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Llandrindod Wells 62- Rhayader 0
A game between Division 5 and Division 6 teams, and a derby game at that, should have been a spectacle of rare beauty. Unfortunately however Rhayader were strangely quiescent and seemed to have no answer to the pace and commitment of a Llandrindod side who have been forged in the fire of a full season in Division 6.
Not that it was a complete walkover for the home side. For the first twenty minutes or so Rhayader competed strongly and looked very much like the Rhayader sides of old. However, this was not to last and by the end of the match Llandrindod were running in tries almost at will.
With ten tries scored, it is difficult to pick the best of the bunch. However, perhaps the accolades should go to No 8 Geraint Evans for a brace, one scored after a 30 metre sprint through the Rhayader defence, and to wings Tom Underhill and Dan Ruell for a brace apiece as they sped their ways to the line, with Ruell, who was always a thorn in the Rhayader side, also gaining a penalty try as he was adjudged to have been deliberately tripped metres from touch down for his hat-trick.
Other tries were scored by Danny Davies, Neil James and Jamie Watkins, with Davies finding his kicking touch with six conversions.
This week, Llandrindod play Luctonians in the semi-final of the Lucton Floodlit Cup on Tuesday 22 April. Kick off at Lucton 7.30 pm.
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Llanrumney 23- Llandrindod Wells 12
This was Llandrindod's last League game of the season and though it was another defeat, they did not go down without a struggle, in the process scoring two tries to their host's three.
Llanrumney scored two of their tries in the first half, with Chris Omar and Leon Donaghue touching down and Anthony Da Criz kicking a conversion and a penalty. Despite good Llandrindod pressure from their forwards, they were unable to break down Llanrumney's stubborn defence and once their backs got their hands on the ball, anything could have happened as Llandrindod's defence was all at sea.
With a fifteen point deficit at half time Llandrindod had it all to do but were not completely out of contention. Their cause was not helped by Llanrumney's third try, coming from Da Cruz courtesy of a Llandrindod clearance kick that went awry. Finally Llandrindod began to gain some ascendancy. A move by No. 8 Gareth Kinsey in the Llanrumney 25 led to a breakdown in front of the posts giving Danny Davies the chance to power over to score and to convert his own try. A Da Cruz penalty for Llanrumney, following a rare passage of play in the Llandrindod half during this last quarter of the game, stretched their lead, but again Llandrindod exerted considerable pressure to be rewarded by a try from scrum half Dale Wilson who scampered through after a loose maul on the Llanrumney line.
Though Llandrindod then continued to dominate the game they were unable to break through again, and must now consider their future strategy in this League in time for next season.
This Saturday, Llandrindod host Rhayader in a friendly. Kick-off 2.30 pm.
Llandrindod Wells 14- Wattstown 27
Once again this season, Llandrindod effectively lost this match in the first half. Not even that really, as all Wattstown's scores were made in the first 25 minutes as they sliced through a fairly inept Llandrindod defence to score three tries and a brace of penalties. Agreed that Llandrindod did not have the elements in their favour but none of these scores came through wind assisted play.
Once more, and again another common feature this season, Llandrindod woke up to what was happening and began to compete properly. In the process, they scored two converted tries to nothing for Wattstown in the remaining fifty-five minutes! If they could repeat this sort of performance for a full 80 minutes in all their games, then their League season would have been much more successful than has been the case so far.
Mike Tinson was the hero for Wattstown in the first half. With their full back Bedwyn Phillips scoring a couple of classy tries, and Craig Waite a single well taken touch-down, Tinson's sure kicking from all sorts of angles profited his side by two penalties and three conversions.
After Wattstown's twenty five minute blitz, Llandrindod started to stretch their legs. A classic try by wing Tom Underhill, converted from wide out by Danny Davies, saw them put points on the board at the turnaround. Shortly after the restart, Llandrindod's other wing Jac Holden bamboozled the Wattstown defence to score, again far out wide. In what was a bonanza afternoon for the kickers, Davies converted from close to the touch-line.
Despite great pressure, and coming very close to the Wattstown line, Llandrindod were unable to score again but then, neither were Wattstown.
This week, Llandrindod travel to Llanrumney in their final League match of the season.
Ynysowen18- Llandrindod 0
This was arguably Llandrindod's worst first half performance in this League. From the first whistle, they were lacklustre and despite the considerable advantage of the wind, allowed Ynysowen to come at them hard. So dominant were Ynysowen in the opening stages that they had scored a try in the corner before the match was five minutes old and the rest of this half was not much better. Poor kicking choices in defence and when penalties were awarded meant that ground they should have made by using the touchline was squandered as Ynysowen were permitted to go on the attack again.
It was fortunate that good Llandrindod forward defensive work kept Ynysowen down to the slender margin of five points in the half. Not so in the second though. Making sensible use of the favourable wind, Ynysowen drove the visitors back time and time again whenever Llandrindod had made any ground. In the process, they scored a converted try and two penalties as their young backs made good use of the ball.
