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The Blood and Blacks will be having conflicting views on this 9-9 result as they surely will be disappointed they did not win, mightily relieved they did not lose but just as gutted it was a draw. No one gets much excited about a draw but for a game that was try-less this was an entertaining contest, possibly more from the rugby purists point of view, but intriguing all the same.
The game seldom broke from a plodding pace throughout as both sides played structured, slow rugby, kicking for territory and content to play one-out rugby more often than not.
Both Llantwit and Wattstown possess exceptional defences, so with a rain soaked arena and a gale blowing it was no surprise that this game was played out in the main between the two 10-metre lines with no quarter given. The deadlock broken in the first half with three penalty kicks awarded to the visitors which outside half Loz Howley slotted over. So 9-0 up at half time and beginning to squeeze the Wattstown pack in the scrummage the message at half time was for the Llantonians to up the pace of the game further and start managing the ball more effectively especially in retention. But whether it was the gale blowing this message was certainly not heeded as Llantwit spent the second half being drawn more and more into a ten man rugby game which suited the home side and the conditions.  And it was Wattstown with a forward pack crafted to win with physicality and muscle up front, they were so on clawing the points back first with two penalty kicks and then as the game was head me for another three point win for Llantwit at 6-9. The home side outside half on a rare venture deep into the Llantwit struck a beauty of drop goal against the wind to level the scores.
Llantwit did have one last chance to pinch the spoils as they were awarded a penalty but it wasn’t far inside the Wattstown half and at an awkward angle. Howley’s kick was heading over but just falling agonisingly short.
Despite the home side having the most possession in this game a stalemate was probably the result on a day when both sides had their moments but neither could conjure the sort of moment of quality required to break the deadlock with neither side ever looking like scoring a try.
Man of the Match was young Ethan White who was making his debut for the first team at full back, at only eighteen years he showed great maturity and was tested several times on his catching and covering which he dealt with admirably. Further mention to prop Kyle Paylor who had a solid game in the scrum and put a big shift in with his defensive tackling around the ruck area.
Llantwit will then be despondent this week as this was the first game they had dropped points in their season. There were some pluses from this game the scrum and line out went well and the defensive display could not be faulted. They just seem to have hit a rut at the moment and need to get their zip back as the chasing teams will certainly also have noticed and will be upping the pressure from here on in.
This week we welcome another mid table opponent in Gwernyfed, from Powys to the Recreation Ground. Kick off is at 2:30pm