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A typical blood and guts derby game saw the Blood and Blacks just edge out a spirited Old Penarthians 13-16 at the Cwrt Y Vil playing fields. 

The game kicked off in front of a big festive holiday crowd buoyed by a large Llantwit following at Penarth. And immediately the tone was set by the home side who hammered into the visitors with some big plays combined with some good field positioning kicks was putting the league leaders under pressure for long periods. The Llantwit defence though was up to the task and just did enough to hold them out, a solitary penalty kick for a tackle offence the only score breaking the deadlock.
It was then time for the visitors to start exerting their own pressure especially at the scrummage which by now was already causing the Old Pens pack problems as it retreated repeatedly. The home side though did remarkably well in still getting the ball away from danger and in doing so did just enough not to incur any penalties.
The next period was a cagey affair mostly in the centre of the field as both teams battled for supremacy, Llantwit just starting to edge proceedings but were time and time again let down by some uncharacteristic handling errors and in no small part by a resolute visitors defence.
Llantwit though on a rare entry to the Old Pens 22 took for the first time complete control as they first edged a scrum, then took a line out from a resultant penalty kick. First held up after their driving maul turned into a ruck, they were awarded a scrum ten metres out, which the visitors admirably managed to hold. But as it broke and the inevitable edge forward to the line began with several forwards coming close to scrambling over Llantwit changed tactic and whisked the ball out and with a lovely example of the old manta of ‘letting the ball do the work’ was put through the hands of the entire back line to allow wing Evan Holloway to a scamper out over in front of the delighted travelling support . A great team try with the ground work done by the hard working pack finished off in style by the backs. Howley putting the icing on the cake with a great conversion from out wide. 
With possession and decisions now starting to go in their favour, Llantwit were threatening to edge clear and you were wondering then whether the home side would start to break such was the effort they had been putting in without much reward. 
Llantwit quickly answering the question, as straight from the kick off with a distinct lack of game control and discipline saw them immediately concede a penalty, which was happily slotted over comfortably by the home sides confidant kicker.
Llantwit to their credit did go back to basics and started again exerting pressure and were making headway but couldn’t just find a way through. They were though awarded a penalty kick for a trip on a kick chaser in the 22, with the one eyed Llantwit supporters in unison and of course ever so politely, asking the question of a card, the match official chose a warning. Outside-half Loz Howley calmly slotting the three points.
Once again Old Pens responded this time in emphatic style just before the break. As they took advantage of some further Llantwit lapses and with a penalty line out on Llantwit’s 22; they first trundled forward with a loose maul and a charge at the line before resetting and quick thinking by the outside-half in sporting a gap as he raced over without a Llantwit hand in touching distance. With the conversion good the score at half time was once again level at 13-13. 
The second half only saw a further three points, so you would think was a dull affair, as the darkness slowly fell across the grounds. But you couldn’t be further from the truth as this was nothing but dull as both teams just didn’t let up, battering each other constantly till the final whistle. Llantwit had the clear possession throughout and must have spent most of the second half in the home sides half. But as much as they mustered they just couldn’t find a way through a brilliant display of defence by the home side especially in the midfield where Llantwit’s attack was just never given any room to move in. Also great credit for the stale mate has to also go to the home sides number eight who put in a great performance in retrieving ball from a rapidly retreating scrum.
Llantwit had plenty of opportunities such was their dominant possession but were time and time again undone also by their lack of control knocking on far too frequently and giving away too many penalties especially at the breakdown. 
It was the home side, however, whose ill discipline proved costliest as first their go to loose forward was yellow carded for some shenanigans which caused a dust up and then not long after his return a further yellow card was shown for a blatant knock on when Llantwit’s back line were lining up an overlap on the Old Pens 22. And it was this last infringement which would settle the game, as Loz Howley pointed to the posts, the nerves started to rise amongst the supporters. This was not a straightforward kick it was a difficult angle and a good 30m out. And the way the game was being played out was surely going to be the last chance.  Howley though as cool as the cold side of a pillow took his time and calmly slotted over.
The rest of the game a matter for an exhausted set of players on both sides to battle it out, the visitors just clinging onto their precarious lead as Old Pens desperately tried to get some field position to grab something from the game but alas to no avail much to a very relived Llantwit team and their supporters.
A good very hard game then which Llantwit will not be happy with their overall performance but will be encouraged that they came through, winning ugly, in what was an incredibly stern test for them. And easily the hardest game they have played so far. Man of the Match was number eight Rob Carter who was a colossus in his carrying. Further mention going to the entire pack including veteran Tony Burrows whose ageing body was once again called upon at the scrummage coal face. 
There is now know let up the boys need to recover quickly from this exhausting game as this week they entertain Tonyrefail back at The Rec. 
Tonyrefail now lie in second place in the league having after a spluttering start to the season, completely turned things around and are now being strongly tipped to upset Llantwit’s rise and looking strongly for promotion themselves. Another hum dinger awaits then, kick off is at 2:30pm.