Though by now Llandrindod were playing a lot better and certainly more positively, it was only in the last quarter that they really had any dominance at all. Most notable was a series of driving mauls which took them from their own 25 right over the Ynysowen tryline. These 20-plus phases of play did not result in the success they deserved though. The referee ruled that the ball had been held up and though Llandrindod won the resulting scrum, they were unable to penetrate further and the match petered out.
This week, Llandrindod host Wattstown in their penultimate game in the League this season.
Llandrindod Wells 14- Cambrian Welfare 17
Once again, Llandrindod were just a small margin away from a victory in this League. This though was not just against some run-of-the-mill opposition. Cambrian Welfare sit on top of what is arguably the strongest of the new Division 6 Leagues and next month appear in the Millennium Stadium to play Bryncethin in the Final of the National Worthington Cup, which encompasses all of the Welsh District sides. Also, when the sides met at Cambrian Welfare earlier in the season, Llandrindod only lost by a single point. The logical deduction from this is that the lads from Radnorshire can and do compete well with the very best in this League and as this is only their first season playing rugby at this much higher level, the future looks rosy rather than otherwise, and certainly there is no cause for pessimism.
The match itself was dominated by a strong wind that blew straight in the faces of those playing against it. Llandrindod had the considerable advantage of it in the first half and though they were not able to score a try, they did gain 3 penalties from the boot of Danny Davies. Generally though this half was fairly even with Cambrian having the slight edge in terms of territory.
With the visitors having the benefit of the wind in the second half, they quickly levelled the scores with a trio of penalties from Julian Hartley. Further pressure enabled their backs to stretch their legs and wing Richard Lewis crossed for a try in the corner. A five point lead was there for the defending, but Llandrindod's valiant efforts against the wind brought them close to the Cambrian line, and a break by Llandrindod No 8 Gareth Kinsey opened up the Cambrian defence and a quick pass to Andrew Morgan allowed him to touch down.
With the scores even, a draw seemed to be the fairest result in this contest. Unfortunately for Llandrindod an infringement in deep defence late in the match gave Cambrian an easy penalty, and the game.
This week, Llandrindod travel to Aberfan to play Ynysowen in the League and to see if they can repeat their close win over them earlier this season. Kick off 2.30 pm.
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Glyncoch 33- Llandrindod Wells 13
Very much like the boxer who has made much of the running in his bout only to be knocked out by a series of punches at the very end, Llandrindod must be deeply disappointed at the way they conceded four quick tries in the last quarter of the game.
This was no walkover for Glyncoch despite the scoreline. Llandrindod were leading 10-7 at half time and then 10-13 after the break and the talk by the spectators was of a home defeat. However, judicious substitutions by the Glyncoch coach in the latter stages of the game brought on players with more speed and penetration, against which Llandrindod seemed to have no answer.
The game started well for the visitors. With the first few minutes evenly matched, Llandrindod took the lead with a Danny Davies penalty, though they conceded the advantage when Glyncoch's full back Lee Goddard was allowed to slice through the Llandrindod defence to score, Chris Grinter converting. After that, it was all Llandrindod. Great forward play took them to the Glyncoch line and in a series of forward pushes, Llandrindod No.8 Gareth Kinsey scored in the 8th phase of this attack. Davies converted and Llandrindod went in to the second half with a well deserved lead.
This was extended early in the second half with another Davies penalty, and Llandrindod were well on top and looked like being able to defend their six point lead. Not to be however after the Glyncoch substitutions. By now Glyncoch had worked out Llandrindod's tactics of using No 8 Kinsey as the battering ram from the base of the scrum and with the Llandrindod backs having little to offer on the glutinious pitch, the field was wide open for Glyncoch to play the running game as they completely outpaced and out-thought Llandrindod to score 4 tries in quick succession. Lee Goddard scored again, as did Chris Grinter with a brace of tries, rounded off by a try from James Allen. Grinter added to his kicking afternoon with converting all four of these tries and it was blessed relief when the referee finally blew for time.
With the next two weekends being devoted to Internationals, Llandrindod's next League game is a home match against League high flyers Cambrian Welfare on 22 March against whom they only lost by 1 point in the away encounter earlier this season.
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Llandrindod Wells 24- Sully Sports 3
This was a much improved Sully side from that which Llandrindod played ealrier in the season. More cohesion in the forwards, and really competitive backs, made them quite a handful, especially in the first half of the match, sponsored this week by builder, Ray Stokes.
A 0-0 scoreline at the end of the first half is a perfect illustration of how tight these 40 minutes were. Up and down the pitch the game went. Not flowed exactly, because both sides were really determined to come out on top, but more of a stutter really. Forward power was the key in this phase of the game, though when the ball was released to the backs things did start to move. Llandrindod wing Jac Holden was able to stretch his legs on the firm surface, skipper and stand-off Jonathan Duggan kept Sully out with great clearance kicks, and centre Tom Bradley, the hero of the second half, took some heavy tackles from his opposite number who himself looked really dangerous with the ball.
