The First XV got back to winning ways after the first Six Nations break on Saturday as they recorded a comfortable 34-7 win against Ferndale in this league encounter. On the day an earthquake struck South Wales, the Recreation Ground was an epicentre of activity straight from the off as the home side raced into a 7-0 lead within minutes of the kick off. The score coming from lock Dan Bawden’s try and outside half Laurence Howley’s conversion after some good forward drives. With Llantwit playing towards the School End it wasn’t long before more pressure from the pack gave Howley a chance to extend the lead further with a three point penalty. Ferndale then started to get a grip of the game be it that most was from a aggressive defensive line, but it was enough to keep the home side out as the game approached the half hour mark. But after a period of intense pressure from Llantwit with some strong runs in particular from number eight Gareth Watts; a touch line penalty kick gave Llantwit great field position with a line out in the visitors 22. And predictably once the ball was secured the pack set off on a driving maul in a hunt for the white wash, Ferndale managing to stop the drive once but on the second attempt the ever youthful lock Shaun Shea with a monkey grip of the ball was not to be stopped for a converted try. And that was not to be the end of the action before the break as some more gains in territory gave Howley a chance to show his soccer skills as he pounced on a loose ball in open play and then dribbled the ball over the line before touching down, the half time whistle soon following to give Llantwit a 22-0 lead at the break. The second half started with a turn of fortune as outside half Howley after contributing twelve points in the first half produced a right howler in gifting the visitors seven points as he unwisely decided to try a foolhardy audacious pass between his legs on facing a loose bobbling ball on the ground. The plan going horribly wrong as a Ferndale back intercepted the wild pass and raced 60m to go score under the post for a converted try. The home side though soon rallied and after a period of intense pressure on the visitors 22 with some good interlinking between forwards and backs, centre Kian Spillane who was making a welcome return from a lengthy injury lay off showed some lovely footwork to break the defence and then release full back Rhys Balmont for Llantwit’s fourth try and a well deserved bonus point. Ferndale it would seam by the scoreline didn’t put up much resistance but this would be far from the truth as they never gave up their aggressive tackling and looked to run the ball right to the death. One such play bringing about an exciting break from their 22 which led to their left wing racing up the touchline for what appeared to be a certain try only for him to be hauled down by a great cover tackle by Howley to make some amends from his earlier indiscretion. The last score coming later from Llantwit as they stretched the Ferndale defence for a final time and some lovely handling in the three quarters allowed Balmont to race clear once again for a converted try. Man of the Match was youth player Ieuan Moss who on making his debut for the senior side showed great maturity with an assured performance on the wing. With further mention going to Huw Williams who had a great game at hooker often making the crucial link in attacking play. This then was a good performance but the next two games will be much tougher affairs as the Llantonians take on the two teams above them in the league as they face Caerau Ely away followed by Ynysowen back at The Rec. They also picked up two yellow cards in this game which is something the coaches will want to limit. First though there is another break this week for the Six Nations as Wales take on Ireland, all games will be shown at the Clubhouse with members and non members warmly welcomed.
AH
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