Fixture

Ystalyfera entertained third placed Trebanos at Ynysydarren, the ground having soft surface conditions after recent rain. With only a slight breeze and some occasional sunshine, conditions would not greatly have any effect on the proceedings.

Trebanos kicked off down the valley towards the Swansea end, and immediate turnover ball at the first line out required a sharp immediate defence by the home side. Working the game up-field, Ystalyfera had a penalty opportunity after 5 minutes, where full back Dane Clancy was unfortunate. Keeping play in the Trebanos 22, repeated penalties for both sides bore no fruit until the 14^th minute, when Dane Clancy opened the scoring 3 – 0. ‘Fera positive play continued and 3 minutes later Dane doubled the score with a second penalty 6 – 0. Re-starting and Trebanos make their first meaningful attack into the home 22, this well defended by the home backs. The game continued with Trebanos struggling to get any momentum, Ystalyfera capitalising on their mistakes. In the 26^th minute Dane Clancy made a penetrating run into the away 22, and from a creditable catch and drive move by the ‘Fera forwards, Centre Lenny Woodard, on permit from Llandaff, forced his way through for the first Try of the match. This was converted by Dane Clancy bringing the score up to 13 – 0. This seemed to wake the visitors up and a commendable run downfield, saw an urgent chase of a long kick end with the ball racing over the dead ball line. Dane Clancy had to leave the field at this point and substitute Graham Jones entered a shuffled ‘Fera back line. Pressure was now on Ystalyfera and a Trebanos penalty by Mathew Edwards just missed an upright. End to end play saw a further attack by Ystalyfera take the game up to the ‘Garage’ corner. This was rewarded in the 39^th minute when No8 Steffan Jones, Ystalyfera’s leading forward try scorer, cross the line leaving the half time score 18 – 0.

Ystalyfera starting the second half gave away an immediate penalty which took them back to their 22. The competition between the forwards was now quite robust and the referee was left with no option but to yellow card both a Trebanos second row and ‘Fera hooker Daniel Williams. The game now began to settle in the middle of the field. Trebanos efforts to increase the pace and move the ball quickly did not materialise, Ystalyfera gradually set about applying more forward pressure, keeping events in the visitors half. A set of scrums and penalties kept play down in the ‘Changing room’ corner until Trebanos managed to break out. With 10 minutes remaining Daniel Williams earned his second Yellow card and had to leave the field. Disruption saw Trebanos take an opportunity and Tom Dew run in a Try which Mathew Edwards converted score 18 – 7. The game returned to the Trebanos 22 where another run by the visitor backs started end to end open play by both sides. Trebanos now made their biggest effort of the day but to no avail.

Game ended with a deserved Ystalyfera victory and disappointment for the visitors.