All in all a clean scoresheet was probably a fair result for this half. The second period though was completely different. Not only because by now the less fit Sully team were tiring visibly, but also for the emergence of another goal kicker for Llandrindod, namely Tom Bradley. With three conversions and a penalty to his name, plus a try, he was rightly named Man of the Match. The goals he kicked or, rather, stroked over the bar, were not that easy and included kicks from only five metres in from both touchlines.
Sully were the first to score. An easy penalty from Doug Powell gave them a short-lived lead as Llandrindod's No.8 Dickie Lewis, who had been making metres all game, powered his way over for a try. Bradley converting. A Bradley penalty was then quickly followed by a Jac Holden try, who had made a break, been well tackled, then removed himself from the resulting maul to be in a position to run the try five metres in from the touchline when the ball became available. Bradley converting.
By now, exhausted Sully players were littering the pitch at most breakdowns, but Llandrindod were not finished. Right on the whistle a Llandrindod passing movement saw Bradley on the end of the line to touch down, again 5 metres in but on the other side of the pitch this time, and again to stroke the ball over to convert.
Llandrindod have no game this weekend due to the Internationals. The following Saturday, 2nd March, they travel to Glyncoch in the League for their 3rd encounter this season.
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Llandrindod 2nds 41- Sully Sports 2nds 14
Llandrindod ran out convincing winners in this match, played on the High School pitch.
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Llandrindod Wells 7- Llanrumney 13
What is becoming quite clear as the season goes on is that Llandrindod do not yet have the finishing penetration that could take fuller advantage of all the pressure they put on their opponents. This game was a case in point. Llandrindod were camped for the first 25 minutes of the match in the Llanrumney half, a lot of the time attacking the line itself, yet were unable to break through a typical Division 6 tight defence. This was reprised for some of the time in the second half.
Stylistically, and certainly for the spectators, the first half was a complete mess. Three Yellow Cards (two against Llandrindod) and at least sixteen evenly distributed penalties, combined with the highly competitive atmosphere, served up a distinctly disjointed 40 minutes. Llandrindod certainly had the advantage in the forwards in this half winning some balls against the head both in the set pieces and the lineouts. They even managed to cope without the carded players for the statutory 10 minutes each but it was Llanrumney who opened the scoring with a penalty from Wayne da Cruz in the last 10 minutes of the half. Eventually, more Llandrindod pressure ended with lock Jamie Watkins powering over for a try, Danny Davies converting, to give the home site a useful but not decisive lead in to the second half.
Forced changes during this half, including that of Duncan Lawrence who departed with blood pouring down his face from a suspicious head wound, gave Llanrumney the advantage in the forwards and though there were periods when Llandrindod did make useful ground, and at one stage had two five metre attacking scrums, they could not add to their score. Llanrumney were by now taking full advantage of a friendly breeze and consistently pushed Llandrindod back close to their own line with booming kicks from Wayne da Cruz. Finally, a converted try from Anthony da Cruz, then another penalty by Wayne da Cruz, first gave Llanrumney the lead and then the game.
This week Llandrindod 1sts have no match due to the Home International. Their next game in this League is a home encounter with Sully Sports on Saturday 16 February. This week though Llandrindod 2nds travel to Builth 2nds on Wednesday for much delayed Mid Wales Cup encounter. Kick off 7.15.
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Bryncethin 30 -Llandrindod Wells 7
It was Bryncethin fast running backs that made all the difference in this match, scoring four out of the five Bryncethin tries. Matching their hosts up front for most of the game, Llandrindod's try came in the first half from centre Tom Bradley who jinked over the line to touch down under the posts, with Danny Davies drop kicking to convert.
Apart from that, defensive work was the main order of the day for Llandrindod, with full back Ben Dugdale very solid against the marauding Bryncethin backs. However, Llandrindod were often their own opponents as the penalty count against them for infringements climbed steadily throughout the match, and which lost them much of the territory that they had previously worked so hard to acquire.
Try scorers for Bryncethin were Danny Smith (2), Mike Richards, Russ John and Gareth Pierce, who also kicked a conversion and a penalty.
This week Llandrindod host Llanrumney in the League, kick-off 1.30 pm.
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Llandrindod Wells 0 -Clwb Rygbi Cymru Caerdydd 12
It would be easy to get depressed about Llandrindod's apparent lack of success in this new League so far. However, success is a relative thing and should not only be measured by pure statistics. In Llandrindod's case, they are now playing harder, faster, more committed rugby than they have played for probably two decades, and exclusively against teams from South Wales whose playing resources generally are much stronger, and in the case of Clwb Rygbi Cymru Caerdydd this week, who have been successfully playing rugby at a high level in the region for very many years.
It is notable this season that no team has rolled Llandrindod over in this, the strongest of the three Division 6 Leagues. None of the scores against them to date have been in high double figures. Indeed, it took Clwb Rygbi some 35 minutes to score their first try, and another 25 minutes for their second. And this after Llandrindod put them under considerable pressure at the start of the game. Had Llandrindod scored then, perhaps the final outcome would have been somewhat different.
