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Lucton Cup Final at Lucton 25 April
Hereford 17- Llandrindod Wells 11
Llandrindod's successful run came to an end in their final game of the season when they were beaten in a closely contested, but penalty strewn, Final at Luctonians.
Evens at half time with two penalties apiece, the first try came in the second half when a restart kick by Llandrindod after a Hereford penalty outrageously bounced back in to the Llandrindod half and behind the advancing players, to be gathered by Hereford's Ben Adams to sprint and touch down. The other try was for Llandrindod in a last gasp attack on the Hereford line when Llandrindod wing Tom Underhill forced his way through the defence.
Hereford's four penalties came from the boot of Gary Preece, whilst Llandrindod's Danny Davies signed off his season with a pair.
Mid Wales Cup- Final at COBRA Saturday 21 April
Builth Wells 2nds 3- Llandrindod Wells 1sts 9
Llandrindod completed the League/Cup double at the end of a remarkable season which showed that this team, three years in the making, had matured in to a highly competent outfit. Not only that, their esprit de corps enabled them to keep their cool when, as in this match, Builth were losing theirs, and also to cross the pain threshold as witnessed by the number of squad members carrying injuries from the punishing schedule on hard grounds over the past few weeks.
This was a fiercely contested game with both sides evenly matched, but Builth perhaps relying too much on their noted forward strength. So fierce was the contest that things happened that perhaps should not have happened. The net result of this was that four Builth players were sin-binned for a variety of offences and many positions of advantage for Builth were lost and punished by penalty which on more than one occasion got Llandrindod out of a sticky situation.
The strong wind did not really help either team. Blowing roughly down pitch, it did gust and very in direction making kicking on both sides something of a lottery especially towards the end of the game.
Despite the wind all the points came from penalties. Builth started with a penalty early on in the game from Will Lennard, but two penalties from Llandrindod's Danny Davies gave Llandrindod a slender lead at half time, and they also had a lead in the number of permitted players on the pitch as Builth were starting to lose players to the sin-bin.
The second half was much of the same. Another Davies penalty stretched Llandrindod's lead but not out of the reach of Builth who only had to score a converted try. The end of the game was frantic. Camped in the Llandrindod half Builth went so close to the line that scoring seemed inevitable. However, the referee's whistle kept this from happening as he blew either for a penalty against Builth or for simple transgressions such as a knock-on.
Builth were still in the Llandrindod half when the whistle went for time leaving Builth to rue what could have been and Llandrindod to celebrate and to plan how to counter the power of Hereford 2nds in the final of the Lucton Cup at Luctonians this Wednesday, 25 April. Kick off 7.30 pm.
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Mid Wales Shield- Final at COBRA Saturday 21 April
Llandrindod Wells 2nds 23- UWA 3rds 26
This was not quite the triumph of youth and enthusiasm over age and experience that many expected. Though the students looked dangerous once their backs were unleashed, it was up front that Llandrindod had a considerable edge. Indeed, both their tries came from forwards, Dickie Lewis and Neil Warrilow.
UWA's tries came from the backs as they ran in four. Richard Williams, Rhys Hughes, Ryan Kinney and V Hettervey all touching down as they outpaced Llandrindod. Liam Tai-Hogan converting three of the tries. For Llandrindod, fly-half Geraint Pritchard showed that he had not lost much of his old magic, as he kicked Llandrindod to a highly respectable score with three penalties and two conversions.
This was not enough though as Llandrindod gave up the Shield they had won last year to a deserving UWA team.
Tuesday 17 April
Clee Hill 10- Llandrindod Wells 15
Another day, another match for Llandrindod, this time against a strong Clee Hill side whose main strength was a solid scrum, but whose only real weakness was to concede kickable penalties. For Llandrindod, scrum-half Dale Wilson caused Clee endless problems at the base of the scrum with his darting runs, whilst lock Jamie Watkins was highly visible as the ball carrier making metres of space.
An even but scrappy game saw Llandrindod end the first half with two Danny Davies penalties against Clee Hill's Dean Brooks' try. There was not a great deal of change in the second half. Careless Clee Hill play gave Llandrindod three more penalties from Davies' boot, before Clee narrowed the gap with a well taken Andrew Tonge try but this was not enough to prevent Llandrindod going forward to a Final clash with Hereford on Wednesday 25 April. Kick off 7.30 pm at Luctonians.
This Saturday, Llandrindod 1sts & 2nds travel to COBRA for the Finals of the Mid Wales Cup and the Shield against Builth 2nds and UCW 3rds respectively..
