Llandovery College 31 Welsh Academicals 38TRUE to their long tradition of free-flowing rugby, the invitation side ran in some fine tries – two from long distance – to pip Llandovery College by six tries to five in front of a healthy Tredegar Close crowd, writes Huw S Thomas.

The Accies – as they have been known ever since they were formed back in 1927 – had a squad of boys from over a dozen different schools to take on their Welsh independent opponents, now coached by former Bath and Wales back row Nathan Thomas.

Few of the Accies had played any regional rugby and the style of their victory only served to underline the fact that there are still many players of promise slipping through the regional net.

The Christ College pair of lock Archie Trevethen and centre Charlie East plus Ysgol Ystalyfera centre Ben Griffin all showed up well at various stages of the game, both East and Griffin scoring very good solo tries.

The College were caught napping in the opening quarter as they were hit by three tries – a penalty try after a high tackle, one to supporting flanker Jake Roberts (Greenhill CS) and another from the ever dangerous Griffin. Griffin – a Brecon boy now attending the Welsh school Ysgol Ystalyfera – scored a lovely individual try with a swerve and instant acceleration that took him right away from the covering defence

With fly half Nathan Williams (Coleg Gwent) converting to make it 19-0 things looked black for the Lilywhites.

But they slowly fought their way back into the game with props Sam O’Connor and Will Roberts, lock and skipper Griff Evans and No 8 Liam Wheeler getting more and more involved up front.

O’Connor crashed over before fly half Jack Evans chipped over the Accies rush defence to allow wing Deiniol Jones to gather on the full for a well crafted try, converted by Evans

It was 12-19 at the break and the Accies seemingly in control but a brace of tries in double quick time got the College into an unlikely 24-19 lead.

A quick tap and go from replacement scrum half Jacques Kinnison and a close range effort from the hard working Wheeler, converted by Evans shook the Accies.

The scores stung them into action and their superior speed and directness behind the scrum then paid dividends. Slick handling, fine support player and hard running brought them three rapid tries.

East, Whitchurch High School wing Sam Garston and Gowerton full back Cameron Clayfield all scored tries that started from deep and with Bryntirion CS fly half Jacob Thomas converting two of them it was suddenly 38-24.

It was a harsh scoreline for the young College side but honour was saved at the death when the tireless Wheeler grabbed his second try, converted by full back Alex Wainwright.

Accies Fixture Secretary - the former London Welsh and Wales centre Keith Hughes – paid warm tribute to both teams

“Both sides were ready to attack and counter attack at will” said Hughes “and it made for a very entertaining spectacle to show that outside the regions there are plenty of excellent players performing at a high level.”

Scorers:

Llandovery College: Tries: L Wheeler (2), S O’Connor, D Jones, J Kinnison: Cons: J Evans (2), A Wainwright

Welsh Accies: Pen try, J Roberts, B Griffin, C East, S Garston, C Cayfield: Cons: J Thomas (2) N Williams