It seemed certain that the first half would remain scoreless. First Llandrindod then Clwb Rygbi were in the ascendant, and it was the relieving kicks of fly-half Danny Davies that kept on pushing the visitors back. Eventually though the pressure told as Clwb Rygbi's wing Hyul Iorweth crossed for a try in the 35th minute, converted by himself.
There was not much different in the second half. Back and forth they went as Llandrindod started to get the proper measure of their guests. There was also some really good defensive work from all of Llandrindod, with the proceedings being enlivened by two good clearance kicks from burly prop Richard Watkins, who also for good measure later broke free from a maul to make a 25 metre dash for the line, only to be tackled 5 metres out.
Generally though Llandrindod did not really look like scoring and it was inevitable towards the end of the game that their defence would be breached again. A Clwb Rygbi lineout 5 metres from the Llandrindod line saw them take a short ball and in the driving maul that followed skipper Geraint Morgan touched down.
Llandrindod have no League game this weekend. Their next League game is away against high flying Bryncethin on Saturday 25 January.
Caerau Ely 13- Llandrindod Wells 3
If there is one thing that Llandrindod are learning in this new League it is that you have to start the match as though you mean business, and this game showed that the lesson has been well learnt as Llandrindod came out of the starting blocks at a considerable pace, despite the swampy conditions. Dominating the play, they took an early lead with a Danny Davies penalty as they put their hosts under considerable early pressure.
The development of the Llandrindod forward play this season has been quite remarkable and throughout this particular game the combination of players that Llandrindod now have at their disposal caused real problems for the more experienced Caerau Ely pack. In particular, the tall men Geraint Evans, Dave Smith, Jeremy Stokes and Jamie Watkins created numerous opportunities even when deep in defence.
Caerau Ely levelled the score late in to the first half with a Stuart Tobin penalty but it was in the second half that they started to dominate as they rang the changes with their subs. The Llandrindod defence had to dig in to their reserves to withhold the strong Caerau Ely attacks and there were periods when the Llandrindod scrum was in considerable trouble in the set pieces, though still being able to scramble the ball free to clear.
Caerau Ely took the lead with a perfectly judged Tobin drop goal and this is how the score remained until the last minute of the game. More Caerau Ely attacks led, finally, to a Llandrindod defensive error allowing Caerau Ely's Gareth Thomas to score in the corner, with the prolific Tobin putting the finishing touches to a game in which the final score line was not really a good reflection of how tight this game was.
This week, Llandrindod host Clwb Rygbi Cymru Caerdydd in the League. Kick off as usual at 2.30 pm.
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Worthington Cup- Round 4
Glyncoch 20- Llandrindod Wells 5
Llandrindod's three match run in this Cup this year came to an end as they went down to past finalists and fellow Divison 6 (Central) team, Glyncoch. To be realistic, this third away Cup tie in a row was always going to be a bit of a stretch and so it proved as the greater experience of the Rhonnda Valley side prevailed over the youth and enthusiasm of the last Mid Wales side in the Cup.
Great Llandrindod defence kept Glyncoch out for much of the first half. Indeed, had it not been for a mis-grounded try attempt from a breakaway sprint, Llandrindod could have ended this half on even terms. As it was, the home side managed to break the strong Llandrindod defence twice with tries from Lloyd Allen and Lee Goddard, with Llandrindod's No.8 Geraint Evans giving the visitors a degree of respectability with his first try of the season. None of these tries was converted.
Five points down in the second half and the match was not yet over for Llandrindod as they stormed back at Glyncoch. All to no avail though as they conceded two further tries by Glyncoch's James Allen and Lee Leveridge and the home side cruised in to the fifth round.
Llandrindod now have a well deserved rest over the Christmas break. Their first game in 2008 is an away match in the League against Cardiff side Caerau Ely on 5th January.
May I, on behalf of the Club, wish all our sponsors, supporters and friends all the best for Christmas and the New Year.
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Wattstown 27 - Llandrindod Wells 5
Three tries in the first half by Wattstown's outside half Danial Roberts determined this match for Llandrindod on a wet and blustery day in the Rhonnda.
Playing against the wind, rain and occasional hail in the first half, Llandrindod started slowly and found difficulty in containing a very lively Wattstown as they came at their visitors at the gallop from the first whistle. Roberts' first try came from a kick ahead and he had no trouble gathering and touching down. His other two came from fine running which sliced through the Llandrindod defence. Dean Crutch converted two of these tries and Wattstown ended the first half with a substantial cushion of 19 points.
It was in the second half that Llandrindod finally were able to exert some control and good forward play took the game to Wattstown. A fine break by Llandrindod lock Dave Smith started a passing movement which saw wing Dan Rouell score the try of the match as he beat three defenders to touch down in the corner. With Danny Davies' conversion going wide this was really as good as it got for Llandrindod. Wattstown prop Lee Davies powered his way over the line to score and Crutch ended the game for Wattstown with a penalty.
This week, Llandrindod host Llanrumney in the League.