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Saturday 14 April
Tref-y-Clawdd 5- Llandrindod Wells 31
With this match, Llandrindod WON the Cambrian Training Company Mid Wales League for the first time in a decade.
Against doughty opponents who have a deserved reputation for upsetting the best laid plans of visiting teams, Llandrindod were strangely relaxed for such a momentous occasion but a score in the first minute helped to settle any residual nerves that there were. Wing Tom Underhill gathered a loose ball and in a trademark run through bemused opponents, touched down in the corner. A conversion by Danny Davies gave the visitors a 7 point lead to defend against repeated Tref-y-Clawdd attacks though their highly effective pack.
It was Kevin Percy who broke a 15 minute impasse with a Davies converted try, followed in short order by a Davies drop goal to seal the half and to give Llandrindod what was certainly an impregnable lead in the circumstances.
Llandrindod were on the attack from the whistle at the resumption, with centre Tom Bradley, showing no signs of his shoulder injury from the last game, touching down after a kick and chase, Davies converting yet again. Good work by the backs pinned Tref-y-Clawdd in their own half with Llandrindod's final score coming from Ben Dugdale using his power to score, Davies converting.
The final 10 minutes of this game were all Tref-y-Clawdd's who laid siege to the Llandrindod line finally, and deservedly, scoring through Gavin Duggan, the try not being converted.
This week Llandrindod travel to Luctonians on Tuesday for the semi-final of the Lucton Cup against Clee Hill and then on Saturday they meet Builth 2nds in the Final of the Mid Wales Cup. their 2nds play UCW 3rds in the Final of the Mid Wales Shield. Both matches being played at COBRA.
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Tuesday 10 April
Llanidloes 2nds 0 - Llandrindod Wells 46
Llandrindod's grip on the League championship remained iron tight with this emphatic win over a much improved Llanidloes 2nds..
On a rock hard ground, which in the depth of frozen winter would probably have been deemed unplayable, Llandrindod suffered yet more injuries to add to their long list though this did not stop them running in 8 tries, 3 of which were converted.
Ben Dugdale kicked off the try scoring spree followed in short order by the first of their try brace apiece by Danny Davies and Jac Holden, followed by a try from wing Paul Harris, to give Llandrindod a 24 point lead at half time.
Though the youthful Llanidloes side were not at all overawed by the fast running of their visitors, they were unable to make any progress because any territorial advantage they gained was generally lost to them by Llandrindod's intelligent kicking that drove them back time and time again. Further tries by prop Lee James, his first since school, a pushover try grounded by Davies, and tries from Jamie Watkins and then Holden's second. Davies converted 3 of these tries.
This Saturday, Llandrindod's frenetic end of season programme see them travel to Tref-y-Clawdd for the last league match of the season. Next week, they meet either Clee Hill or Tref-y-Clawdd in the semi-finals of the Lucton Cup on Tuesday 17th, and on Saturday 21st the Mid Wales grand finale when their 2nds meet UCW 3rds in the final of the Shield at COBRA, and the 1sts play Builth 2nds in the final of the Cup.
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Saturday 7 April
Llandrindod Wells 33- R C Groningen (Holland) 26
A feast of tries and running rugby in the bright Spring sunshine made this an afternoon to remember. For the first hour of the game, Llandrindod were too strong for the tourists, running in five tries four converted, to give them a lead of 33 points.
This was not the end of the excitement though as suddenly Groningen got their act together with fast running and good ball retention, and with four tries three converted, came within a whisker of drawing the game, an upset they would have surely achieved had not the referee blew 'time'.
Llandrindod's tries were scored by Geraint Evans, Danny Davies, Kevin Percy, and a maiden try apiece from promising wingers Dan Rouell and David Thomas. Davies converted four of the tries.
The downside to this game was a shoulder injury to key centre Tom Bradley. With a crowded schedule with two League games and two or more Cup games before the end of the season, Llandrindod growing injury list is starting to cause concern.
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Lucton Cup. Thursday 5 April
Llandrindod Wells 24- West Mercia Police 0
The Police gallantly stepped in to the breach caused by the expected opposition Bridgnorth not being able to raise a full team.
The tone of the game was set in the first 10 seconds as the Police fumbled the take from Llandrindod's kick-off, knocked on and Llandrindod's quicksilver scrum half Dale Wilson took full benefit of the advantage being allowed by the referee to dash the few metres to the line and touch down. Danny Davies converting.
Llandrindod were always on the attack in this half and were camped in the opposition's half for long periods. Centre Tom Underhill was the next try scorer, this time in the corner, to give Llandrindod a good lead to take in to the second half.
