News

The senior section consisting of the First XV, Second XV and Youth teams, had a cracking weekend as not only is it an accomplishment to just field three teams at senior level such is the state of modern rugby but to also notch up three brought great cheer and joy during the traditional post match conviviality back at the clubhouse.
The First XV welcomed Wattstown to The Recreation Ground, The Ducks are always a tough nut to crack and this once again proved to be the case with the home side holding out for a 36-24 win despite a spirited fight back from the visitors. The Blood and Blacks were out of the blocks very quickly and were averaging a point per minute for the first quarter as they raced into the lead with a try from scrum half Ryan Evans and two from wing Evan Holloway. The tries coming after the forwards had laid the platform in gaining quick supremacy in the early exchanges with several strong runs from their loose forwards with blind side Dafi Davies often to the fore, to gain good territory. Evans scampering over from a scrum, followed by Holloway who used his pace for the first and finished off a great backs move with a great example of the the speed of the pass beating defenders.
Wattstown looked completely out of sorts such was the rampaging play of the home side but they kept themselves in the game as they battled back and picked up three penalty kicks to close the gap.
Llantwit though had the final say before the break as Loz Howley kicked a penalty and Holloway crossed for his third to extend the lead and bring the home sides tally to four tries and the bonus point with a 26-9 half time lead.
And it was Holloway who finished off where he left off in the first half crossing for his fourth try to cap a great individual performance this time Llantwit reacting quickly to a loose clearance kick in the Wattstown twenty two to cross in the corner.
You would think that would have been it then for Wattstown with Llantwit commanding such a lead but Wattstown are far too proud and strong a team for that. And bit by bit they battled and battled back into the the game and soon crossed for a well taken try from a driving maul. Then when they crossed again after another long dominant period, and the Llantwit spectators were searching frantically for their watches to see if the visitors had enough time to pull off what would have been a remarkable comeback. Howley though was on hand to kick another penalty to calm the nervous and push the score away . But not before Wattstown had the final say as they scored their third try to cap a great second half comeback in what was a great game.
Man of the Match not surprisingly was awarded to flying winger Evan Holloway. Another good bonus point win for the Llantonians but plenty of food for thought in this one such was the way in which the they squandered such a lead in the second half which the coaching staff will be keen to eradicate and bring in some better game management as the season unfolds.
The second team (The Druids) were also at home as they took on nearby Barry with the unusual sight of both teams playing in Llantwit shirts due to the visitors forgetting to bring their kit with them! The Druids eventually winning a tough encounter 31-22.
It was was a family affair as one set of Bloomfield brothers and father and son Boxalls took to the field for the home side. The try scorers were Emyr Rees, Declan Ellis and Own Jauncey (2) all conversions and penalty kicks by outside half and captain Dan Powell who also kicked the match winning penalty. Rhys Dance the pick of the pack and Ellis at fullback had a fine game.
The youth were on the road as they traveled into the capital to take on Old Illtydians in another close game just edging it 16-15 with tries from Ewan Heywood and Ollie Wong and kicks from Liam Padmore and Chris Ahearn.
There is no first team game this week as Llantwit’s scheduled opponents Gwernyfed are through to the next round of the cup which takes priority. The second team and youth though are both playing at home as they take on Cardiff Lions in the cup and Llanfedw in the league, both games kick off at 2:30pm.

A.H.