Fixture

Brynamman RFC | 1st Team 13 - 34 Ystalyfera RFC | 1st Team
Benjamin Williams
1 Try
Steffan Castle
2 Conversion
1 Penalty
1 Try
Luc Caines
1 Try
Paul Anthony Davies
1 Try

Match Report
11 December 2018 / Team News

Brynamman 13 – 34 Ystalyfera

Ystalyfera travelled to Brynamman looking to regain the lead of Division One West Central, with a three match run of away wins in the League. The pitch was soft with no surface water, a slight breeze blowing from the South end behind the posts.

Brynamman kicked off with the wind advantage, ‘Fera outside half Gareth James making a useful line kick which was only narrowly missed by chasing winger Luc Caines. From the line out the Fera were awarded the first scrum, and a resulting first penalty after a good drive by the pack. Brynamman cleared the ball back to half way where Fera wing Bowdy Davies caught and fed the ball to full back Steffan Castle. A searching kick generated a forward tussle for possession, where Luc Caines in support was able to steal a chance and touch down in the corner for the first Try of the game in the 7th minute. Steffan Castle converted commendably from the touchline giving Ystalyfera a 7 – 0 lead. An immediate penalty from the restart moved play into the Ystalyfera 22. The ‘Fera forwards stole the ball in the line out, and after a 5m scrum ‘Fera scrum half Andy Jenkins cleared upfield. Brynamman launched an attack, running the ball into the top corner. A penalty allowed Brynamman scrum half Dafydd Jones to get the first home points in the 13th minute: score 3 – 7. Bolstered with confidence, Brynamman attempted to move the ball back into the visitors half, but the Ystalyfera defence kept their shape, Luc Caines coming close to an interception. The Ystalyfera pack was rucking hard to gain possession, giving away penalties, and things began to hot up between the both sets of forwards. After a scrum, Ystalyfera won a penalty and a long kick by Gareth James saw wing Bowdy Davies collect and race for the corner. Well supported by Steffan Castle a tidy pass inside allowed him to get the second Try in the 23rd minute: score 3 – 12. Ystalyfera were now maintaining some control of the game and were searching for gaps in the Brynamman defence. On the half hour, an attempted kick thru was charged down by the home side and Steffan Castle recovered the ball well, to return events back to the Brynamman half. A scrum allowed Ystalyfera to break away, Luc Caines being stopped close to the try-line. Ystalyfera were now fully on the attack winning a set of penalties, the contact up front increasing in intensity. A line out in the bottom corner earned an attacking scrum. Ystalyfera forwards attempting a push over the home try-line in the 38th minute saw the referee award a Penalty Try.  The score remained at 3 – 19 at half time.  

Following the restart, Ystalyfera were immediately awarded a penalty, which Steffan Castle kicked over increasing the lead to 3 – 22. This seemed to awaken Brynamman, and they smartly passed the ball from right to left when play continued, allowing Tomos Powell, son of former ‘Fera captain Wayne Powell, to run in the first Brynamman Try in the 43rd minute: score 8 – 22. This energised Brynamman and they attacked again. Play was now becoming quite open, both sides looking to move the ball and score Trys. With the fight for possession, the referee also had to work hard to retain some order. Following a 5m line out for Ystalyfera in the 58th minute, a run off the back saw flanker Ben Williams power over for an excellent 4th Bonus Try for the ‘Fera, Steffan Castle kicking over lifting the score to 8 – 29. Ystalyfera attacks were now having to be defended with some desperation by the Brynamman defence, with only brief chances coming their way. In the 74th minute, Ystalyfera passed along the line and penetrated into the top corner. Strong support by the forwards, commendable at this point in the game, saw lock Paul Davies force his way over for the fifth ‘Fera Try: score 8 – 34. From the restart Brynamman outside half Craig Jones took an opportunity to catch the Ystalyfera defence unawares and dart thru for the second Brynamman Try, leaving a final score of 13 – 34.

Pens For Ystalyfera:  10                Pens for Brynamman:  10

This was a well contested game between old adversaries played in imperfect conditions. The ‘fire’ was there in both sides, and Ystalyfera proved to be deserving on the day. 34 points is the most Ystalyfera have ever scored in Brynamman, achieved once before in a 34-25 win in 2000-01, the only other 30+ score being a 31-9 win for Ystalyfera in 1984-85. On both these occasions Brynamman were relegated, this being unlikely this time around. This game was also the 100 appearance for Ystalyfera player Josh Jarrett – well done.

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