1st's Vs Rhydyfelin Match Report (Gareth Morgan)

Match Report – Llanharan RFC vs Rhydyfelin RFC.

The Dairy Field, Llanharan, Saturday the 11th of October 2025.

Saturday the 11th of October saw the Dairymen return to league action on their home ground, desperate for a return to winning ways. Having won their first three matches this season, at home to Barry and Cambrian, and away to Abercwmboi, the last fortnight had seen the team slip to consecutive away defeats, firstly to Blackwood in the cup, and last weekend against Llanishen in the league. However the visitors on this occasion were a Rhydyfelin team, which succeeded on doing the double over the Dairymen, in the league last season. The match also marked Jack Dauncey’s 50th appearance for Llanharan, and in fairness his pre-season fitness regime is more than paying off, as he has been perhaps the team’s most consistent performer so far this season.

For maybe the first time this season, it was the Dairymen who started the strongest, and in fairness this continued, even after influential number 8 Lloyd Gregory had to leave the fray in the opening minutes, with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Joe Buckle came on in his place, slotting into the second row, alongside Kieran Martin, with the ever-reliable Owain Howe stepping back from the boiler house to the number 8 berth. It was the Dairymen who scored first, with Scott Jones slotting an early penalty. This was followed by well worked tries by lively blind side flanker Rhys Dauncey, uncompromising centre Jack Brooks, and abrasive hooker Tom Jenkins, who played arguably his best ever game for the home side. As the game entered it’s second quarter, Scott Jones had maintained his perfect record from the tee, with the Dairymen twenty-four nil to the good and apparently cruising. However, not for the first time this season, Llanharan inexplicably took their foot of the gas. The visitors, who although a very different proposition to the team which beat us twice last season and further weakened by the absence of the influential Lucas brothers, began to mount pressure of their own. If there is one thing which is true for a Rhydyfelin team, it is that they will never go down without a considerable fight. It was therefore hardly surprising that two deserved tries, saw them pull the score line back to 24-14 at the break. Special mention must go to evergreen Rhydyfelin back, David Gratton, who was playing on the wing, as opposed to his regular full back spot, for converting both tries with ease, having finished off the second himself, scampering over on the right wing.

The second half started, with the majority of the supporters now feeling twitchy, and wondering if the home side would have enough in the tank to hold on. What transpired was an often-ill-tempered affair, with sporadic bouts of violence and disorder, however credit must go to the home team for eventually coming out on top. Excellent forward play saw Rhys Dauncey cross for his second try of the afternoon to claim the first points of the second period, with Scott Jones adding the conversion to put the hosts thirty-four to fourteen to the good. However, the visitors once again hit back with a converted try, to pull the deficit back to ten points. With the home support starting to feel edgy again, Scott Jones stepped up as he has done so many times before, to steady the ship, with a successful penalty kick. The Dairymen finally put the contest to bed, when player of the match, Tom Jenkins produced a finish any winger would have been proud of wide on the right, before ‘Mr One Hundred Percent’ Scott Jones added the conversion to complete a perfect afternoon from the tee.

There has never been any doubting Tom Jenkins’ commitment and tenacity, however this season he has massively developed the technical apects of his game, which has elevated him to new levels. Also worthy of mention were Josh Walsh, who again gave everything he had, alongside Rhys Dauncey, Kieran Martin and Joe Buckle who helped give the home side set piece dominance, particularly in the line out. Replacement prop Troy Johnson is proving to be an able scrummager, who also offers a lot around the park. In the back line Scott Jones deserves credit for his game management and flawless kicking from the tee, whilst captain Jack Brooks was once again prominent with his sublime angles of attack running, and at times phenomenal tackling, Ryan Russel and Dan Palin also showed flashes of excellent attacking intent.

In summary, we can be proud of the bonus point victory, however I can’t help feeling that our defence is still an area for concern on occasion, and something on which coaches Bill Carey and Mitch Jenkins will be keen to improve on, when we travel to the eastern moors of Cardiff next weekend, to face a St Alban’s team, which appears intent on punching above its weight, following promotion from division two.