Fixture

Llantwit Vardre

This rearranged game took us to the 4G of Sardis Road for the 2^nd time this year. This time the opposition would be Llantwit Vardre. In much better playing conditions, the team prepared for what we thought would be a hard game ahead.

The opposition did not disappoint. Big and strong upfront and with pacey skilful backs behind they offered threats all over the pitch. We needed to be very confrontational and try to win the battle of the gain line to stand any chance. 

I am confident that there are not many fitter teams than us and by working with high intensity and pace, and keeping the ball for long periods, we would have enjoyed success against a team that to date is the best we have played against. This did not happen at any point during the first half.

We conceded possession by making simple handling mistakes and kicking poorly under pressure. This meant Llantwit Vardre had numerous opportunities to attack. They moved the ball with accuracy and quickly accessed the outside channels. We struggled to cope with this and conceded tries around our outside defence. As a result, the opposition moved quickly into a 35-point lead through 5 converted tries. The first half summed up by the state of Sam’s boot, completely ripped apart!

To our credit the boys never gave up and at half time focused on what would work for us. Keeping the ball tight and working our way through phases to test their defence. With the wind at our backs, playing the game in the correct areas of the field would also be important.

In order to get wider in defence to stop them going around the outside we created more room around the ruck area. This along with some woeful tackling gave their dangerous runners the opportunity to break the gain line. Josh was exposed time and time again and on the 4G pitch where the pace of the game increases, had very little chance.

During our best period of the game, we managed to keep the ball for a period of time and put the opposition under pressure for a change. Several Rhino calls and hard running meant that we were able to go through numerous phases. Commitment to the breakdown to maintain possession meant that we regularly broke the gain line and ensured quicker ball for the backs. We were rewarded when Travis dummied his way over from close range to score a well-deserved try.

Unfortunately, we could not stop the opposition from scoring again and the referee called time on the game when a 50-point differential was reached. The final score was 59-7.

A humbling experience, but one that we will not shy away from in future. The benchmark has been set and hopefully players have realised the standards that need to be met to compete with a team of Llantwit Vardres standing. Skill levels need to be improved and while training on Monday and Wednesday is important, it is the responsibility of individuals to work on their skills away from these sessions.

Believe it or not there were aspects of the game that went well.

Our set piece remained competitive throughout. The scrum struggled on occasions but battled throughout to maintain possession. The lineout continues to work well. Players are taking responsibility with calls and with several players missing, others are taking on roles that they are not accustomed to. With Taylor working effectively at the front of the lineout we managed to steal several of their throw ins.

Things that we need to work on.

Individual skill levels need to be improved. Passing off both hands to enable us to attack wide channels and like the opposition on Sunday, do it with pace.

Understanding that the gain line is the most important part of the game. This will only increase as the boys move through the age groups. Too often on Sunday, we played behind the gain line and placed ourselves under pressure. Several positive forward drives were then followed by a pass that took the play back to where we started.

Against a team of the quality of Llantwit Vardre, we need everyone to be on the same page. Too many players were passive in defence and covered in behind thinking that this was the correct thing to do. We needed to flood the gain line and ‘smash’ the opposition behind it. This type of defensive pressure has been seen this year. Hucklecote is an example of this, our defence during this game was excellent. Unfortunately, we fell short of these standards on Sunday and paid a very heavy price.

On we go …………