News

Jones Joy! As Cap’n Harry leads his troops to victory.

Cobras 14-10 Whitchurch

The Cobras have lost twice since 2019, one of those defeats was an almighty tatering at the hands of Whitchurch in the leafy fields of North Cardiff.

Whitchurch are a superb rugby team, but the Cobras were resolved to put in a better show this time, with none of them wanting to explain to coach Hwyel “what happened out there?” for a second time.

So, on the coldest morning since records began, a huge crowd peered as best they could, through the narrow bars of the Gwyndy, looking forward to a Christmas Cracker of a rugby game,  between two excellent sides.

First half  Cobras 14-5 Whitchurch

This game was much closer than the last time we played,  we attacked hard from the off, with a great run getting us into the opposition half before we were turned over. Whitchurch were sensational at ruck time and really dominated this area for the first ten minutes, every time we ran, they pounced the second we hit the ground and stole the ball. However, when Whitchurch attacked, our cattenacio defence smothered them too.  At scrum time, as usual, we were on top for the most part.
But, then our Achilles heel of giving away too many penalties surfaced again, as three consecutive pens saw Whitchurch march the ball from their own half to close to our line. From the line out, their excellent number 8 powered through a gap to go over, for the first score. Conversion missed.

What would happen now? Would our heads drop? A cursory glance at the team behind the posts indicated that this would not happen on their watch, not this morning.  I saw Coach Mike gesticulating and picked up a few of his words.  “Thermopylae” “Sneggy Youth Dec 2022”. “Agincourt” and “Wimbledon 94”.   Whilst the gesticulating, appeared to be the actions of a maniac, the meaning was clear.. we would battle until the end today.

Whitchurch knock on, Shane runs off the back of a dominant scrum, he beats several opposing player before being tackled by the full back. We are quickly over the ball, it’s recycled to Cameron the Colossus, before he goes over to level things.
Harry Jones grabs the extras, with no little aplomb.

We have our tails up now, and attack strongly down the right side.  Suddenly, a crown becomes visible in the distance, yes, King Keagan is here.. he races past several opposing defenders to touch down and extend our lead.

Harry Jones has to add the extras from wide out, surely too difficult…oh yea of little faith, it goes right between the posts! It’s the greatest conversion since Paul put down his stones in Damascus….. half time.

Second half:  Cobras 14-10

There was never any doubt that Whitchurch would come back in this second half, they raised their game as champion sides do, whilst the Cobras refused to yield an inch. 

The sole try of this half was superb and came for the visitors. From a line out on their own line, they went phase after phase, before their flanker, who was brilliant today, went in to score. Conversion missed.

The rest of the game was a battleground, competitive but played in excellent spirit, Whitchurch threw everything at us, and we resisted heroically.

Action was limited as injuries started to take their toll, but still Whitchurch pushed for the winning try…but, it wasn’t to come, as a shrill blast on the refs whistle brought proceedings to an end.

What a game!

🎵 Cobras on 🔥, our defence is terrifying 🎵 

Love and hisses 🐍  🏉 💚 

Player of the Match

Was our brilliant Captain, Harry Jones, for a fantastic display in the face of severe Whitchurch tackling, calmly marshalling our attacking play and never shirking a tackle himself. Whilst also making the difference between a draw and a victory with his ice cold kicking under pressure. 

Well played indeed.