Fixture

Llandrindod Wells RFC | 1st Team 14 - 11 St Albans RFC | 1st Team

Match Report
24 April 2016 / Team News

Llandrindod Wells 14 St Albans 11

Llandrindod Wells 14 St Albans 11
A two hour journey to Powys is a ‘big ask’ for amateur, community players. Although,
in fairness to Llandrindod, they have to make these journeys every other game.
Under these circumstances, St Albans were pleased to assemble 16 players for an
11.30 a.m. meet. The drive through the Beacons was spectacular – the snow flurries
unexpected in April.
The Home team, fresh off a recent home victory, had a full squad – and were being
put through their paces long before the Buns’ Bus arrived. It was fairly obvious that
Llandrindod would look to their bigger pack and ninth forward, scrum half to win the
game. However, playing with the wind, St Albans weathered the storm and looked to
counter through the backs. The pattern of the game, often seen the Buns
successfully defending in their 22 – however their over eagerness in defence
resulted in critical yellow cards. A Mike Thomas penalty gave gritty Buns a 3-0 half
time lead – but a lot of effort had been expanded.
The Second Half started with the Buns on the attack for much of the opening quarter.
Scott Belmont, Robbie Elliott, Adnam Omar and Walter Gilbert were seeing more of
the ball and a try looked inevitable. Goal line defence – and a ‘ball held up’ decision
kept St Albans at bay – and a second Thomas penalty seemed scant reward.
However, unloading their bench, against tiring opponents, Llandrindod were to
dominate most of the latter proceedings.
From a midfield scrum, two flat passes, opened up the Buns’ defence and the full
back crossed for a converted try – giving Llandrindod a 7-6 lead. With the Buns
tiring, a refreshed home pack trundled over the line to extend the lead to 14-6. With
the home side on top, they might have expected further scores – but St Albans hung
in there, returned to the attack and Thomas scored a try to narrow the gap to 3. The
Buns scented victory – but the missed conversion signalled the end of the game.
In a disjointed team performance, Josh Price and Joe Browett put in great shifts –
and young Max Hart carried well. Whilst visibly disappointed, Buns’ skipper Dan
Millward was hopeful that if performance could be added to spirit then St Albans had
scope to improve.
St Albans are very grateful to the terrific hospitality offered by Llandrindod Wells.
Players Fixture player info not published.
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