News

Llanhilleth welcomed local rivals Hafodyrynys to the Park for their first home league fixture of the season, recent encounters have been tight affairs and this derby was to be no different.

Llan started well through their forwards making good ground which led to an early penalty goal converted by fullback Kyle Sterry, they continued to pressurise the Hafod line and from a driving line-out Tighthead Prop Terry O’Brien crossed for a try for an 8-0 lead.

Hafod to their credit started to get a foothold in the game and took two penalty goals by their outside centre to close the score to 8-6, then following some concerted attacking play the Hafod blindside flanker crossed for a well taken try which was converted by their outside centre to take a halftime lead into the break of 13-8.

Llan’s coaches reminded the boys that they were in a dogfight and needed to raise their game if they were to come away with the win in the second half, the players responded and regained the lead early into the second period through substitute wing Alex Davies who following a sweeping move ran hard to cross the whitewash with a few defenders in toe, which was converted by Kyle Sterry to lead 15-13. 

The remainder of the game was well contested with Llan having slightly the upper hand which led to a further three penalty goals by Kyle Sterry now playing in his accustomed outside half role for a final score and hard fought home win of 24-13.

A win’s a win and sometimes you have to win ugly and grind out a victory against very determined opposition who will be in the mix come the business end of the season.

All at Llan wish Hafodyrynys a successful season and we look forward to the return fixture later in the year.

The coaches will now prepare the squad for their next home game in the WRU Bowl against West Mon this Saturday 15th September 2.30 K.O.