ALBAN JENKINS SHIELD MATCH

LLANDYBIE 19 GRANGEMOUTH 19

Llandybie welcomed their Scottish friends from Grangemouth to again compete for the Alban Jenkins Memorial Shield, first contested 65 years ago.

The visitors caught the home side unawares with their energy from the start and scored a try in the first three minutes from David John Innes converted by Adam Worthington.

Llandybie were falling off tackles early on except for Ioan Rees, who was bringing down bigger opponents.

Llandybie restarted and went through a few phases gaining a scrum.

Scrum half Leighton Rees dummied the cover to gain twenty yards, handing to Ethan Walters in support, and although brought down prop Jordan Tommason was on hand to pick up and dive over.

Both sides were warming to the task entertaining the large crowd with TV cameras recording.

Grangemouth were offering runners either side of their flyhalf with Llandybie having to be on their toes covering the breaks.

From a home attack Grangemouth were penalised for not releasing and centre Chris Powell kicked the points.

Llandybie were now more competitive, with Nathaniel Butler making a sixty yard break down the left supported by winger Rhydian Jones. Grangemouth wandered offside and Powell kicked another penalty.

The visitors used their big forwards with good effect with their 6ft 6in prop on the charge brought down by 5ft 7 in Rees with a great tackle receiving a gashed eye for his trouble.

At half time it was Llandybie ahead 11 points to 7.

In the second period Butler continually tested the Scots with his abrasive carrying, ably assisted by Garin Criddle and Tim Williams whilst Tom Howell and Josh Watkins kept probing out on the flanks.

Eirian Williams, Steff Thomas and Rhys Cann tackled well for the home side. From a home attack Powell put a grubber kick through for full back Wayne Williams to touch down.

Grangemouth fought back with their centre making good runs and they scored a try out wide by Stewart Allan. Llandybie missed a penalty, but from a good Criddle break the visitors infringed again and Powell kicked the goal to put Llandybie ahead 19-12.

Grangemouth came on strong near the end with the home team giving away a number of penalties and scored again, with David Harvey going over for a try, converted by Worthington to tie the scores.

Powell almost won it for Llandybie with a penalty at the death, but it drifted just wide.

It had been a really entertaining full-on battle, with the draw a good result - although Grangemouth just sneaked it. Nathaniel Butler was outstanding for Llandybie with a high work rate all round the field.

The match was played in a good spirit and the draw ensured Grangemouth retained the shield.