Fixture

The picturesque setting of Cwmavon rugby club hosted the scene for the AmmoKnights latest adventures on the road and the Indian summer provided players and supporters alike a beautiful setting for some running rugby. With the hosts short of players, Llantwit offered five of their own to play for Cwmavon throughout the match. The visitors started strongly and a speculative chip ahead by Ben Reilly bounced kindly into the hands of the chasing Ethan White who outpaced the defence to score the opening try, which he duly converted. The early score stung the hosts into action and it wasn’t long before they replied with a penalty of their own to make the score 3-7. A minute later the AmmoKnights extended their lead when Morgan Jenkins picked up loose ball and showed strength and speed to score a superb solo try. The try was given the perfect complement when White converted from the narrowest of angles. The AmmoKnights were now rampant and White added his second try, before a fantastic flowing move ended in Leighton Pawsey crossing for Llantwit’s fourth. With the score at 26-3 and only 20 minutes on the clock, the AmmoKnights made a few positional changes but that didn’t hinder their attacking prowess as Pawsey breaking through tackles to get his second of the match. Cwmavon had the last word of the half following a period of sustained pressure they finally crossed to end the half 33-10 behind.

Five different faces donned opposition jersey’s for the second half but that didn’t stop the AmmoKnights who raced in two quick tries. Firstly Ben Reilly opened up a gap to cruise over, before Joe Godfrey powered over after a 40 yard sprint and in the blink of an eye the score was 47-10 to the AmmoKnights. With a deficit as high as nearby Foel Fynyddau, Cwmavon were spurred into action and White now clad in Cwmavon colours went about turning the game in the hosts favour. Strong runs by Pete Mitchell and White soon had the AmmoKnights in disarray and he’d soon bagged himself a hat-trick of tries for the opposition. With the score at 47-34 to Llantwit, White almost added another only for it to be ruled out for a forward pass. As the final whistle blew the travelling fans were left counting fingers and thumbs trying to figure out if White had just outdone his own team. An incredible points tally of 40 points for both teams highlighting this young man’s application to the sport.

A superb effort by those players who represented Cwmavon during the game and a stark reminder of the player shortages facing some teams out there in the Junior rugby arena. The first home game of the season awaits next weekend as Senghenydd visit the Recreation Ground hoping for revenge following Llantwit’s 29-28 victory last season.