SEMI FINALS HERE WE COME!

Several girls made their debuts and others played out of position. The team was well led by captain Rachel Gibbins who stepped up to prop and had one of her finest games of the season against probably one of the best scrummaging sides in Wales.

Straight from the kick off Tylorstown met fire with fire and didn’t give an inch in any aspect of  play and soon settled down with a well taken try from the tireless openside flanker Jamie Kift after a good lineout steel.  Jamie ran full 50 meters to out run the despairing Blaenau Gwent defence to score under the posts for fellow International Naomi Thomas to convert to make the score 7-0. This was a score Tylorstown managed to keep hold of until half time, mainly down to their determined defence which has been a big feature of their game all season.

Blaenau Gwent came out after the break with all guns blazing and were soon on the scoresheet with their left winger crossing near the corner flag to reduce the deficit to just two points. This seemed to make Tylorstown up their game another level as they took the game to their opponents.  Hooker Laura Kelland seemed to revel in the tight exchanges and was reminiscent of her veteran father in charging through would be tacklers to make the ball available at every opportunity. Kristy Thomas had yet another awesome game and put in some huge tackles to turn over ball for the Tylorstown backs to stamp their authority on the game. Jayne Edwards was another who defied her age to put in another bruising performance.

Midway through the second half Tylorstown took away any hope of a cup upset by scoring the best try of the game. After Blaenau Gwent missed touch from a penalty, Sophie Kelland ran the ball back and quickly linked up with Clare Flowers who then passed to Louise Daniels who made a typically powerful run taking out two tacklers to off-load to the looping Noami Thomas who then crossed near the posts. Thomas converted her own try to make the score 14-5. Thomas later added a penalty to make the final score 17-5 to the Tigers.  This cup victory was richly deserved and gave Tylorstown a season treble over their spirited opponents.

Tylorstown Ladies now eagerly await the draw for the semi final and hope that the whole town can come out in force and help them reach the final for the second time.

Tylorstown ladies are looking to recruit players of all standards if you are interested in playing rugby please come and join us any Monday or Wednesday for training at Penrhys Park 7 – 8:30pm or call Rachel on 07917 035 473 for more information.