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Worthington Cup- Round 3
Cimla 25 - Llandrindod Wells 27
At the end of this truly incredible match, Llandrindod skipper Jonathan Duggan called his men together to say how proud he was of them. And so should we all be too. This was an epic game in which Llandrindod had to delve deep in to their determination, spirit and fitness to overcome their opponents, who had until now only lost one match this season and who sit second in Division 6 (West).
Though Llandrindod had been leading for most of the time, it was in the last quarter that Cimla really came to life. Two converted tries in the space of three minutes, and then a drop goal gave Cimla a narrow three point lead right up to the 79th minute. Then, after desperate last-minute Llandrindod attacks, glory of glories as centre Tom Bradley ended off a fine movement to score in the corner. Danny Davies' failed conversion attempt was no problem as the referee blew for time as his kick went wide and Llandrindod went in to the 4th round of this Cup.
This was a difficult pitch to play on. With a slight longitudinal slope, but a considerable latitudinal one (even the cricket square was built up on to a plateau!), the teams also had to cope with a strong wind up the pitch. Fortunately, the toss gave Llandrindod the chance to play with the wind in the first half and this must have helped as Llandrindod wing Tom Underhill scooped up a loose ball and sprinted some 60 metres to score under the posts. Danny Davies converting.
It was still fairly even in the game as Cimla No 8, Kevin Blackmore, touched down for an unconverted try. More Llandrindod attacks in front of the posts gave Davies the chance to wriggle over the line to score and convert his own try. Finally in this half, Cimla kicked a penalty courtesy of Phillip Williams then Davies responded with one for Llandrindod. 8-14 at half time to Llandrindod.
Llandrindod were camped in Cimla territory for the first 20 minutes of the first half. Much of this was due to the continued dominance of the Llandrindod pack and the outstanding hooking against the head by young Phil Morgan, whose quick striking is putting pressure of a number of opposition packs this season. The pressure paid off as Llandrindod centre Neil James crossed for an unconverted try. Then, near disaster. With Llandrindod still on the attack, Cimla fly-half Phillip Williams spotted a gap in the Llandrindod defence to sprint, touch down under the posts, and convert. From the restart, Cimla full-back Dai Morgan did almost exactly the same, Williams converting. 22-22 and Llandrindod were facing an agonising extra time. Then Williams, who was having a superb game generally, dropped a goal to give the home side the lead and a route in to the 4th round of the Cup.
Finally, the Llandrindod end-game pressure told on Cimla, as they gave ground, then the passing movement culminating in Tom Bradley's try, and the referee's final whistle.
This week, Llandrindod have no game due to the International. Next week, they travel to Wattstown in the League.
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Llandrindod Wells 16- Ynysowen 10
Llandrindod won their first home game in this new League in a match that was littered with unforced errors by both sides, but was illuminated by a superb try apiece.
Ynysowen's try came very early in the first half as fly-half Gavin Waffen danced his way through a flat-footed Llandrindod defence to touch down under the posts. Llandrindod's was scored by No 8 Dickie Lewis who, as part of his self-imposed mission in this game of taking on Ynysowen single-handed, powered his way through the strong Ynysowen defence to touch down out wide, again in the first half.
In between times, Llandrindod's dominance in the scrums for most of the game, including taking balls against the head, was matched by Ynysowen's faster and better-handling backs, and in both sides strong defence seemed to be the order of the day. Mistakes there were aplenty too, both with mis-directed kicking from the hand and the tactic of trying to run the ball out of defence when there was a need for certain territory.
Tension there certainly was, particularly towards the end of the game. Though Llandrindod led by a slender margin for most of the match, the six points between the teams in the last quarter was not really enough for comfort and the Ynysowen's substantial following encouraged their team to extra efforts with the match ending when Ynysowen were on the attack.
As for the points-takers, Waffen converted his early try and then kicked a penalty for Ynysowen. For Llandrindod, Danny Davies increased his tally for the season with three penalties and the conversion of Davies' try.
This week Llandrindod travel to Cimla (Neath) for the 3rd round of the Worthington Cup. Kick off 2.00 pm.
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Worthington Cup- 2nd round
Tref-y-Clawdd 10-Llandrindod Wells 22
Llandrindod progressed to Round 3 of this Cup with an efficient, though not very exciting, win against an improving Tref-y-Clawdd. With general 60:40 dominance in both possession and territory, the Llandrindod squad are starting to show some of the benefits of their short sojourn in Division 6 (Central). In particular the pace at which they use and recycle the ball has increased measurably and though Tref-y-Clawdd managed to keep up, and indeed showed considerable improvement over recent weeks, they were never really in the hunt.
Good pressure early on in the first half enabled Llandrindod skipper Jonathan Duggan to cross for his first try of the season. With Danny Davies on the bench this week due to work commitments, wing Jac Holden undertook his kicking duties and duly slotted over the conversion. More pressure from Llandrindod, and in particular the darting runs from scrum half Dale Wilson, and the metres of space gained as a result of the efforts of the ever improving Dave Smith, in his first season since transferring from soccer, kept Tref-y-Clawdd on the back foot. A try from Llandrindod flanker Gareth Mills, after a superb display of handling skills by the backs, increased Llandrindod's lead, Holden kicking another conversion. Tref-y-Clawdd's solitary points in this half was a good penalty cleanly kicked just before the whistle by Jubal Bright.
