Fixture

Having kicked off the season with a home game against Morriston RFC, this week Llantwit Major RFC under 14 Tigers headed west on the M4 for the return fixture.

It was great to see all 12-players making themselves available and being eager to put into practice what had been worked on in Thursday’s training session.  The focus of that, for the forwards at least, was to move away from single runners from the base of the ruck and to instead work together by communicating and supporting the ball carrier.  In doing this the boys should be able to make more ground and retain possession.

The target of the game was set before kick off, and that was to forget about the scoreboard and just keep working on that simple change.  

The challenges started before the game however, with one player having forgotten boots and gumshield, but that was quickly resolved with the help of the Morriston coach and a local Sports Direct.  The problem of player numbers was also resolved with the help of the home team, who were happy to loan a couple of forwards and a winger to the visitors.

Following kick off on a soggy pitch but in bright sunshine, the main problem for the visitors  was holding onto the ball in the face of ferocious competition at the breakdown by Morriston.  With only 12-players in the squad this sort of thing is difficult to practice in training, but the boys more than fronted up, counter-rucking and jackling on a number of occasions to steal opposition ball.  When they did get hold of the ball, the Tigers showed real determination and were clearly looking to put into practice everything they had learnt.  Man of the match, Jakub Jeziorski led by example, hitting every breakdown and being a real nuisance all game.

Although considered a developing team in the Ospreys region, the home outfit once again demonstrated the gulf in levels by taking swift control of the scoreboard with direct running and great finishing.  By the start of the second half the Tigers were well behind, but once again they showed their improved maturity and team ethos and just kept plugging away.  Eventually, with some great out of hand kicking by outside-half, James Wharfe matched by smart line out play, the visitors were able to work their way into the opposition 22.  

With an initial break from a pre-planned line out move, second row, Rob Dixon was able to make ground.  Hooker Corey Cox then took the ball on further before a charge by prop Ben Raymond got the ball within 5-metres of the opposition line.   It was the hooker who then popped up again and dived over the line to get a try for the Tigers.  This was converted by James Wharfe.  This was real evidence of the work the boys have been doing in training being carried into a game and was something the boys fully deserved.

Although the home teams dominance was never really in question, they will know that they have been in a match.   The trajectory for the Tigers is still positive, and what is more pleasing is that even in defeat the boys could see that improvements have been made and remained positive and upbeat about the future.

Congratulations to Morriston who were great hosts.  The Tigers look forward to closer games in the future.