In the second half, the Police pack really got their collective act together and created problems for Llandrindod in both the set pieces and the loose. Though the Police did not score throughout this half, it was not for want of effort probably let down more by their backs than anything else.
Wing Jac Holden was Llandrindod's next try-scorer as he was allowed to stretch his legs to gallop away from the Police defence, Davies converting. With Llandrindod still in control, just, the game began to die as a spectacle and was only enlivened by Bradley's second try to put Llandrindod in to a Semi-Final clash against either Clee Hill or Tref-y-Clawdd on Tuesday 17 April.
This week, Llandrindod visit Llanidloes 2nds on Tuesday 10 April, kick-off 7.30 pm, and then their final League match of the season away against Tref-y-Clawdd on Saturday. Add to this the Mid Wales Cup Final on 21 April plus the Lucton Cup game(s), and a frenetic end of season beckons.
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League. Saturday 10 March 2007
Llandrindod Wells 42- UCW 2nds 0
(League home/away 'double header')
This was a home and away 'double-header' and Llandrindod strengthened their grip on the League title with an emphatic win over UCW.
A bit of a hit and miss first half saw Llandrindod gain a useful lead with tries from Tom Underhill and Tom Bradley, with Danny Davies kicking a conversion and a penalty.
After the break Llandrindod opened up to good effect and further tries from Dale Wilson, Danny Davies, Dan Oakley and a second for Tom Bradley, with Davies kicking a further penalty. and two conversions.
This week Llandrindod play Bishops Castle in the postponed first round of the Lucton Floodlit Cup, on Wednesday 14 March, kick-off 7.30.
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Mid Wales Cup Semi-Final
COBRA 2nds 17- Llandrindod Wells 38
This is probably a game that Llandrindod will want to forget, even though they moved through to a Final clash with Builth 2nds on 14 April. Five tries to nil up at half time against a scratch COBRA side comprising both young and not so young players, they lost all discipline and shape in the second half and allowed their opposition to gain in confidence and score two tries and to gain a penalty try.
There was no doubt who was on top in the first half. Dazzling running by Jack Holden with two tries, Tom Underhill, Ben Dugdale, and skipper Jonathan Duggan who dummied his way through a bemused defence, gave Llandrindod the sort of platform they needed to overwhelm COBRA in the second half. Danny Davies converted three of these tries.
Happily for COBRA, but not so for Llandrindod, the game turned on it's head in the second half. The COBRA pack started to put real pressure on Llandrindod with predictable results. Hywel Jones was the first COBRA scorer as the Llandrindod defence started to wilt. Then came the penalty try as constant infringements by Llandrindod in desperate defence forced the referee to act. Mathew Griffiths converted. Finally came an unconverted COBRA try by Geraint Jones.
In between all this mayhem, Llandrindod were able to mount a few attacks of their own and wing Paul Harris ended a fine passing movement to touch down. Davies converting.
This week, Llandrindod travel to Luctonians on Wednesday evening to take part in the first round of the Lucton Floodlit Cup when they play Bishops Castle, kick off 7.30 pm.
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League. Saturday 24 February 2007
Llandrindod Wells 28- Tref-y-Clawdd 3
Llandrindod consolidated their position at the top of the League with a workmanlike win against fellow Radnorshire club Tref-y-Clawdd, in a game that never really sparkled. Coming up against a team with a well deserved reputation for endlessly harrowing the opposition, Llandrindod were lethargic in the first half, due partly to their enforced two week layoff, but in the second half they were rarely out of the opposition's half and spent long periods camped close the Tref-y-Clawdd line.
Much of Llandrindod's success during this match in particular, and in the season in general, is down to a strong and stable pack giving them the platform to build attacks on their opponents, and a good defence bulwark in times of need. Their powerhouse is the front row of heavyweight props Lee James & Richard Watkins with Dai Harris hooking. What is interesting about this partnership is that their average age is barely 21! With a second row of Jamie Watkins and Geraint Evans (substituting for the injured Duncan Lawrence), and flankers Dan Oakley & Jonathan Lewis, with Danny Davies bringing up the rear at No. 8, this is arguably the strongest pack that Llandrindod have consistently fielded for a decade.
Back to the match. An impasse of some 15 minutes of even play was broken when Neil James touched down followed in short order by a Danny Davies try and conversion in the corner. Tref-y-Clawdd's only success in the half being a well taken Rhodri Lewis penalty.