Llandrindod did not let up the pressure in the second half with ex-Tref-y-Clawdd back row Jeremy Stokes showing his old team precisely what he was capable of. A Holden penalty, arguably his best kick of the day, stretched the visitor's lead before a try from centre Ben Dugdale put the game beyond their host's reach. Not to be outshone though, Tref-y-Clawdd stepped up their pace a notch or two to be rewarded with a last-gasp try from 2nd row Robert Duggan, converted by the ever-reliable Bright.
Llandrindod have no match this Saturday. However, on Wednesday 31 October, they meet Builth Wells 2nds in the Final of the R F Price Floodlit Cup 2007 (Llandrindod Floodlit Cup). Kick off 7.30 pm at Llandrindod.
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Llandrindod Wells 14- Glyncoch 26
Teams that make the most unforced errors tend to lose close fought matches and, in common with the world cup Final, Llandrindod's performance resulted in them coming second best on the day.
Starting the match in sprightly fashion, gaining two turnovers and two narrowly dropped goal attempts in the first ten minutes, Llandrindod's prospects looked good but within half an hour injuries to key forwards Dickie Lewis and Duncan Lawrence resulted in the forwards being on the back foot in the set pieces for most of the rest of the game.
At the end of the first quarter, an over ambitious penalty miss-kick to touch allowed the well drilled Glyncoch forwards to run the ball right back to the home side's try line and resulted in a good try by H Burgess, converted by L Goddard. Two similarly missed penalty kicks to touch again allowed the visitors to run the ball back beyond the penalty kick spot and following further ball recycling and attacking moves, Glyncoch scored again through L Sutton, conversion by Goddard.
Llandrindod reignited their efforts in the last ten minutes of the first half and the first ten of the second half. Following positive play when they reached their opponent's 22, the accomplished flanker Jeremy Stokes broke away from a line out to score a good individual try well converted by Danny Davies. Rejuvenated by this, Llandrindod laid siege to their visitor's 22, and a determined run by outside half gave his side parity with Glyncoch with a try and conversion.
Unfortunately this was a good as it got for Llandrindod. Glyncoch gained almost total domination in the line out and in the set pieces though Llandrindod were valiant in defence with many desperate tackles being made. Some aimless kicking did not help the Llandrindod cause, and lack of follow up to these kicks was quite noticeable. Glyncoch scored two more tries, through G Willams and D Baker with the final conversion by Baker.
Llandrindod could do well in this league in the future if they cut down their unforced errors and perhaps reviewed their match strategy to meet the challenge of stubborn defences in this team orientated sport.
This week, Llandrindod travel to Tref-y-Clawdd for the 2nd round of the Worthington Cup. Kick off 2.00 pm. Their next match in this League is another home game, this time against Ynysowen, on 10 November.
This match was sponsored by L J Watkins & Sons Ltd, Builders.
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Mid Wales Cup- Round 1
Llandrindod 2nds 24- Newtown 2nds 21
Llandrindod proceed to the next round of this cup with a close win against Newtown 2nds. Scorers for Llandrindod were tries from Ian Ward (2), Hugh Lloyd and Martin Lawrence with 2 conversions by Geraint Pritchard.
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Sully Sports 11- Llandrindod Wells 32
Llandrindod gained their first win, and a bonus point, in the League last week.
With both clubs struggling at the bottom of the League, they were naturally tense and nervous at the start of this match, and this pervaded a lot of the first half. Not only that, there were continual problems throughout the game with the scrum that occupied a lot of the referee's time and led to many resets.
Llandrindod won a scrum against the head just after the kick-off, when the scrum was turned, and then lost their own scrum. It took some 5 scrums in 5 minutes on the same spot to get the matter sorted out, and this does not include resets by the referee! Eventually the game progressed, in a fashion, with both sides struggling to get some shape in to their play. Sully were the first to put points on the board with a penalty from stand-off Reece Mountford, though generally Llandrindod were in the ascendant thanks largely to their dominance in the forwards.
Dominant they might have been but they did have problems both at the base of the scrum and also in the lineouts where Sully's more experienced outfit stole a number of balls. However, with the continuing pressure on their hosts, two penalties from Llandrindod's Danny Davies gave the visitors a slender lead at the end of a very modest and scrappy half. Not enough to ensure them the game, but a lead nonetheless and in the circumstances worth every point..
Matters improved considerably in the second half. Nerves had settled and the players were more willing to play their own game rather than wonder what everyone else was going to do. There were still major areas of concern for the referee over the scrum and also, later in the game, about the level of knocks some of Sully's more mature players were taking. It became apparent that the referee was, rightly, keeping a watchful eye on the Sully players to make sure that there was no serious injury.
The first try in the game came when Llandrindod's Davies, playing at stand-off, powered his way to touch down under the posts and then convert his own try. By now both sides were displaying a level of ambition not previously apparent and Sully's backs were starting to show what they could do. A try from centre Scott Williams reduced their deficit somewhat and a further penalty from Mountford narrowed the game even further to 2 points.
