COBRA went into their last game of the season knowing that a win would lift them two places in the league and would secure a respectable seventh placed finish. With both James Watkin and Matthew Griffiths deciding to end their tenure as first team coaches at the end of the season, the players were determined to finish the season on a high.
After the initial fixture had been postponed due to a frozen pitch there had been much discussion as to what date the rearranged match was to take place. Eventually both teams agreed to Monday the 4th May which coincided with a junior fun day being held at the club. After a thrilling match between ‘Lads’ and ‘Dads’, a few hot dogs and a go on the bouncy castle, the junior members and their parents were ready for the main event- COBRA v Nant.
COBRA were on the wrong end of a 51-0 defeat when they travelled to Nant on the 4th October and therefore were well aware of the magnitude of the task ahead. Despite the fact that Nant could no longer catch newly crowned league champions Pwllheli they travelled to Cae Cobra with a full strength side and a number of travelling supporters.
As both teams emerged from the changing rooms they were greeted by a guard of honour formed by a number of exciting g youngsters who were eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see their club heroes in action.
With top try scorer Sion Wyn Williams joining Llew Williams, Harry Jukes, Lloyd Bright, Steff Lowther and Frazer Roberts on the list of unavailable players, the selected 15 knew that they would have to produce one of the finest displays of the season in order to come out victorious. With the touchlines filled with exuberant fans, the pitch in good condition following some much needed rain, and two sides looking to end the season on a high- the stage was set.
COBRA started the match on the front foot with the forwards carrying ball enthusiastically and provided lively scrum half Alwyn Williams the platform needed to launch a string of prolonged attacks with the powerful centre duo of Iwan Vaughan and Andrew Pryce creating inroads in the Nant defence. The home fans did not have to wait long for something to cheer about as a blindside move and good hands by Aled Davies and Aled Humphreys sent Bryn Edwards on his way down the touchline. The man mountain of a prop showed good composure as he shimmied past the last defender to dive over in the corner. Rhodri Davies confidently knocked over the conversion to give the home side a deserved 7-0 lead.
The dark art of scrummaging produced a number of penalties for the home side. A large percentage of scrums went to ground and the referee had the tough challenge of interpreting who was at fault. With the 6 men in the front row determined to gain the upper hand on their counterpart nobody wanted to take a backwards step. The Cobra trio of Bryn Edwards, Hywel Jones and Steve Isaac have greatly improved as a scrummaging unit in recent matches and after dismantling the Bala front row in their previous home game they were determined to do the same to Nant. It was a scrum in the Nant 22 that led to Cobra’s second try. Jack Jukes and Alwyn Williams combined effectively from the base to send the rangy young number 8 under the posts. Rhodri Davies added the extra 2 points to give the home team a 14-0 lead.
One area of concern for Cobra will be the lineout which struggled to function all afternoon. The hard man from Foel, Rhodri Evans was joined by his younger brother, Meilir in the engine room of the Cobra pack but neither were able to disrupt Nant’s effective lineout. The visitors stole a number of the home side’s lineouts and this allowed them to set up their effective driving maul on a number of occasions. A Nant driving maul thundered its way into the Cobra half and after defending valiantly for a number of phases the visitors eventually engineered an overlap with Tom Oliver (on permit from Cardiff MET) the beneficiary as he scored the visitors’ opening try. Delwyn Jones slotted over the conversion to bring the visitors back within 7 points.
Shortly before half time COBRA increased their lead to 10 points with Rhodri Davies confidently slotting over a long range penalty. As the referee signalled the end of the first half COBRA were good value for their 10 point lead and were 40 minutes away from a huge victory.
Nant came out with all guns blazing in the second half and a powerful scrum win against the head allowed winger Sion Pringle to race down the touchline to score in the corner. Delwyn Jones calmly added the conversion and brought the visitors within 3 points.
Much credit must be given to the Cobra supporters who raised the volume level and rallied the troops. This lifted the players as each COBRA attack and every bone crunching tackle was greeted with a cheer from the crowd. Ferocious defending was again at the forefront of the home side’s display as COBRA managed to cause a nuisance at every ruck which disrupted the visitors’ rhythm and led to a number of uncharacteristic knock-ons.
Cobra capitalised on another Nant error as a crooked line out throw gave Cobra a scrum on the Nant 22. The scrum wheeled sideways and opened up a large gap on the blind side. Jack Jukes exchanged passes with Alwyn Williams and the impressive number 8 dived over in the corner to the delight of the home players and supporters alike.
The visitors’ frustration was clear to see on the touchline with their supporters bemoaning each decision awarded against them. This carried onto the pitch as replacement Carwyn Ellis took matters into his own hands with an indiscretion after the whistle had been blown and was rewarded with a yellow card.
COBRA took full advantage of the extra man as Alwyn Williams chipped over the Nant defence following a turnover on halfway by Hywel Jones. Richard Jones scampered down the wing and gathered the loose ball. The young fullback broke a tackle and offloaded inside to Jack Jukes who crashed into the last defender. Quick ball was provided and captain Aled Davies swan dived under the posts to send the buoyant crowd into raptures.
Lloyd Mayor was sent to the sin bin with only minutes remaining on the clock and Nant capitalised with Aeron Jones scoring under the sticks. Delwyn Jones took a quick drop goal to add the conversion but it was too little too late as the referee signalled the end of the match.
The character and passion shown by COBRA has been a feature of the season with the Cae Cobra men securing 8 victories out of 11 home matches. Both James Watkin and Matt Griffiths will be delighted to end their reign as coaches on such a high note.
With a hard pre season, a few additions to the squad and an improved away record there is no reason why the Cae Cobra men cannot challenge the top sides next year and claim a place in the top four or five. It is clear that no sides enjoy the trip to the fortress that is Cae Cobra and all players now hope that such a large crowd will gather for every home game next season.
It is evident that it is the away record that needs the greatest improvement with the only victories on the road coming in Llandudno, Mold and Bro. COBRA should also look to take a leaf out of Bethesda’s book as the men from Snowdownia finished an impressive third place in the league. Bethesda have won the same number of games as Cobra but have secured an additional 10 bonus points demonstrating the importance of scoring four tries or losing within seven points.
All COBRA players would like to thank the fans for producing a wonderful atmosphere during Mondays’s match and for their continued support throughout the season. There was a special ‘buzz’ around the club before, during and after the match and the future looks extremely bright. A special thank you must be given to Matthew Griffiths and James Watkin for their hard work over the past few seasons and both will be happy to be leaving the club in a very good position. The players will now enjoy a few drinks on tour in Bristol before attending the end of season dinner in Oswestry on the 16th May.
COBRA- 1. Bryn Edwards, 2. Steven Isaac, 3. Hywel Jones, 4. Rhodri Evans, 5. Meilir Evans, 6. Aled Davies, 7. Aled Humphreys, 8. Jack Jukes, 9. Alwyn Williams, 10 Rhodri Davies, 11. Ieuan Williams, 12. Iwan Vaughan, 13 Andrew Pryce, 14. Lloyd Mayor, 15. Richard Jones. SUBS- 16. Aled Roberts, 17. Matt Jones.