It was all Llandrindod in the second half. Consecutive penalties by Davies stretched the lead beyond Tref-y-Clawdd's capabilities to recover, and then came the try of the match as wing Tom Underhill ran 30 metres through the opposition to score. Finally veteran centre Ian Ward, coming on as a substitute, had an quick impact on the game with a well scored try, converted by Davies
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League. Saturday 3 February 2007
Llandrindod Wells 8- Builth 2nds 5
An innocent bystander at this game could have been forgiven for thinking that Builth were winning by a good length, so dominant were they generally in terms of possession, territory, and forward play. However, in what was arguably Llandrindod's sternest test of the season so far, the thin blue line absorbed attack after attack to win by the narrow margin of 3 points and acquire vital League points in their search for their first title since the '90's.
The calm came before the storm in the first half. Even possession and territory for the first 20 minutes with Llandrindod taking the lead with a Danny Davies penalty, giving way to Builth pressure towards the end of the half. This culminated in a Builth try from their flanker Elwyn Jones who ran through the Llandrindod defence to touch down in the corner. A slender 2 point lead to the visitors at the whistle.
More of the same in the second half. Builth using their pack to good effect and causing Llandrindod problems in the loose. Against the run of play, a Llandrindod attack saw scrum-half Dale Wilson make a break from the base of a loose maul, pass out to wing Tom Underhill who powered his way over in the corner, a very similar try to his second last week against Aberystwyth. The angle was too great for Davies to convert and so the match went in to a nail-biting 20 minute finale.
Urged on by their very vocal support, Builth camped in the Llandrindod half and made every effort to score. Attack after attack was repulsed by a desperate defence, scrum after scrum were awarded against Llandrindod and on at least three occasions the ball-carrier crossed the try line but was held up.
At last the blessed whistle blew and Llandrindod were able to celebrate an unlikely victory leaving Builth to rue what might have been.
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League. Saturday 27 January 2007
Aberystwyth Athletic 15- Llandrindod Wells 23
This Llandrindod squad really came of age on Saturday as they overcame the League leaders on their own turf, and at the same time gave a strong message to the rest of the League that Llandrindod were the team to watch now. Their win was the result of a 110% effort from everyone and was the just reward for the squad which has been gradually developing over the past two seasons.
Camped almost exclusively in the Aberystwyth half for the first period of play, their continuous pressure was well rewarded with a try by wing Tom Underhill early on who used his power and speed to touch down. This was followed in short order with a Danny Davies penalty to open up an 8 point lead as the effective Llandrindod pack took the game hard to their opponents, with lock Duncan Lawrence highly visible in the middle of the action. Also visible was Llandrindod centre Tom Bradley, though for the wrong reason, as an injury during a typical driving run left him with a closing left eye, but he returned to the fray after treatment.
Gradually Aberystwyth began to stem the tide and to mount attacks of their own on the Llandrindod line resulting in the visitors conceding a penalty try converted by Neil Swallow to narrow the lead at half time.
The match was more in the balance after the interval as both sides slugged it out to try to gain the ascendancy. A superb drop goal from Aberystwyth's Hugh Griffiths gave them the lead early on in the half, before Llandrindod's Davies found himself at the bottom of the pile after a dramatic forward push had crossed the Aberystwyth line and touched down to regain the edge.
With Aberystwyth pressing the Llandrindod line again, their flanker Gwyn Evans appeared as from nowhere to score in the corner. Advantage Aberystwyth. More power and pace from Llandrindod wing Underhill sliced though a deep Aberystwyth defence to score in the corner, with Davies kicking an improbable conversion. Advantage Llandrindod by 5 points, a mere try. Then another Llandrindod penalty from Davies stretched the lead to 8 points which meant that Aberystwyth had to score twice.
Finally the whistle for the end of the match and Llandrindod had won.
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League. Saturday 20 January 2007
Llandrindod Wells 38- Newtown 2nds 3
This was another day at the office as Llandrindod efficiently dispatched a highly experienced Newtown outfit. Using their pace and youth Llandrindod were on the attack from the kick off with wing Tom Underhill perhaps being the star of the first half as his searing breaks created two tries for his colleagues.
The first of these occurred two minutes in to the first half as Underhill made 50 metres to create a long passing movement in the backs culminating in flanker Danny Davies, who had slotted in with the backs, touching down and then converting his own try. Still keeping up the pressure Llandrindod wing Jac Holden scored in the corner before the other wing Ben Dugdale became the next beneficiary of an Underhill break to touch down. With Newtown only able to manage a penalty from their veteran full-back Stan Davies, Llandrindod cruised in to the second half with a 17-3 lead.
With the pitch becoming more glutinous in the second half, and the Newtown pack more effective, the game slowed up markedly after the restart as Llandrindod had to repel a number of determined assaults on their line. Successfully as it turned out, and they were able to turn the tide with three tries, from full back Kevin Percy, centre Neil James and scrum-half Dale Wilson. Davies converting all three tries.
