Old Illtydians recorded an 11th win from 13 league games with a hard fought victory against a well drilled Llandaff side with some very good young players. This could be looked at as a point lost as the Illts had scored a third try to lead 17-0 just a minute into the second half, but failed to score again while the visitors landed a penalty and a late try to pick up a bonus point that their efforts probably merited.
The pitch was in remarkably good condition given the weather and the fact that the Saints had played a match at 1PM, but was still heavy and made running rugby difficult. Despite this the visitors started much the better, keeping the ball in hand and creating opportunities out wide which were foiled by a combination of good scrambling defence and poor options being taken. The Illts didn’t really get going in the first quarter but exploded into life shortly after. A big break by prop Josh Harris was taken on by centre Jason Smith, when the ball was recycled quickly wing Ben McHardy was able to power through the last tackler to score. Cochlin converted superbly to take the lead to 7-0.
The second try wasn’t long coming, this time powerful centre Neil Dallimore made the initial break, a fine dummy by second row Dan Molcher continued the momentum and good handling released wing Dan Savager to score in the corner from McHardys pass. From the kick off, McHardy pulled up with a hamstring injury and was replaced by Matt Banner on the wing. The Illts were rampant at this stage with centres Dallimore and Smith making a mess of the visitors midfield and the forwards carrying well.
A third try looked likely but a few minutes of collective madness were to cost the home side. First a poorly executed lineout drive saw a 5 metre lienout driven into touch. An excellent tackle from hooker Mike Hiscocks forced a 5 metre scrum which was then lost against the head, and then a late hit on the visitors 10 (who kicked beautifully throughout the game) saw a penalty conceded from where the ball had landed. That penalty was kicked into touch by Llandaff and suddenly the Illts were defending metres from their own line.
Luckily at this stage the Illts had sorted out the defensive issues they had in the first quarter, as Llandaff pulled on the pressure there was some tremendous defence, in particular against the visitors well executed maul. No 8 Tom Wheeler saw yellow, but the hosts held out until half time.
Almost straight from kick off, another huge break by Smith caused the damage and good hands by Banner put Savager over in the corner for his second try. At 17-0 with 3 tries in the bag, the home crowd expected a bonus point but this didn’t materialise. The game became increasingly scrappy and despite continuing to make breaks, particularly through midfield the Illts couldn’t finish off their chances. Llandaff started to control field position due to the excellent kicking of the 10, and a penalty and a try after some sloppy tackling allowed the visiting hooker to make a big break and do the damage. Llandaff sensed an opportunity for a draw, in particular after tighthead Harris left the field injured and the Illts scrum came under some rare pressure but the home side saw the game out without too many alarms.
Earlier the Saints had scored a fine 45-5 over Sea View – the Illts started with passive scrums due to a lack of props which hampered the visitors who seemed to have a surplus of front rowers. The Saints played some fine running rugby and scored some excellent tries. Well done boys!
Processing