Late try condemns villagers to defeat (From Barry And District News)

Late try condemns villagers to defeat

DINAS POWYS 6 PTS

LLANTWIT FARDRE 13 PTS

THE VILLAGERS entertained Llantwit Fardre last Saturday in one of only two games played in Division Two East because of the poor weather.

With both sides at the wrong end of the table, it was a close and intense game from the kick off.

The visitors had the best of the first half, dominating much of the possession and making fewer mistakes in the difficult conditions.

The game was still deadlocked at 0-0 after nearly half an hour, but it was Llantwit Fardre who had the decisive break when the excellent Villagers defence left space for once, and the Llantwit Fardre centre M Taylor squeezed into the corner, just avoiding the corner flag and grounding the ball for a try.

The home side rallied well and fought their way back into the game, and on the stroke of half time Kevin Smith landed a penalty to leave the visitors just 5-3 ahead at the interval.

Within three minutes of the restart a second penalty was landed by the home side, to give the Villagers a 6-5 lead they were to hold until the last five minutes of the game.

Llantwit Fardre pressured the home line for long periods during the second half, but the Villagers got better as the game progressed and an impressive defensive spell saw them hold their lead to the frustration of the visitors who were clearly distraught, following one lengthy spell in the home 22 before the Villagers cleared their lines.

When they did break through, the Villagers pressurised the Llantwit Fardre defence and the second half performance was one of the best 40 minutes the Villagers have enjoyed in this difficult season.

Several times the back-line threatened to break through, with Dean Greck, who also put in some big tackles, Jamie Kroll, skipper Rhodri Davies and scrum-half Glyn Welsh all just failing at the last hurdle. Winger Paul Davies also had an impact on his return from injury.

The forwards caused Llantwit Fardre problems all afternoon, with front row Dai Morgan, Ross Meadows and Mark Smart all playing well in the tight and the loose.

Stuart Pyeman had a big impact in the engine room, whilst Simon Baston, Jason Allen and Paul Langley all had big games in the back row.

Kareem Hassan again showed his promise, coming on as a second half replacement before having to cover in the centre following an injury to Rhodri Davies.

The Villagers though could not quite get the breakthrough they required, and heartache was to follow for the home supporters in the final minutes of the game.

The decisive score was particularly galling, because the referee failed to spot a forward pass which led to a chase to the line, and winger A Kent crossed taking the corner flag with him.

The referee appeared to point to the 22 for a drop out but then consulted with the Llantwit Fardre touch judge and awarded the visitors a try.

The Villagers still had time to re-take the lead and did put pressure on the Llantwit Fardre line, but could not quite ground the ball for a decisive try.

Two minutes into injury time the visitors' Richard Langmead slotted over a penalty, leaving the home side needing a converted try to share the points.

The referee allowed a few more minutes, and the Villagers did give the visitors a few anxious moments, but they held out to take the points.

The end was a disappointment for the Villagers, but a few weeks ago the club would have settled for this result following the mauling against Abercynon.

But with players returning to the club, players coming back from injury, and the outstanding contributions from the young players in the club, the future looks much brighter for Dinas Powys.

This Saturday Dinas Powys entertain Rhymney on the Common in the return fixture from the beginning of the season, when the Villagers lost 41-5. Kick-off is at 2.30pm.

Following Christmas there is the much anticipated cup game versus Premiership outfit Pontypridd on the Common, at 2.30pm on Saturday, December 27.