Llandrindod travel to Aberystwyth this week for a top of the table clash with their 2nd XV. Kick off 2.30 pm.
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League. Saturday 6 January 2007
Welshpool 2nds 0- Llandrindod Wells 38
This was a good run out for both sides after a long lay-off and a surfeit of festivities! Llandrindod came out on top by the margin of 6 tries to nil, none perhaps the more satisfying than the last gasp try from Dale Wilson, coming back after a long absence due to injury, and having a run-out for the last 10 minutes of the game.
Wing Jac Holden put Llandrindod on the scoresheet after the first 2 minutes with a fine try in the corner, quickly followed by one from the other wing, Paul Harris. By now all the backs were making considerable inroads in to the Welshpool defence, with centres Tom Bradley and Neil James outstanding as they took the attack hard to the opposition. Finally, in this half, another try from a back, this time from scrum-half Tom Underhill, put Llandrindod 19 points ahead to nil at the break, Danny Davies converting two of the tries in this half.
In the second half, Llandrindod were camped almost exclusively in the Welshpool half of the pitch, and were well rewarded with tries from Neil James, Geraint Evans, and finally Dale Wilson's try at the end. Davies converted two of these tries.
This week, Llandrindod host former league members COBRA, in a friendly. Kick off 2.30 pm.
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Mid Wales Cup- Quarter Final
UWA 15-Llandrindod Wells 19
This was a dour game on a dour, windy, afternoon as Llandrindod, leading at first and dominant up front for most of the game, slipped behind in the second half and struggled to cope with the slick ball skills of an increasingly confident University side.
Wing Jac Holden opened Llandrindod's account early on in the first half as he picked up a ball from loose play and eluded the UCW cover to touch down in the corner. A Danny Davies penalty soon after stretched the visitor's lead but by now UCW were starting to get their act together and this was evidenced by the first of centre Gareth Jeffries two tries. Unfortunately for the kicker, his conversion attempt flopped, literally, five metres in front of him!
Another Davies penalty just before half time meant that Llandrindod ended this phase of the match ahead, but not substantially so, and certainly not far enough with the wind going to benefit UCW in the second half.
Llandrindod probably played better rugby in the second half and an early Davies penalty seemed to ensure a reasonably certain win but this was not in the minds of the UCW backs. Quick passing and fast, elusive, running caused Llandrindod no end of problems and UCW were justly rewarded with two tries, one from Mathew Bone and the second from Jeffries. Fortunately for Llandrindod, UCW's armoury of skills did not include kicking and their two conversion attempts were not much better than their first.
The last few minutes of the match were frantic as Llandrindod, using their forward power, strove to cross the UCW line. A Davies try attempt was disallowed and it was up to flanker Neil James to power his way over to give Llandrindod a narrow win and progression to the semi-final of this Cup.
This week, Llandrindod host UCW in the League.
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Floodlit Cup- Semi Final. Tuesday 21 November
Llandrindod Wells 9- Luctonians 10
For the second time this season, Llandrindod have been knocked out of a Cup by the margin of a single point. On this occasion, the spectators would not have been surprised if the margin had been much greater, so dominant were the visitors in the first half. Their only reward though was a single try from Andrew Garrod, conversion by Don Phillips, as the thin blue and white line held fast and Danny Davies reduced the deficit with a penalty close to the break.
After half time, it was a resurgent Llandrindod who pressed Luctonians hard and were rewarded with two Davies penalties to give them an improbable lead and Davies his century of points without even reaching the halfway point of the season. A penalty given away by Llandrindod in front of the posts put Luctonians in the lead, and finally the result of the game hung on a Davies penalty attempt in front of the posts in the last 10 seconds of the game. Unfortunately for Llandrindod it seemed that the pressure of the moment got to him and he sliced the ball wide.
Luctonians now meet either Rhayader or Builth in the Final of this Cup on Tuesday 28 November, kick-off 7.30 pm.
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Floodlit Cup- Quarter Final. Tuesday 7 November
Llandrindod Wells 45- Pontrilas 5
Llandrindod were well on top in the first half but changes to the Pontrilas side after the break made this a much more competitive game. Centre Giles Scott scored for Pontrilas early in the second half but that was really their only success of the night. For Llandrindod, Ben Dugdale and Jac Holden scored a brace of tries apiece, Duncan Lawrence scored a try and Danny Davies kicked four conversions and four penalties.
