Fixture

First league game at Ynysydarren and unexpectedly but not surprisingly, the rain was with us. Both sides contained a number of changes from last season and were hoping to get off with a confident start. Ammanford kicked off from the Swansea end and the ‘Fera forwards began with an aggressive defence. Attempting to affect some pressure, the first penalty for offside was awarded against the home side in the 3^rd minute. Full back James Owen narrowly missing. 3 minutes later another penalty was given for pulling a player without the ball – getting a SinBin for ‘Fera lock Paul Davies. This was converted by James Owen : 0 – 3. Playing in the same vein Ammanford got a 2^nd penalty for offside in the 9^th minute : 0 – 6. Ystalyfera then made their first attack, working the ball out from a well taken lineout, centre Matthew Scott made a measured pass to full back Steffan Castle who had entered the line, he in turn beat his tackler to pass a good ball to wing Josh Jarrett, running in the first Try and his second in two games. Outside half Gareth James converted for Ystalyfera to take the lead : 7 – 6. The rain increased and both sides struggled to hold the ball. A series of scrums developed and the ‘Fera pack, now back to full strength, began to prove themselves. In the 22^nd minute another offside penalty kicked by James Owen put the visitors back in the lead : 7 – 9. A return kick by Gareth James from the restart setting ‘Fera into the Ammanford 22. The home forwards were now putting in the work and from a catch and drive another ‘Jamesy’ penalty made it : 10 – 9. Ammanford were now getting desperate to keep out the relentless pressure by the ‘Fera forward assault. In the 35^th minute another home penalty lifted the score to : 13 – 9. At the end of the first period Ammanford lifted the pace, their wing nearly breaking clear, only to fall in the slippery conditions. The home backs defended admirably, and a final set of scrums close to the ‘Fera tryline did not offer any joy to the visitors.   

An immediate lineout from the restart allowed the ‘Fera forwards to build their game in the visitors 22. Scrums and lineouts ensued and Ammanford had to defend as if their lives depended on it. Attempts to break out were thwarted by the Ystalyfera side, who kept their grip tight on the game. In the 44^th minute prop Jonathan Williams gathered the ball in the middle of a lineout and powered over for the ‘Fera second Try, and his personal 100 points for the club in 203 games. Not bad for a front row forward. Gareth James just missed the conversion: 18 – 9. The game returned quickly to the Ammanford half, the visitors now reverting to long kicks and a degree of rough tackling to attempt a change. A lineout on the home 5 metre line lead to a strong Ammanford attack, which was cleared, another offside penalty keeping events in the ‘Fera 22. Ystalyfera were not giving anything away however, and the dominance by the home team was most apparent. A penalty for holding the ball on the floor was converted by Gareth James raising the lead to : 21 – 9. This seemed to spur Ammanford and a forward lunge locked the game in the home 22. Ystalyfera defended with commendable self control with scrum after scrum close to their tryline. In the 79^th minute Ammanford forward Dylan Cooper got the elusive Try. This was converted well by James Owen : 21 – 16. The match resumed in the Ammanford half, and the ‘Fera were not going to give up, Gareth James just missing a penalty in the 85^th minute. Final score was : 21 – 16.

In the poor weather conditions, which constantly worsened, both sides played a very entertaining and good game. Ammanford disappointed themselves but Ystalyfera certainly did not. Fielding a relatively young side, the ‘Fera looked sharp, showing potential for a good season ahead.

Penalty count was;

8 committed by Ammanford and 11 by Ystalyfera.

‘Fera breakdown was 3 for holding ball/player, 3 scrum errors, and 5 offside.