsuccessful conversion followed and the score stood 8-5 to the home side.
With the clock ticking down to the end of the half No. 8, Becky Newton, put a long chip behind the Phoenix line. A frantic foot race from both teams followed but Phoenix managed to kick the ball clear from behind their touchline. North set up a strong driving lineout from 5 metres giving Newton a good platform from which to dive over the line leaving the half time score 13-5.
The second half began in scrappy fashion with Phoenix being penalised at the breakdown. Not to be discouraged Phoenix rallied and following a poor defensive display from North, managed to run through numerous tackles to score under the posts. A conversion followed leaving the score 13-12.
After that North rallied, and despite a one man deficit in the scrum, managed to provide a solid platform at set piece to release centre Jolee Gregory. Huxtable was successful with the conversion bringing the score to 20-12.
A Phoenix try was bookended by two more strong set piece displays which led to North tries by James and Gregory bringing the score to 32-17.
The kicking game was key for North. When a penalty gave North a chance to kick to the corner, Huxtable stepped up to deliver the goods. A good catch by North saw the pack drive the ball as they have done so successfully throughout the cup campaign. North received a penalty for their efforts when phoenix pulled down the maul. A quick tap by Newton saw her smash over the line bringing the score to 39-17.
With the end of the game fast approaching Pheonix maintained some intense pressure on the North 5 metre line and were denied the spoils at first by hooker Beth Kenure holding up a try. However the visiting team were not to be kept out and after a stable scrum phoenix crossed the white wash to bring the final score up to 39-22 to the home side.
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