LLANTWIT MAJOR RFC started life in division 3 with a hard-earned 21- 8 victory against a tough Llantrisant side who will wondering how they didn’t leave the Recreation Field with more to show from their first league encounter.
Having been relegated from division 2 last season, Llantrisant were always going to present a real challenge and this proved to be the case. The defence that was so strong last season was put to the test repeatedly as Llantrisant dominated possession and territory in the early stages. The visitors were rewarded when, after 10 minutes of continued pressure, they scored in the corner to take a 5-0 lead.
The try allowed Llantwit to get out of their own half and this seemed to galvanise the home players. With the backs now getting more of the ball, Ethan White was able to orchestrate them downfield and, after a series of scrums, new captain Dafi Davies crashed over for their first score. White duly converted and the home team were ahead 7-5 on the 20-minute mark.
Llantwit’s second try had a stroke of luck to it after a deep kick from White took a fortunate bounce and the rapid Owen Hill beautifully controlled the ball to score under the posts and extend the lead to 14-5. Llantrisant finished the half stronger and with six minutes remaining, veteran lock Shuan Shea was yellow carded after team discipline was punished. Despite being down to 14, Llantwit kept the visitors at bay and finished the half with a 9-point lead.
The second half proved to be just as tight as Llantrisant continued to put pressure on the home defence. Struggling to get over the try line, Llantrisant opted for three points to reduce the deficit to 14-8. It as now a one score game. The strong bench helped Llantwit to start exerting scrum pressure and this allowed the home side to keep nudging the visitors back down the field.
A penalty offered White the opportunity to place the ball deep into the visitors’ 22. Blaine Thomas worked the driving maul to within a metre before Dave Taylor crashed over to score. White hit the tricky conversion to give breathing space to the home side with a 21-8 lead. That try proved to be the final score and despite continued pressure from Llantrisant, they couldn’t add to their tally.
A stern examination for the home team who have now extended their unbeaten league record to 24 games and look forward to Tonyrefail away on 21st September.
Report by Mark Rees
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