Fixture

Ystalyfera RFC | 1st Team 24 - 21 Maesteg RFC | 1st Team
Steffan Castle
Conversion 1
Penalty 1
Gareth James
Penalty 3
Nathan Cornelius
Try 2
Laurance Kelvin Howley
1 Conversion
3 Penalty
Rhys Costain
2 Try

Match Report
20 September 2016 / Team News

Ystalyfera 24 - 21 Maesteg

Ynysydarren was in bright sunshine with a slight breeze, when visitors Maesteg kicked off with the sun on their backs. Proceedings began with a set of scrums, pushing the game into the home 22. In the 5th minute a penalty was awarded in front of the posts for holding a tackled player, and Maesteg outside half Lawrence Howley converted: score 0 – 3. Using the bright sunlight, the visitors soon took the play up into the ‘garage’ corner. Ystalyfera played a good defensive scrum and kick however, moving events into the visitors half for the first time. The large crowd in attendance was making plenty of noise, outside half Gareth James kicking a return penalty in the 13th minute: score 3 – 3. Maesteg continued to intelligently kick for territory, while the ‘Fera forwards began to warm up and control the scrums. In the 18th minute, flanker Ryan Evans was yellow carded for foul play in a maul, and Howley restored the lead 3 – 6. Ystalyfera then launched an attack, but a miss-pass allowed Maesteg backs to capitalise and centre Rhys Costain run in a try in the 21st minute, this was not converted: score 3 – 11. Ystalyfera picked up their game and pressure exerted in the changing room corner. The ‘Fera were now full on the attack, seeking to redeem affairs. A 5m scrum, then a lineout was defended illegally by the visitors, Gareth James kicking his second penalty 6 – 11 on 27 minutes. A drive by the ‘Fera forwards after the restart was stopped by a penalty awarded to Maesteg, moving play into the ‘Fera half. Another penalty for offside was converted by Maesteg in the 36th minute 6 – 14. Three minutes later and Gareth James kicked his third 9 – 14, only for the Maesteg centre to run in his second try in the 42nd minute, after some fast passing along the visitors’ back-line. This was converted leaving the half time score 9 – 21.

Maesteg began the second half with greater determination, Ystalyfera breaking out of defence to move game onto the half-way line. A midfield contest now developed, substitutes being used to keep up the pace. An excellent catch and short kick by full back Steffan Castle, began an advance where a Maesteg player took a swing at ‘Fera captain Steffan Jones, getting himself a stay in the SinBin. Things were now hotting up, like the weather, attacks by the ‘Fera being greatly encouraged by the home crowd. In the 50th minute a quick ‘dash’ by substitute scrum half Nathan Corneilius, saw his own and Ystalyfera’s first try: score 14 – 21. Whilst both linesmen raised their flags, the referee decided the conversion was not successful. The ‘Fera were now in full swing and Maesteg were looking jaded. Pressure saw a 22m drop out clear off the field, keeping the home side on the attack. In the 58th minute Steffan Castle added another penalty, a further visiting player earning a yellow card: score 17 – 21. Maesteg now sought to contain play in midfield, but in the 65th minute the ‘Fera broke free and Nathan Corneilius scored a further try, this commendably kicked over by Steffan Castle lifting the score to 24 – 21. Maesteg attempted to keep play in the home half with long kicks, but the Ystalyfera full back was having none of that. The match remained in the Maesteg 22 and repeated mistakes were prevalent in keeping affairs at Ystalyfera’s advantage.    

Both sides used the bright sunlight to a degree, the dogged determination and relentless fight back by Ystalyfera, resulting in a well deserved win. Maesteg starting with confidence and expectancy were well beaten at the end.

Penalty count was 14 for Ystalyfera, with 7 against;

          2 for holding the ball, 2 in scrum, 1 line out, 1 for holding player and 1 for offside.

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