A superb solo effort from Llandrindod centre Tom Bradley, not converted by Davies who hit the post, extended the visitor's lead and Sully's cause was not helped at all when the referee awarded a penalty try against them. Llandrindod wing Tom Underhill, having previously made great runs in this half, was judged to have been impeded when he went for a loose ball in the Sully try area. Davies converted.
The Llandrindod final try came from substitute wing Jac Holden, returning from injury, who had the space to stretch his long legs and outrun the opposition to touch down under the psots. Davies converting.
This week Llandrindod host Glyncoch in the League. Llandrindod 2nds are away to Tref-y-Clawdd in the first round of the Mid Wales Cup. On Saturday 27 October, Llandrindod 1sts also travel to Tref-y-Clawdd for the second round of the Worthington Cup.
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Cambrian Welfare 19 Llandrindod Wells 18
Llandrindod made their first foray into the Rhonda Valleys and almost snatched an extraordinary win. In a game brought forward from November because of the home teams Konica Minolta Cup commitments and playing right at the top of a hill, Llandrindod found themselves 7-0 down when the home sides right winger finished of a slick passing move after 5 minutes. The touchline conversion was put over and the Llandrindod contingent could be forgiven for thinking this could be a long afternoon.
This however wasn't to be the case as the Llandod boys rolled their sleeves up and stood toe to toe with an experienced home pack who knew every trick in the book. This was typified by the first scrum of the game where the home side were driven back, the young front row of Lee James, Phil Morgan and Richard Watkins getting better as every game in this new league goes by. This raised the belief of the Mid Wales Side and and after an infringement by the home sides pack from a driving line out. Fly half Danny Davies converted a penalty from wide out to bring the scores back to 7-3. Then after soaking up another period of Cambrian dominance a break from No 8 Gareth Kinsey resulted in another penalty for Davies which was again converted. This was followed by an onslaught on the Cambrian line and Llandod were only denied a try when Dicky Lewis pass to Phil Morgan was judged forward after a typical barnstorming run from the flanker. Unfortunately Cambrian cleared their lines and added another
try this time through their left winger who finished off another flowing move after a Llandrindod line out went astray. 12 - 6 at half time.
But within ten minutes of the second half it was all square as 2 sweetly struck penalties from Danny Davies, one from the half way line evened the game up. Game on! The game ebbed and flowed and only desperate defence from Llandrindod kept the ever dangerous Cambrian backs in check, a penalty just inside Llandrindod territory against Cambrian for holding on was converted by Davies from inside his own half, for the first time in game the Mid Wales team led.
Cambrian hit back straight away and their outside half looped round his centres to give the right winger an overlap who duly scored in the corner, with the touchline conversion added the score stood at 19 - 15 in favour of the home side.
Again Llandod came back and another half break from Kinsey resulted in another penalty for Davies who again duly added the 3 points. 19 - 18. Then came an incredible
moment as just like the Russians in Rocky IV three elderly home supporters started shouting for the visiting team obviously appreciative of the guts
and determination shown by all. The final ten minutes could have gone either way and three penalties were won in the Cambrian half all just about
in range for Davies, all three were unsuccessful with one dropping inches under the bar. A drop goal was also pushed wide but the home side clung on with Llandrindod picking up a losing bonus point. There were some huge performance from the away team especially in the pack where the young front row fronted up alongside locks Jamie Watkins and Geraint Evans. Dicky Lewis and Gareth Kinsey at 8 carried the ball superbly and they were complimented by the industrious Neil James at open side.
It surely cannot be too long until Llandrindod pick up their first win in this incredibly physical league and will be looking to do just that in Sully Sports next Saturday.
Llandrindod Team 1 Lee James, 2 Phil Morgan, 3 Richard Watkins, 4 Jamie Watkins, 5 Geraint Evans, 6 Dickie Lewis, 7 Neil James, 8 Gareth Kinsey, 9 Dale Wilson, 10 Danny Davies, 11 Dan Ruell,
12 Tom Bradley, 13 Rob Hale, 14 Tom Underhill, 15 Jonathan Duggan (Capt) Subs 16 Gethin Price, 17 Dave Smith, 18 Gareth Mills, 19 Will Houston
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Wednesday 3rd October - R F Price Floodlit Cup 2007 (Llandrindod Floodlit Cup)
Llandrindod Wells 22 Trefyclawdd 5
This was a tough physical encounter as it always is between these 2 sides.
Scoreless at half time Llandrindod scored 4 tries after the break through Dale Wilson, Gareth Kinsey, Tom Underhill and Neil James, Kevin Percy was successful with 1 conversion. Tref-y-Clawdd kept plugging away and were rewarded with a consolation try from prop Richard Lloyd.
Llandrindod will now play Builth 2nds who overcame Rhayader 22 - 6, in the final on Wednesday 31st October, 7.30 kick off.