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Mid Wales Cup- 1st round Saturday 28 October
Aberystwyth 3- Llandrindod Wells 40
This was a match to remember. For so long, Aberystwyth have been Llandrindod's downfall and most Llandrindod supporters would have thought that this trip to the seaside would have resulted in disappointment. Not this weekend as Llandrindod, playing probably their best rugby for many a long year, swept Aberystwyth aside to score six tries to none.
The first hint of what was to come came in the 50th second of the game. A defensive maul in the Aberystwyth half immediately after Llandrindod kicked off gave the visitors an early penalty but whilst the referee was playing advantage, Danny Davies dropped on of the sweetest goals of his career to immediately put the hosts on the back foot, a state from which they never really recovered.
Though Llandrindod did not have all the territorial advantage in the first half, their handling and general skills were superior and this was exemplified with the first of their tries. A long break downfield by Tom Bradley, with wing Kevin Percy on his shoulder, saw Percy touch down as Bradley flicked to the ball to his teammate just before the try line. Llandrindod's second try was from the other wing, Jac Holden, who stretched his long legs away from the Aberystwyth defence to score in the corner after a Llandrindod scrum. With neither try being converted, this gave the visitors a 13 point lead, which was reduced somewhat when Aberystwyth's Tommy Vance troubled the scorers with a penalty just before half time.
The second half was more of the same from Llandrindod with Holden opening the half with his second try. Another Davies penalty, from some 40 metres, stretched the lead even further before Neil James, flanker turned temporary centre for the day, touched down after a 30 metre dash, Davies converting. By now, despite some gallant running from the Aberystwyth backs, it was all Llandrindod, and their strength on the day was recognised as new prop, Richard Watkins, powered his way over for his second try in his short Llandrindod career. Finally, scrum-half Ian Ward touched down, a just reward for the problems he was causing Aberystwyth with his jinking runs. Davies converted and Llandrindod want through to the next round of the Cup.
For the next four weeks, because of the Internationals, no regular games have been scheduled and Llandrindod are going to repeat their experiment from last year of running a local flood-lit Cup. Details to follow.
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National Cup. Saturday 21 October
Llandrindod Wells 16- Bro Ffestiniog 17
Llandrindod very nearly pulled off a surprise upset over their Division 5 visitors, and the very close result pointed to a match that, objectively, could have gone either way. Against a more experienced side who play week in and week out in a more senior league than Llandrindod, the home side put up a sterling performance marred only by a serious injury to their scrum-half Dale Wilson who went off early in the first half with a suspected fractured cheek-bone.
Starting off with neither side really having the ascendancy, Llandrindod opened the scoring with a penalty from Mr Reliable, Danny Davies, who also picked up the Llandrindod Man of the Match award. The loss of Wilson at this point meant that Llandrindod had to call on the services of veteran Ian Ward to do duty behind the scrum but despite his good efforts Bro started to created problems for the home side and were rewarded with a Paul Jones try conversion by Eddy Roberts. A further Bro try, this time from Barry Roberts who skipped through the Llandrindod defence, conversion again from Eddy Roberts, seemed to dim Llandrindod's hopes in the match but another Davies penalty reduced the deficit to 8 points and then a long attacking movement saw Llandrindod centre Tom Bradley cross for a try, Davies slotting the ball over yet again. 13-14 to Bro at half time.
It was more dour in the second half, and problematic for Llandrindod, as players went down with injury. However, good pressure gave Llandrindod a Davies penalty to give them a justifiable, though somewhat improbable, lead of 2 points. This did not last long as a forward infringement by Llandrindod after a period of sustained Bro pressure gifted Bro an Eddy Roberts penalty in front of the posts.
The game then seemed dead in the water for Llandrindod as Bro were making all the running in the afternoon gloom until Tom Bradley broke through with a 40 metre dash to the posts. Unfortunately he could not control the ball at the end of the run and Bro came storming back until the whistle finally blew on a game that did Llandrindod proud.
This week, by some strange quirk of timing by the Mid Wales League, Llandrindod have another Cup match and travel to Aberystwyth for a Mid Wales Cup first round clash against Aberystwyth 2nds. Kick off 2.00 pm. Sponsors for last week's game were Lyn Thomas and Carl Watkins.
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League Saturday 14 October
Newtown 2nds 7 Llandrindod Wells 19
Newtown is never an easy trip for Llandrindod to make, and this match proved to be no exception as the visitors came up against a skilled and experienced side whose only weakness was, perhaps, the passing of the years.
