Fixture

In Indian summer conditions, and resplendent in their brand new match shirts, the combined Llantwit Major U15 and U16 team kicked off the 2021/22 season with a home game against regular opponents, Cambrian Colts.

With 21-players making themselves available for selection, the coaches spent some time before kickoff planning starters and subs to make sure that each player played a minimum of half a game.  So with the team sheet sorted, the game kicked off with the home team playing up the gentle slope on the first team pitch at Llantwit Major RFC.  

It was the visitors who made the best start however, using forward power to score three quick, but unconverted, tries to take a rapid 15-nil lead.  With a dominant scrum and aggressive line out defence restricting access to the ball for the home team things were looking a little ominous.

Eventually though, a period of pressure by Llantwit forced an error from Cambrian. From their own line, a poor clearance kick went straight to hooker Corey Cox who drove through, to start the scoring for the home team. This was soon followed by a typically dynamic break by inside centre Dylan Marsh who crossed from distance to take the score to 10-15.   But the last action of the half came from Cambrian, who went over again for a converted try to take the teams into half-time at 10-22.

With encouraging words from the coaches and some fresh legs introduced, the home team came flying out of the blocks, putting huge pressure on the hesitant Cambrian defence, forcing mistakes and creating opportunities to run into space. 

First to strike was Dylan Marsh who showed some sublime skill on the run to chip over the top of the oncoming defence, catch his own kick then race away to score under the posts. 

Next, a perfect supporting line allowed Dexter Milburn to benefit from a charging run from outside centre Kelyn Joseph, who intelligently offloaded for the fullback to dot down under the posts. With a challenging breeze making shots at goal difficult, Ieuan Harrison’s persistence was finally rewarded with his conversion sailing straight between the posts to bring the scores level on 22-all.

At this stage there seemed to be only one team in the game, and that was underlined by the next score which went to home team captain, Jakub Jeziorski, who charged down the right flank to dive over in the corner to extend the lead with an unconverted try. 

With time running out, it was Cambrian who were to have the last word however, when a tiring home defence was eventually outpaced on the right flank. And with the ball dotted down under the posts to bring the scores level at 27-all, it seemed certain that Cambrian were going to snatch the win.  

Amazingly however, the evenly balanced match was to be reflected in the final score, as the conversion thumped into the left hand upright of the famous Llantwit Major posts.  

With only a couple of minutes left, the game eventually ended with the score at 27 points all, which was a fair reflection of the two teams after a close and hard fought game. Credit to both teams but especially to home players Corey Cox and Dylan Marsh who were both presented with man of the match awards and also to outside half Daniel Taylor who had to leave the game with an injured arm during the second half. 

Plenty to work on for the home team, but off to an encouraging start.