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Not to be outdone by the first team, Llantwit Major RFC second team, The Druids also came away with the spoils as they took on Heol Y Cyw back on their home patch at the Recreation Ground winning a close encounter 12-7.

The match kicked off with the Druids playing towards the Bowling Green end and for most was a game of ‘tit for tat’ as both teams sized up to each other with a series of plays back and forth across the park. But no score materialised as the defensive lines matched each other in putting in big hits when it counted most.
Soon though, some strong runs from Dean Bunting and Tom Winter gave the Druids a platform to provide some multiple phase play as they slowly edged towards the visitors try line but each time they managed to create a scoring opportunity they were found wanting for that elusive last pass to go to hand.
The game grinding out to a ‘nul points’ score as the half time whistle blew.
The game soon sparked into life as Heol Y Cyw came out of the blocks with all guns blazing and after a series of pick and goes they finally broke the Druids defensive line for a converted try. 
A clear message was quickly put out from the old heads in the team in Captain David Liscombe and pack leader Mathew Young to not panic and let the game slip away after all the hard work of the first half. The Druids responding admirably as they dug deep and returned quickly to the defensive wall which had served them so well.
Then as the game booked back and for once again some big runs from the Druid pack again asked questions of the stout visitors defence, the line finally broken as big Nathan Howells broke through with a strong run leaving several defenders in his wake, then when he was finally being hauled down he managed a lovely offload to Mathew Young who had been running a great support line to power over the whitewash at the School End. The try complemented with a conversion from the dependable Powell.
With the score now at a 7-7 stalemate the Druids made good use of their bench, to ensure fresh legs and to finally get on top of a very awkward scrum, and with the visitors pack now going back at a rate of knots it gave Powell just the right opportunity to nurse his pack forward with an excellent kicking game.
With the Druids now dominating the winning score soon came with wing Rhys David rounding off some great team work and interplay between forwards and backs. The big forward runners getting over the gain line and with strong clearing out ensuring quick ball, it was eventually fed out to the left allowing the Druids three quarters to show some excellent draw and give passes for David to squeeze in at the corner. The resulting conversion kick just too far out on this occasion for the missed by the normally dependable Powell.
So with the clock now ticking slowly down to the final whistle it was all hands to the pump as Heol Y Cyw threw everything at the Druids in a last ditch attempt to snatch the win from under their noses. With the whole team putting in a huge defensive effort and some excellent try saving tackles from David, Young and wing James Elliott, Llantwit were not going to let the game slip and finally they managed to get a turnover and quickly hoofed the ball in to touch to celebrate a well deserved win.
Man of the match was Tom Winter who put in a great display particularly with several tackle breaking runs. Further mention going to scrum half Steff Godwin who was making a welcome return at scrum half after a lengthy injury, Rhys Ellis who stepped up from the back row to play hooker and newcomers to the Druids loose forward Alex Keeton, wing Aaron Ketley and fullback Owen Jauncey who all had solid displays.
The club would also like to thank coach Graeme Williams who has once again put away the pipe and slippers to help out with the team. His guidance evident in some nice shape developing in the Druids play.
This week the Druids are on the road again as they travel across the Vale to take on Bridgend Sports, kick off at 2:30pm.
Also in action at the Rec were the youth team who after a good start fell away as they lost to Llanharan 15-35. The young Llantonians racing into a 7-0 lead as some good ball retention 
from their backline and some excellent quick passing allowed Dylan Holloway to storm over for a converted try. They then extended their lead as impressive captain and back row player Cai Jones made a scintillating break in racing over 55 meters to crash over out wide. Llanharan managing a converted try of their own to take the score to 15-7.
As the half time whistle went it was a pity it wasn’t the final whistle as the second half was a complete change in fortune for the home side. The Llanharan side taking complete hold of the game and soon caught up with the home side score before comfortably racing away with the game. The youth coaches and senior players calling for more commitment on the training ground in their post match de-briefs if this young side are to realise their true potential.

MK/AH