News

On a warm glorious Bank Holiday weekend the First XV had their final warm up game against Pontrhydyfen RFC from the Afan Valley, the Llantonians winning the game 19-7.

The game was as is the norm in warm-up games played in four, twenty minute periods which considering the heat at least gave the players a well earned rest and opportunity to hydrate.
The encounter didn’t start well for the home side as a tough and abrasive Pont side who were more than a match for their opponents in the tackle area made a series of drives into their half and several penalties later a strong driving maul brought the first score with a converted try.
The Llantonians though were quick to respond, putting pressure on the catcher from the restart and then from a resultant line out they made a series of forward drives which then saw prop Dave Taylor charge over, converted by Josh Austin to level the scores.
The next try came from a well worked line out well inside the Llantwit half, the ball thrown to Alex Keeton at the back, passed it down to Rhys Balmont, the scrum half spotting a gap, went through the line out and then sped off on a great individual run leaving the Pont defence in tatters as he rounded the final defender and went under the posts, again converted by Austin.
This sadly though was the end of any really exciting play as the rest of the game confined itself to a battle between the packs at the tackle area.
The only other action of note was a well taken try towards the end by the home pack, who used some line out ball from Joe Hartley to organise themselves into a good driving maul which was eventually driven over by Dave Taylor for his second score.
Man of the Match was young Evan Holloway at centre, who still a youth player showed glimpses of both skill and courage well above his years. 
This Saturday the rugby starts in earnest as the First XV take on the Old Penarthians at home in their first league fixture, kick off at 2:30pm. Then the following week they make the long trip over to Cowbridge to renew the local derby.
Also this Saturday there will be a home, Second XV game (or The Druids as they are fondly known) against Llanharan Seconds, k.o. the same at 2:30pm.