Fixture

Ystalyfera began the second half of the season away at Ammanford. Conditions were cloudy with a soft surface and no rain. The home side kicked off and a penalty from the first scrum put the ‘Fera on the attack. Players worked the ball well across the field and a good chance for the first Try was missed by running into the Ammanford defence. Ystalyfera continued to seek gaps in the home half, earning a penalty which outside half Gareth James rapped against a post and Ammanford cleared. From the resulting lineout ‘Fera were back on the attack only to drop the ball. Pressure remained however with the visiting pack showing their strength. The game continued in the same vein with Ystalyfera seeking openings in the Ammanford half of the field. The home side were defending admirably until the 20^th minute when the scrum half was yellow carded for a professional foul. Small mistakes were stopping the ‘Fera from capitalising on good play. The first attack by Ammanford into the visitor half resulted in a lineout on the ‘Fera try-line. The catch and drive was held up well but continued recycling of the ball gave Ammanford the first Try in the 30^th minute, centre Andrew Owens crossing over. Full back Rhodri Jones converted – score: 7 – 0. The game now settled in midfield, both sides competing eagerly for possession. In the 39^th minute the home side quickly passed the ball along their line and found a gap where winger Gareth Jones got the second Try. Rhodri Jones converted with an excellent kick from the touchline to leave a half time score of 14 – 0.

Ystalyfera began the second half with a purpose, having played virtually all the rugby in the first period. The match continued much like before with the ‘Fera searching for openings and Ammanford defending well. Pressure was now beginning to tell in the forwards and an Ammanford front row player was Sin-Binned. Attempting to break the deadlock up front, the ‘Fera pack pressed hard. This time consuming process eroded away the Ammanford front row and when a further home player was yellow carded the game passed into uncontested scrums. After the initial confusion this ensued, the ‘Fera backs were able to move the ball out to the wing where top Try scorer Luc Caines got his 10^th of the season in the 66^th minute. This was not converted score: 14 – 5. Ystalyfera having lost the initiative with uncontested scrums, the game became a scrappy affair where neither side could penetrate. In the 71^st minute the home side took advantage of an opportunity and run around a misplaced ‘Fera defence to get a third Try – score: 19 – 5. Ystalyfera kept on trying to gain something but final pressure in front of the home try-line bore no fruit.  Final score: 19 – 5.

 Ystalyfera undoubtedly played the better rugby, but Ammanford were more ‘street-wise’ and capitalised on the chances ‘Fera gave them. Familiar forward dominance by the ‘Fera pack was not turned into points and frustration took its toll. Penalty counts were 16 for Ystalyfera and 8 against;

1 high tackle, 1 in from side, 1 turning scrum, 1 crossing, 1 holding ball on floor, 1 verbal abuse,1 offside and 1 tackle without the ball.