Fixture

Having had 4 weeks off due to cancellations and Christmas the Under 16’s finally got back to action with a new year’s fad that hopefully won’t falter anytime soon. Aberavon Green Stars were the first visitors to the Recreation Ground of 2018 and it was they who started the stronger. Keeping the ball tight in difficult conditions, the hosts had to withstand phase after phase of defensive work as Starts looked to soften up the defence. After several minutes camped in their own half, Llantwit found respite with a good clearing kick by fullback Ethan White. The resulting pressure ended with White making a break for the line and popping the ball to Number 8 Chris A’Hearn who went over from close range. Undeterred Stars continued to put pressure on after the kick off before being hit with a second sucker punch. Scrum half Harvey Kwan picked up a dropped pass and three passes later Flanker Tom Veysey crossed to take Llantwit into a 12-0 lead. Ethan White added another try with a clever chip and chase before converting his own try. Stars didn’t lie down and instead went back to making hard yards with some powerful running around the fringes. After a period of sustained pressure on the Llantwit line they crossed in the corner to make the score 19-5. As the half wore on the home side started using the wind to their advantage putting the ball down into the corners. The resulting pressure gave the forwards a great opportunity with a lineout 5 yards out. A well-executed catch and drive allowed Flanker Josh Jones to get the touchdown and Llantwit were 24-5 up. The visitors knowing that a 20 point margin would be a good turnaround with the conditions pushed to reduce the deficit and on the stroke of half time Llantwit produced a moment of magic to warm the hands. Turning the ball over on their own 5 yard line, they moved the ball wide through Tom Veysey and Sam Croucher, who in turn found Winger Morgan Heselton who sprinted 90 metres to score under the posts. With a 31-5 lead at half time the home team were confident that they could use the slope to counteract the hastening wind.

Straight from the kick off Llantwit showed they were in no mood to surrender their lead and started to move the ball with confidence. After a few phases going left and right, Ethan White found himself in space to break through the defence and he coasted to the try line for his second try. White added his hat-trick minutes later Aberavon’s confidence looked shattered and at 45-5 Llantwit looked as if they might soon end the game. Cyan Baron scored his first try in Llantwit colours after brushing off several would be tacklers to go over under the posts and with Llantwit now 52-5 up the game seemed to be heading to a 50 point forfeit. Some stern words from the Green Stars coach seemed to motivate their players with the team going back to basics. With the pick and drive back in fashion Stars added a second try that was well converted by the Stars 10. Llantwit started to lose discipline and begun to give the ball away on a regular basis handing Stars some much needed territory. With the heavy conditions telling the last 10 minutes become a series of errors until Stars finished with a well-deserved final try. A final score of 52-19 and a game that could have been closer had Llantwit not excelled in a 10 minute period either side of half time.

A good start to 2018 in a year that’ll see the team finish their junior rugby careers being the first junior Welsh side to tour Sweden. Next week will see them travel to Old Penarthians to enjoy a Vale derby where they will be looking be maintain a good start to the year.