News

The Youth section travelled into the heart of the Blue’s region to play their home fixture against Barry RFC Youth on the Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday.

The traveling Blood and Blacks knew what to expect from their rivals, having played and beaten them on the previous two occasions, and were not shocked when from the kick-off the ball was tucked up the jersey and kept in the Barry forwards.
Llantwit Youth dealt with the early onslaught from the forwards and kept them away from the Llantwit try line with some devastating hard tackling led by captain Callum Patrick Stephens, which eventually led to turn over ball and the trusted boot of outside half Iestyn Jones kicking a 40 yard clearance kick.
Llantwit could sense early on that the game was theirs and they attacked every lineout and scrum stealing countless ball which was then fed with precision from No.9 Steffen Godwin into the Llantwit three quarters of Tom Slimings and Evan Holloway who pressured the Barry backs culminating in the opening try to wing Ben Simpson in the left hand corner. (5-0)
This game play continued from the secured kick-off into the safe hands of prop Jake Peers and support running off the ball from locks Connor Tredgold and Ieuan Moss (returning to competitive sport after a 2 year injury lay-off) and providing Jones with ample opportunity to put accurate cross field kicks into the waiting hands of Right winger Steffen Bugler, who danced around opposition and should have had more for his efforts!
Llantwit were dictating everything, and it was a joy for the traveling supporters who were cheering a 60 yard break moments later when centre Holloway broke 3 tackles and then sprinted around the Barry backs culminating in a try under posts converted by Jones (12-0).
With minutes of the half remaining, and the ball won from the kick off Barry could do nothing except be off-side presenting an easy 3 points for Jones to slot the first half finishing 15-0.
The second half started much the same the first half finished, and with changes in the front row for Scott Ankin with Rhodri Miskin and Joe Hanson on for Ryan Allison the pack had fresh legs to help maintain the onslaught from the Barry forwards. 
The continued Llantwit dominance showed when moments later open side Cai Jones picked up and drove with support from Cory Campbell and Braiden Bennett over the Barry Line just off the right hand upright making the following conversion easy for Jones (22-0).
Barry could see the writing on the wall, but like the battling team we have come to know continued to play at every opportunity and a change of style saw the ball delivered into the wingers hand who went over in the right hand corner and the kick converted to give some respectability to the game and for their efforts (22-7).
Barry must have been kicking themselves, and questioned their original game plan as again they put the ball wide into the same wingers hands who but for a devastating tackle by lock Hanson on the corner flag would have been in for another certain try.
Llantwit took the lineout and cleared the pressure, and the spectators must have thought two pro twelve teams were playing when for the next minute of play we were treated to an aerial display from both sets of kickers, which eventually led to a Barry knock-on and scrum to the Blood and blacks on their own 10 meter line.
The scrum was won and quick passing from Godwin, Jones and Slimings into Holloways waiting hands saw another trademark smash through 2 sets of tackles and a 45 yard sprint around the already tired Barry players to score just off the left hand upright, again making the kick for Jones easy although on performance he probably could have got it with his eyes shut! (29-7)
The game was won and with minutes left, Llantwit were playing training park moves and passing the ball with very little problem and should have had another try but for a knock on. The ref blew the whistle and brought to an end a very good performance from an unbeaten Llantwit side in the Blues BF league 2016-2017.
Next up for the Blood and Blacks, is Kenfig Hill Youth at the club ground on the 14th January for a Non-League fixture which will see a step up in opposition and a sterner test for this brilliant and developing unit. All visitors and supports welcome for a 2pm Kick-Off.
Team: Callum Patrick Stephens (C), Scott Ankin, Jake Peers, Ieuan Moss, Connor Tredgold, Cory Campbell, Cai Jones, Braiden Bennett, Steffen Godwin, Iestyn Jones, Tom Slimings, Evan Holloway, Ben Simpson, Steffen Bugler, Rhys Richards, Rhodri Miskin, Ryan Allison and Joe Hanson