It was in the first half that Newtown really shone as their defence held in a game notable for the quantity and quality of the kicking, with neither side really penetrating on the narrowish Newtown pitch. Despite some champagne moments as Llandrindod showed their passing skills it was Newtown who scored first as Steve Watkin charged down a Llandrindod clearing kick to touch down, with Danny Hill kicking a good conversion. Still Llandrindod pressed the Newtown defence and were eventually rewarded with a try from their live-wire scrum half, Dale Wilson, as the Newtown scrum were pushed back to their own line. Danny Davies converting. 7-7 at half time.
The first part of the second half was very much a repeat of the first half. Llandrindod pressing, Newtown holding, and still the preference by both sides for putting boot to ball. At last Llandrindod took the lead with a try from wing Jac Holden after a good back movement reprising some of the interplay from the first half.
From this point, Llandrindod dominated the game winning scrums and lineouts almost at will as Newtown visibly tired. Outstanding work from Llandrindod's flanker John (Silo) Davies, before his trip to Australia, drove Newtown back time after time. Finally, Llandrindod made the game safe with wing Ben Dugdale scoring this third try in his three games for the club, Danny Davies converting.
This week, Llandrindod host Bro Ffestiniog in the second round of the National Cup. Kick off 2.00 pm.
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League Saturday 7 October
Llandrindod Wells 107- Welshpool 2nds 5
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League Saturday 30 September
Llandrindod Wells 24- Welshpool 2nds 19
With their 1st Xv having a free weekend, a strengthened Welshpool 2nds nearly overcame a spirited Llandrindod in an end to end match that did great credit to both sides. The strong forward effort, particularly in the set scrums, mauls and rucks forced Llandrindod to concede penalty after penalty throughout the match which resulted in the visitors securing the precious '4 P's: Possession, Position, Pressure and points. Fortunately the boot was on the other foot as it were in open play where the more mobile Llandrindod backs and forwards were able to dominate play with their skill and pace.
Playing down the slope in ideal conditions Llandrindod opened their account after 15 minutes of play with a try under the posts by scrum half Dale Wilson, following good interplay with skipper Jonathan Duggan which was converted by Jac Holden.
The pendulum swung back to the Llandrindod line and following four penalties taken as scrum options by Welshpool, Mathew Deare went over for an unconverted try shortly before half time to bring the score back to 7-5. Not to be outdone, Llandrindod went straight back in to the attack and debutant right wind Ben Dugdale scored an unconverted try following a series of kicks along the ground.
Early in the second half, the Llandrindod backs swept in two outstanding tries from left to right to give Jac Holden a brace of tries, once of which he converted, to give the hosts a 24-5 lead which could have lead to a big Llandrindod win.
However, Welshpool had other ideas as No 8 David Owen touched town from a scrum push-over, and then prop David Downes muscled his way over following a long passage of play on the Llandrindod 5 metre line. Daly Jones converted both tries and Llandrindod scraped home with a win.
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League. Saturday 16 September
Builth Wells 2nds 14- Llandrindod Wells 28
If Houdini was alive now he would have been proud of this escapist Llandrindod squad as they turned near certain defeat in to a substantial victory in the space of 10 minutes and all this came about in a match that could be divided in to 3 distinct parts.
Part 1 was the first half. Against a strong Builth squad who were playing their first game of the season, Llandrindod were on top for the first ten minutes or so and were rewarded with a penalty from Danny Davies. Builth hit back with a Will Leonard penalty and were by now starting to get their act together. Another penalty from Leonard gave them the lead but in the sort of ding dong encounter that the game was turning in to Davies levelled the score with his second successful kick.
Both sides were now playing some intelligent rugby. Dickie Lewis for Llandrindod was yet again their main ball carrier, whilst full back Kevin Percy was using his overall footballing skills to create problems for Builth. On one occasion he gathered the ball inside his try area from a sliced Builth penalty attempt to drive Builth back deep in to their half with a tremendous kick. Increasing Builth pressure took its' toll and Builth wing Gareth Jones crossed for an unconverted try. Finally, another successful Leonard penalty gave Builth a 14-6 lead at half time.
Part 2 of this game was the first 30 minutes of the second half. Builth were all over Llandrindod in this phase, with the visitors seemingly unable to break the stranglehold apart from another Davies penalty. It was a wonder though that Builth did not score such was the pressure and Llandrindod's attempts to break out were hampered by poor passing. The pressure built as in a pressure cooker and eventually proved too much for everyone as most players seemed to be involved in one way or another in an ugly brawl off-field, the net result of which was a sending off of a Builth player and a good talking to from the referee to all concerned.
