Llandrindod Wells 19 Whitchurch 24

WRU LEAGUE 3 EAST CENTRAL C

LLANDRINDOD started 2018 hosting a Whitchurch a team that they had been well beaten by in September, and put in a hugely committed performance only to be cruelty beaten by a try in the last play of the game writes Jonathan Duggan.

Llandrindod were disrupted by some late withdrawals close to the match and suffered another blow when key centre Will Powell hobbled off the pitch with a nasty looking leg injury in the early exchanges.

However this seemed to galvanize the home team and they quickly scored a penalty try after the away sides scrum was marched backwards.

The home side did score again before half time through a driving maul with Aled Price expertly touching down for an unconverted try leaving a half time score of 12-0.

The second half started in similar fashion to the first with the Llandrindod front row of Noel Davies Jones, Sam Davies and skipper Watkins working tirelessly in the tight exchanges alongside Ash Hammond Senior and Jamie Price in the second row ensuring the home side were on the front foot. Josh Hammond and Geraint Evans were big carriers in the back row supported by Ash Hammond Jnr. A multi phase attack close to the Whitchurch line saw the ball spread by impressive fly half Sean Cosgrave to Aled Price to cross for a second try converted by Jonathan Duggan.

At 19-0 ahead the home side started to tire with substitutions limited. Whitchurch hit back with two tries with Llandrindod players in the sin bin meaning a nervy finish to the game. After more sustained pressure Whitchurch scored again to even the scores up with about three minutes to go and then cruelly with the last play of the game and bodies strewn all over the pitch the away sides winger got to a speculative chip through first to touch down with the last action of the game.

Llandrindod will look to bounce back with a trip to St Albans this Saturday but all concerned can be justifiably proud of their efforts in the first game of the new year.