The Game

The Cowboys entertained Aberbeeg RFC at Heath Park today, having been beaten by them two weeks ago. The conditions were markedly different this time though as it was a beautiful sunny day, perfect conditions for a game of rugby. There was one change from last weeks game as Alex "Nose" Bowder was on a weekend away (allegedly) with everyone's favorite twitterer, @missharritaylor . He was replaced by Matt "the stroker" Buckingham in the second row, who had a great game around the park on his return to action.

The Cowboys started the game like a team hurt by recent defeats and eager to make amends. They immediately set out to play their brand of running rugby and after spreading the ball wide Simon “Mr Glass” Fry glided over the line and put Cathays RFC 7-0, after the conversion by Aki “CJ De Mooi” Davies. This wasn’t enough for Cathays as they almost immediately put a second on the board, as after a deft flick of the ball by Jez “El Mago” Phillips, centre Fry went flying through a gap at halfway and just kept going, accelerating (I did say accelerating) away from the covering Aberbeeg defence. With the conversion by CJ the Cowboys were 14-0 up and this stung Aberbeeg into life. They ended up scoring from a pick and go, to peg the game back to 14-7. There was also an enforced reshuffle in the pack for Cathays RFC as the heart and soul of the side back rower Rhodri “Doddie” Lucas succumbed to an injury and had to be replaced by returning hero Alan “Love Hamster” Powell. Fresh from his cruise, the love hamster immediately made an impact shoring up the scrum as he always does. The forwards in general were doing great, they were getting about the park and were able to force a number of turnovers, with James “soggy biscuit” Fooks and Gareth “the owner of the worlds hardest melon” Gee creating their own brand of gingery havoc. The backs were able to feast off the great play of the forwards and sowed up the crucial bonus point, through firstly a try from wing Dan “Gorbachov” White, who after good hands from Mr Glass and Gee was able to break a tackle and run a try in from 30 yards. It was nice for the wing to get on the scoresheet after the bollock he dropped in the first game. This was followed by a try from the outstanding Rhodri “snowdonia” Jenkins, who after more quick ball from the forwards, he was able to find a gap in run in from 5 metres. Aberbeeg fought back though and after a successful rolling maul and foolish penalties from Cathays, they scored a powerful try through their loosehead prop. This was followed by a penalty and the score at the half was 28-17 to the Cowboys.

The second half descended into a scrappy affair, with Cathays still looking dangerous with ball in hand but unable to score a try early on. They were made to pay for this as after an “unlucky” yellow card for the sex hamster got them down to 14 men, the impressive Aberbeeg 8 scored from short range to make the score 28-22 and we had a game on our hands. However the Cowboys were immediately able to gain back the momentum, as a dazzling run from Snowdonia Jenkins who went through on halfway and beat man would be defenders to put Cathays 35-22 up. Not a great deal happened from here on out except for a try, which was a beautiful backs move orchestrated by El Mago, who got the ball to the man with the flowing locks and he escaped some would be tacklers to score. There were a few more exciting moments but the score ended 42-22 to the Cowboys. Stage 1 complete.

The Good

The effort and commitment in the last three weeks from the boys has been outstanding, even though they’ve been on the wrong end of the result in a couple of those games. It takes heart and bollocks to turn up and play like we did today, especially after getting outmuscled against the same team two weeks ago. So everybody give yourselves a pat on the back tonight lads, we have two huge games to go and our fate is in our own hands. Fucking awesome. Ymlaen Cowboys.

The Bad

Penalties – we put ourselves under unnecessary pressure sometimes when there is no need too. Discipline will be key for final two games.

The Ugly

We picked up a couple of injuries today and with the short turn around this week we need all the bodies we’ve got. So get well soon Mr Glass, Doddie and Paul “the helmet” Culliford. Ice and elevation.

The Beast Award

He stands at a statuesque 5 foot 4 ish, he probably weighs about 10 stone, 3 stone of that is body hair, he plays scrum half, he never walks anywhere he just emerges from the ground, he has an incredible pain tolerance, run at him and he will smash you, and I mean he will pick your giant ass up and smash you, he should never talk to refs, actually he should never talk to anyone, his form of language consists of merely grunts and beeps, he is from parts unknown, he loves a sleep on a night out, he loves playing rugby in any form, he has a gift for upsetting the opposition, what he lacks in height he makes up for in gut, he loves a little snipe, he’s basically just a bad motherfucker. You may know him as Rhodri Morris, but we know him as the HONEY BADGER, and he is a BEEEEEEAAAAAAASSSSSTTTTTTTT!!!!!

Will Scarlet

“If you are determined enough and willing to pay the price, you can get it done.” – Mike Ditka

Team – CJ, Gorbachov, Mad-Dog, Mr Glass(The Jew), Snowdonia, El Mago, Badger, Doddie (Sex Hamster, Harry Potter), Gee, Oscar, Trigg, Buckaroo, Helmet (Twix), Alan Carr, The Prozzy. Subs not – the Ostrich, Meatball