This was a tough baptism for us in Division 1 East Central, against a determined Porth Harlequins side.
Llanharan played up the slope in the first half and for the first 10 minutes caused Porth problems. A 30 yard driving maul got Llanharan to the Porth 22, where from a line out Scott Jones did a switch move with Jack Brooks, who cut a great angle to score under the posts for Scott to convert. Mitch Jones was injured and was replaced by Lewis Cogbill, who went to scrum half with Leon Burton switching to full back. The next try came from a blindside move from a scrum, which ended with new boy Jacob Williams powering up the touchline to score under the posts, for Scott Jones to convert. Any thoughts of a big score for the home side were soon put to bed with Porth attacking and deservedly getting a try, conversion and penalty.
Half Time score
Llanharan 14 Porth Quins 10
Newcomer Louis Jarvis replaced Louis Stansbury at the start of the second half. Llanharan, now playing down the slope, had a bit of luck with their next try when some poor passing left the ball in the hands of Leon Burton with line at his mercy. Making no mistake he scored under the posts for Scott Jones to convert. Porth fought back strongly putting the Llanharan line under pressure, they were rewarded with a try in the corner, which went unconverted. Porth were now showing how strong this Division is going to be for us by scoring another try under the posts, which was converted. Porth now led 21-22 with barely 10 minutes left, when up stepped Mr Reliable Scott Jones to kick 2 penalties to win Llanharan the game.
Final Score
Lanharan 27 Porth Quins 22.
This game was a wake up call, if we needed one, about how tough this League is going to be. Porth fought hard all game and probably threw some tries away when they had overlaps out wide. As usual though the boys fought to the end to make sure we start the season with a win. Get ready for a rollercoaster of a season in a tough league.
Keiran Martin was a well deserved Player of the Match for Llanharan.
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