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13 September 2019 / Club News

Blood and Blacks start the league with a fine win at Cefn Coed

 

The First XV took to the road for their first outing as they took the long trip up to Merthyr Tydfil to take on Cefn Coed at the Black Patch and returned home in buoyant mood after a 8-30 bonus point win. The game played in perfect conditions was a scrappy affair for the most part still had plenty of highlights as both teams attempted to play open rugby when they could.
Llantwit took no time to get on the score sheet as within minutes of the start full back Josh Austin took hold of a wayward clearance kick from the home side and made a lovely break from his own half and when halted the ball was kept alive and spread quickly through the hands. The three-quarters combining well to open up the defence with some lovely interchanging passes which finally saw wing Rory Budina sniping outside his defender and when he ran out of space up popped hooker Huw Williams on a great supporting run to cross in the corner. Outside half Howley adding the conversion and not long after had extended the visitors lead with a big penalty kick just inside the Cefn half.
Then with twenty minutes on the clock Llantwit crossed again this time the try started with a line out on the Cefn 22, the ball rumbled forward a few metres with a driving maul before being released to the backs. The ball quickly spread wide with a couple of long passes but seemed to have been thwarted in execution before Budina back tracked and then cut a nice run back towards the centre of the field. He then combined well with hooker Williams to scissor the Cefn defence. Williams then  throwing a lovely weighted long pass to outside centre Rhys Balmont who spiralled what was left of the defence to dive in acrobatically in the corner.
Cefn Coed soon bounced back as they kicked a penalty after some good territory had been gained they then closed the gap further as they crossed after some strong runs started inside their own half had Llantwit back peddling and for the first time looking ragged in defence. Cefn punching holes in the defence as they made there way up filed then a lovely long pass from their outside half allowed the left wing to slip over in the corner.
Llantwit ought had the final say of the half with another penalty from Howley after a period of dominance by the Llantwit eight in the tight. The score 8-18 at the break.
The first period of the second half didn’t see any point as the game was arm wrestled back and for between the packs as Cefn battled back into the game and Llantwit just as determined not to yield. Cefn coming the closest to points as they made their way to the line only to be thwarted by a resolute defence or that crucial last pass not going to hand.
As the game went into the last quarter the visitors started edging the game again and a series of good field positions allowed the now dominant Llantwit scrum to trot forward and just as it was disintegrating replacement scrum half Ryan Evans was on hand to scoop up and dive over. Howley adding a further two points.
And the rather small but loyal Llantwit supporters didn’t have to wait long for the bonus point fourth as the visitors finished off in style straight from the restart. A quick kick return saw as the game started with Cefn returning another wayward kick this time collected by Balmont who popped it up to a rampaging replacement flanker Dan Farrell who rounded the covering defence and then it took two further defenders to halt him on the touchline but not before he offloaded brilliantly in true Fijian style to supporting fullback Austin who opened up the gas and rounded the last covering defender.
All in all a good start then for the Blood and Blacks as they picked up the full tally of points on the first weekend and on the road, they will know they will face much sterner opponents in the coming weeks but satisfying all the same. Especially as Cefn Coed are a proud resilient bunch who will no doubt be a formidable opponent as the season grows and will be picking there own points especially at home when the weather becomes a contributing force.
Man of the Match was hooker Huw Williams who had a strong and adventurous game, further mention going Dan Farrell and Kyle Paylor who made big contributions from the bench.
This week the Llantonians are at home as they face Vale rivals Old Penarthians, always a formidable opponent the two games last season finishing one apiece. The day will also see another open Community Day at the club which will include starting at 12pm; Live-music, bbq, stalls, bouncy castles, ice cream a Cardiff Blues Community arena with rugby sessions for children and two mini tag team games before the big game kicks off at 2:30pm.

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