Fixture

Line-speed.  Tackling.  Comms.  Tick.  Tick.  Tick.   

That was the debrief to the team from head coach Mathew Dixon following this week’s home game for the combined Llantwit Major U15 and U16 team.  It was all that needed to be said, as the team had just put on a great display against a good team comprising of a combined Senghenydd RFC and Bedwas RFC; unofficially known as Snegwass!

With the scars of last week’s loss on the 4G surface away at Caerphilly RFC still fresh, this week’s game was going to be as much a mental test as a physical one, especially when the visitors appeared as big and organised as last week’s opponents in their warm-up.  Unlike last week however, the Llantwit team was stronger with players returning from injury or illness allowing everyone to start in their usual position.  There was even the luxury of having 3-substitutes.

On top of this there was the recent memory of Thursday night’s hard training session, where the coaches sought to address some specific issues from Sunday’s game.  This theme was carried forward into today’s warmup, and the objective of the match was simply to see the boys improve in those areas.  

In another contrast to last week’s perfect, if a little unforgiving 4G surface, the soft Illtyd Avenue pitch transformed both teams into a muddy mess even before kick-off, but apart from the underfoot conditions, the day was mild with little wind and a watery sun attempting to break through the clouds.  

With the advantage of the slight slope in the first half it was the visitors who started the stronger, with some direct running from their forwards, and elusive runs and clever kicking from their backs allowing them to build a commanding lead.  The home team however were always making a game of it, and the signs of improvement could be seen, especially in the attitude shown in defence where outside centre Kelyn Joseph again took charge, organising and orchestrating the home defence and putting pressure on the opposition with aggressive line-speed, forcing mistakes and gaining field position.

It was also good to see an improved offensive performance from the team who kept hammering away at the Snegwass defence looking for opportunities.  Due to the conditions these were limited, but one moment of brilliance lifted the sprits of the home team just before half time when fullback Dexter Milburn broke a tackle then stepped inside a covering defender to sprint clear down the left flank for a try from the half-way line, just managing to ground the ball under pressure from a determined defender.

With the tricky conversion just missed by Jack Robson, that was the last score of the first half, so the teams went into the interval at 5-24.

Reminded again of the objectives of the game from the coaches, and boosted by some fresh legs, the second half saw the home team improve on their first half performance, with communication in the backline audible to everyone.  Discipline also began to be an issue for the visitors who on more than one occasion got on the wrong side of referee Liam Padmore, even resulting in a yellow card for persistent backchat.  Frustratingly, although playing with all the momentum, Llantwit Major were not able to get across the line, although flanker Kieron Martin came close, just losing control of the ball with the line at his mercy.

Defensively again the home team stood up.  A crunching tackle in midfield drew cheers from the crowd, while a spectacular tap tackle late in the half by inside centre Dylan Marsh saved a certain try on one wing, and a clear chance on the other was extinguished by great covering work by the backs.  It looked certain that the second half would end nil-nil, but the visitors finally managed to find a way through the tiring home defence with the last play of the day to make the scores at the final whistle 5-31.

Congratulations to Snegwass for their win, but huge credit goes to the Llantwit Major team who even with a loss could walk away from the game knowing that they had made a huge improvement from their last performance and can look forward to next week’s fixture away to Porthcawl with real optimism