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With fifty mile an hour winds accompanied by horizontal torrential rain then oilskins and a pair of galoshes were the order of the day to watch this league encounter at the Recreation Ground which Llantwit Major RFC won comfortably 42-3. Those who didn’t venture out to watch missed a treat as Storm Brian was no match for the Llantonians as they racked up eight tries, an astonishing achievement considering the conditions.

Llantwit making several changes to their starting line up from last weeks game on winning the toss elected to play into the gale in the first half were pushed back early as Hirwaun started at a frantic pace in an attempt to take advantage of the conditions and were soon rewarded with a penalty kick for their efforts.
For the visitors though this was the last time they would put points on the scoreboard as Llantwit soon settled into the game and began to exert their forward strength on their opponents. A fine typical charging run from Gareth Watts gave good field position for the new half back partnership of Steff Godwin and Chris Jones to release their three quarters who sliced open the Hirwaun defence allowing Joel Thomas to cut back inside and race over for a great display of handling in such dreadful conditions.
A second try soon followed as Llantwit bravely in the conditions kept to their game plan and after the pack set up good field position they once again found some room outside this time though it was lock Dan Bawden who found the space and on stretching his legs broke free up the touch line as his legs tired he was relieved to see Rory Budina on his shoulder and a lovely offload allowed the wing to score.
The next try was another peach of good handling as forwards and backs combined to keep the ball in play before full back Rhys Balmont showed his silky skills to leave the visitors defence in tatters.
A fourth try came before the break as Budina once again had too much gas for his opponents.
The second half started as the first ended with Budina once again crossing at the School End within minutes of the restart.
You would think with five tries in the bag this was now becoming a rout but this was far from the truth as Hirwaun made the home side work hard for every point scored and never gave up in any quarter as the physio table will no doubt tell in the week such was the bumps and bruises being dished out by their aggressive never say die  play.
But with Llantwit winning so much ball in the tight phase of the game then inevitably tries were soon to come. The complement being added by Stuart Edbrooke and Wise Vakacegu with Budina completing a Man of the Match performance by adding a fourth to his tally. The further two points coming from the boot of Chris Jones who had a torrid time fighting with the gale in conversion attempts.
Further mention going to Steff Godwin who took another big step in his recuperation from injury and the old head of Shaun Shea who showed there is still life in the old dog yet as he regularly disrupted Hirwaun’s front ball at the line out with a great display of defensive jumping.
The club would also like to thank Rory Budina and Lawrence Howley for helping out as the teams injury list grows, as they took advantage of their own clubs sabbatical further up the leagues. We hope to see you back in the Llantwit colours again soon gentleman.
This week the Llantonians are back in action in the National Cup competition as they travel to Abercwmboi in the third round of the bowl, k.o 2:30pm. And a huge task awaits them as the Cynon Valley outfit are unbeaten this season and sit top of their respective league, one division higher than Llantwit. Although from what this reporter has seen so far this season then there will be no lack of effort or desire from this group of players and cup games as we all know are always rife for a giant killing. There will be a bus travelling to the game leaving at 12 noon with supporters welcome to travel with the team. 

A.H.