Tempers calmed after all this and Builth resumed their pressure on the Llandrindod line. Until Part 3 of this game which was the final 10 minutes of the match. An interception by Llandrindod scrum-half Tom Underhill deep in his own half resulted in an 80 metre dash for the try line, hotly pursued by two Builth players who almost managed to keep up with him. Underhill touched down just in time and his try was converted by Davies with a good kick from wide out to give Llandrindod a 2 point lead.
Minutes after another Llandrindod interception, this time by wing Jac Holden saw him sprint 40 metres to score under the posts. Davies converting. By this time Builth were collapsing like a punctured balloon and Llandrindod wrapped up the game with a maiden try from substitute forward Geraint Lewis to give them a welcome, but totally unexpected, win and their new captain, Jonathan Duggan, a useful boost.
Llandrindod have no match this weekend. Their next game is a league match when they host Welshpool 2nds on Saturday 30 September
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League. Saturday 9 September
Llandrindod Wells 7- Aberystwyth 2nds 19
This was a disappointing home start to their League challenge by Llandrindod and a considerable let-down after last week's fine win against Hereford 2nds. Part of this was due to coming up against such a strong team so early in the League season, but the home side's tactical naivety let them down on more than one occasion. Indeed, some of this continued from last season where, for example, the desire to run with the ball in the hope of scoring a try outweighed the need for solid points on the board via a penalty kick attempt. Points win matches!
This was not to say that Llandrindod did not compete, and very effectively at that. The first half was a hard fought affair with Llandrindod piling on the pressure but to no avail. A rough estimate from the touchline put Llandrindod ahead 55/45 in the percentage of time spent in their opponent's half. To no avail though as they were unable to capitalise on the space they were creating and it was towards the end of this, to date, scoreless half that Aberystwyth broke the shackles with a try from flanker Ian Bunton, converted by scrum-half Thomas Evans.
Leading by seven points at the start of the second half, it was Aberystwyth's turn to take the game in to the Llandrindod half, to be rewarded with Bunton's second try, again converted by Evans. With Llandrindod veteran Dickie Lewis leading the charge, Llandrindod hit back hard and a good back movement saw Llandrindod wing Jac Holden cross for a try almost under the posts, converted by the ever reliable Danny Davies.
Aberystwyth were not finished, nor did they relax on the 7 point lead. Halfway through this half, Llandrindod allowed Aberystwyth No. 8 Gavin Knapp to score thus giving Aberystwyth a substantial safety margin, at least in the context of this low-scoring game. By the end of the match though, Llandrindod were creating so much pressure that it was a wonder that they did not score. Attack after attack on the Aberystwyth line was repulsed and scoring opportunity after opportunity went begging but the visitors held out to record a well deserved win.
This week, Llandrindod travel to Builth 2nds who have just returned to this League.
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Friendly. Saturday 2 September.
Hereford 2nds 19- Llandrindod
Wells 26
This was a good win for Llandrindod, especially after being down 19-7 at half
time, and competing against a side who were overall physically larger than their
guests. The highlight of the game being a hat-trick of tries from Llandrindod
centre and captain Tom Bradley
Playing down the slope and with the wind and rain, Hereford mounted attack after
attack and were only kept out by resilient defence. Eventually the pounding by
this larger side took its' toll and Hereford's Sam Louis crossed over for a try,
converted by Morgan Goudall. With the elements making for a scrappy game,
Hereford scored again, this time under the posts, by Dan Savager, Goudall
converting again.
By now, Llandrindod were starting to get their act together and press the home
side. They were rewarded with an try from full back Kevin Percy, superbly
converted by Danny Davies across the strong wind. This good work was undone
however just before half time when a poor defensive clearance went straight to a
Hereford attacker and a pass to Savager gave him their second try and his team a
19-7 lead at the whistle.
The second half saw a change in Llandrindod's fortune, playing down the hill as
they were and with the benefit of the elements. Intelligent positional kicking
by skipper Jonathan Duggan and full back Kevin Percy kept Hereford pinned in to
their own half. In consecutive moves, lineouts won on the host's 22 brought
about two cracking tries from vice-captain Tom Bradley, converted by Davies, to
give Llandrindod a 19-21 lead going in the final quarter.
After this it was ding-dong all the way as both sides threw everything they had
in to the final minutes. A full-back fumble by Hereford allowed Tom Bradley to
gather the ball and to cross for his third try to give Llandrindod a 19-26 well
deserved win.
This week Llandrindod host Aberystwyth 2nds in the League. Though the win
against Hereford 2nds was a good one in the circumstances, Llandrindod will need
to improve their scrummaging and work around the base of the scrum if they are
to tackle both Aberystwyth 2nds and Builth 2nds, who was front-runner contenders
in the Mid Wales League.
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