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The First XV kept their unbeaten tag with another hard-fought and narrow win at the Recreation Ground against visitors Tonyrefail 15-13. Two tries from wing Rory Budina and a penalty  and conversion from the boot of Loz Howley was just enough to sneak a win against an impressive and resilient opponent. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season Llantwit won comfortably, but this was a different side who arrived in town last Saturday.

Straight from the kick off there was an anticipation of what they would bring to the game and they took no time in showing their wares with plenty of early hits and some fast running loose forwards. With Llantwit scrambling all over the park in defence it was no surprise then that the visitors were first over the whitewash. Their try coming after a long period of possession finally saw them gain an overlap and with some nice handing went over in the corner at the School End. The conversion though sailing just wide. 
Llantwit to add to their lacklustre start were then dealt a heavy blow with their talisman in player/coach Stu Edbrooke leaving the field with a nasty bout of concussion. Tonyrefail maintained their dominance throughout the remainder of the first half with Llantwit virtually penned in their own half. Although they didn’t muster much attacking flair they more than made up for it in a solid defensive performance which limited the visitors to the solitary try despite the lions share of possession. And before the break clawed back some vital points with a penalty kick by Howley. The half time score despite one way traffic 3-5.
Some strong words must have been said in the Llantwit huddle during the break as they started the second half in furious style with some good periods of possession which led to a lovely set of phases culminating with number eight Jamie Lewis giving a lovely pass out of the tackle to wing Rory Budina, who sped over in the corner. Howley converting from near the touchline to allow Llantwit to take the lead for the first time at 10-5. 
But just as good the visitors soon came storming back and after what seemed an eternity of possession in the Llantwit 22, the solid Llantwit defensive wall, finally crumbled with the Tonyrefail tight forwards rumbling over. The conversion though was just a tad too wide for their kicker and the scoreline remained deadlocked at 10-10.
With the game fast heading into the last quarter it was no place for the faint hearted as both teams hammered into each other in search of the points to pinch this enthralling game. And there was no edge given as first Llantwit had opportunities to cross but were held back, before Tonyrefail would pinch possession and then camp themselves in the home sides 22. And so they went at it to and fro, time and time again, much to the dismay of both sets of nervous supporters. The deadlock finally broken by Llantwit conceding a scrummage penalty in kicking range, which Tonyrefail slotted over for a three point window. 
Llantwit though were not done yet and straight from the kick off put pressure on Tonyrefail and pegged them back and when they got some possession starting using their driving maul to great effect going on several trips deep into the red zone and thought they had got their just rewards when once such endeavour allowed the backs to spread the ball wide to wing Evan Holloway to cross in the corner. But the Llantwit lines man very honestly in the circumstances judged that he had a foot in touch and over ruled the match official. Despondent and dismayed as they were Llantwit with great character immediately went back to task and digging deep with some lung busting work a repeat of the same circumstances soon developed and this time they weren’t to be undone as they spread it the opposite way and fellow wing Budina went over in the corner but well in field. Howley couldn’t add the conversion so it was now squeaky bum time with the score at 15-14 now just minutes left on the clock could Tonyrefail find one last effort. And they came mighty close but the Blood and Blacks just had enough left in their arsenal to see it out.
Another narrow win then for the league leaders and there will be a lot of work going on this week on the training paddock as by their own self appraisal they feel they are not firing on all cylinders at the moment but what they can take from this game is a great display of guts and determination to battle back and take the spoils. 
Man of the Match was our grandad prop in Tony Burrows who at the soon to be ripe age of fifty had to once again don his ageing boots for the cause. Further mention going to tight forwards Dan Bawden and Jamie Lewis who had powerful performances. And one last commendation to our lines man and vice chairman David ’Wes’ Liscombe who now has very much the tongue in cheek, the label of being the only honest lines man in community rugby. Well done Mr Liscombe there is only one way to win and that is by fair means not foul.
This week the Llantonians have yet another tough task ahead of them as they take the always daunting trip to the heart of the Rhondda Valley to face Wattstown, who are in a rich vein of form and will have the target of being the first to topple the league leaders. Kick off is at 2:30pm.