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Llandrindod Wells 3- Bryncethin 15
If League leaders Bryncethin thought that their first trip to Llandrindod was going to be a cakewalk, then they were severely disillusioned as they became involved in a hard game in which, for the first half at least, their hosts had the benefit of territory more often than not. Indeed, both sides tried to slog it out in the forwards rather than engage in the style of running rugby they preferred.
Kicking was the order of the day in the first half for both sides, with Llandrindod's Danny Davies keeping Bryncethin in their own half with good defensive clearances. In the forwards, Bryncethin certainly had the edge in the set pieces and the lineouts, but in the loose Llandrindod's pack did a lot of good work driving their visitors back and making inroads. Bryncethin even lost a scrum with the head as Llandrindod's young hooker Phil Morgan out-hooked his opponent and generally caused problems for the opposition throughout the match. Also, Llandrindod lock Duncan Lawrence was very visible in the loose and one drive nearly got him to the line.
Bryncethin were the first to score. An attacking scrum close to the Llandrindod line and right in the corner saw Reece James pick up and touch down on the blindside totally unopposed as Llandrindod were expecting a rolling maul, which would have been the norm in their previous existence in the Mid Wales League. Danny Davies closed the gap with a penalty and the half was concluded with an extraordinary break from Llandrindod wing Dan Ruell who picked up a loose ball and sprinted nearly 80 metres only to be caught a metre from the line by the Bryncethin full-back closing in fast on an angle.
It was all to play for in the second half with the Bryncethin lead only being two points. Though Llandrindod continues to gain in confidence in this League, Bryncethin picked up their game a notch and a try by Gareth Brooking stretched their lead to nine points. Conversion by Gareth Pierce. By now, it was all Bryncethin and Llandrindod were scrambling in defence. A penalty from Pierce put the game beyond the host's reach but this did not deter them as they made some effective late rallies aided by the fresh legs of forward substitutes Dai Harris and Dickie Lewis.
Llandrindod have no league game now until 13 October when they travel to Sully Sports in Cardiff.
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Clwb Rygbi Cymru Caerdydd 33- Llandrindod Wells 14
This new League requires new lessons to be learned and Llandrindod are just at the start of this process. Even though they went down to a strong Cardiff side, they were not disgraced and for long periods took the game hard to their opponents. Unfortunately, a spell in the second half saw Clwb Rygbi run in 3 quick tries as they outflanked a stretched Llandrindod defence, before Llandrindod rallied to press hard and to score.
Llandrindod first try came in the first half. Trailing by 7 points early on, wing Wayne Price outran the defence to touch down, Danny Davies converting. A further Clwb Rygbi converted try gave them a 7 point advantage at the break but in was in the second half that Clwb Rygbi really came to life to score three times and to put the game beyond their visitor's reach.
Not to be outfaced though, Llandrindod rallied and their drive and belief in themselves put Clwb Rygbi on the back foot. Their try came when wing Dan Ruell received his first proper pass of the day nearly 40 metres out and in a classic run, outpaced and outthought the home defence to touch down under the posts. Davies converting.
Scorers for Clyb Rybi were a hat trick of tries for No8 Hywel Jones and a try apiece for Hywel Iorweth and Huw Davies. Dafydd Shurmer's sure kicking converted 4 of the tries.
There are no League games this weekend. Llandrindod's next match is a home game against Bryncethin on Saturday 22 September.
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Llandrindod Wells 21 - Caerau Ely 21
Llandrindod first foray in this new League proved to be a qualified success. Expecting a hard opening game against a strong Cardiff based outfit, Llandrindod surprised themselves to find they were in the lead for three quarters of the game, only to suffer disappointment as Caerau Ely stormed to a draw with two tries in the last quarter of the match.
Kevin Percy opened the Llandrindod account with a superb 35 metre drop goal, with no wind assistance. This was quickly followed with a try from wing Ben Dugdale after a Caerau defensive lapse. Danny Davies converting. By this time, Llandrindod were well on top with their strengthened pack all over Caerau Ely, who by now were in some disorder. Davies capitalised on this with a well struck penalty, and Richard (Dickie) Lewis wrapped up this period of dominance with a typical storming try as he steamrollered his way over the line.
By now Caerau Ely were recovering some of their composure and in the final minutes of this half put together a series of good moves culminating with a try from centre Mike Giles, converted by Chris Fulthorpe.
The opening salvoes of the second half were much like those in the first half. Davies extended Llandrindod's lead with another penalty and Llandrindod continued to dominate the game. A 30 metre dash through the opposition by new signing Gareth Kinsey almost resulted in a try as Llandrindod spent some time close to the Caerau Ely line.
Gradually though Caerau Ely started to make ground and press the Llandrindod line. A second try by Caerau Ely's Giles, converted by Fulthorpe, put the visitors only a converted try behind. This eventually came in the last minutes as the Llandrindod defence eventually gave way under the pressure and Caerau Ely scored through a Jamie Illes try, converted by Chris Jones, to tie the game.
This week Llandrindod travel to Cardiff for a tough encounter with Clwb Rygbi Cymru Caerdydd.
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