Fixture

Having suffered the potentially devastating loss of 10 players over the Summer, the remaining 12 players of Llantwit Major U14 Tigers took the field for the first game of the season against a full strength Morriston outfit.

With both teams desperate for game time after the Summer break and with Morriston having a strong squad of 24-players, the visitors were happy to lend some players to the home team, so the game kicked off with 3-Morriston players ironically in their normal red and black match shirts playing against their own team mates who played in white with with their match shirts reversed.

Although many of the Morriston team were clearly still learning the game, it was evident that they still contained a good number of confident, experienced players.  This sadly was not replicated on the side of the home team who fielded a number of players with very little experience. 

That being said, the opening exchanges saw both teams demonstrate a little rustiness, but ultimately it was Morriston who settled more quickly into the game, showing the benefit of that extra experience and pulling away into a comfortable lead.

What was great to see was the spirit of the Llantwit Major players during this phase of the game.  In previous seasons, heads would have dropped and fingers would have been pointed to the detriment of the team.  This time however, the boys showed great team spirit and pulled together with determination to try and get something from the game.

With Morriston extending their lead in the second half, their coaches continually swapped out their experienced players, and eventually a level of parity was found. This lead to a storming last 10-minutes by the home team that saw them outscore the opposition by two tries to one.  The first try was created from a solid scrum deep in their own half, seeing the ball moved along the back line to the winger who in free space was able to escape the scramble defence and score under the posts.  This was successfully converted by new number 10, James Wharfe.  Boosted by the first score, the second quickly followed with a real team effort and huge determination shown by forwards and backs to wrestle control of the ball and burst through at close range.

At the final whistle, it was the visitors who were clear winners on the scoreboard.  But the Tigers can take many positives from the game and will only get better for the experience.  Lineouts were a huge success, with 100% record on their own throws and moves from the practice pitch being brought into the game with great effect.  And at full back, Dexter Milburn showed massive determination in stopping a number of try scoring opportunities on his way to the man of the match award.  

All credit to Morriston for the victory, and also for the spirit they showed in making sure the game could take place in the first place.  The Tigers will look forward to the return fixture in a couple of weeks time.