Fixture

The first meeting this season between Ystalyfera and long time West Wales rivals Seven Sisters, took place up at Maes Dafydd. The field was in good condition with no rain or wind to worry about. A well numbered crowd saw Ystalyfera kick off toward the Swansea end. The ball was quickly returned and ‘Fera full back Steffan Castle made an excellent line clearance. The first scrum was well won by the visiting pack, and a positive attack came close only for Seven Sisters’ Dan Norton to raise his leg illegally. This brought him a yellow card and the penalty was converted by Outside Half Gareth James in the 6^th minute: 0 – 3. Immediately into the restart and Seven Sisters gained a penalty chance which was just missed. Ystalyfera were making penetrative attacks and Seven Sisters were forced to complete defensive line kicks to keep them out. In the 13^th minute Gareth James was able to kick over a second penalty lifting the score to 0 – 6. The home side then worked the ball into their first attack into the Ystalyfera half, only to drop the ball. A resultant 5 metre scrum was well cleared by the visiting backs. Dan Norton, now back in the game, kicked a well taken penalty in the 22^nd minute: 3 – 6. This seemed to motivate the ‘Fera and a strong advance after a clean line out brought pressure beneath the Seven posts. Scrum half Nathan Cornelius came close and Captain/No8 Steffan Jones crossed over for the first Try in the 26^th minute. This was converted by Gareth James: score 3 – 13. Seven Sisters now seemed in disarray - 3 minutes later a quick attack saw winger Josh Jarrett take a chance and break thru for another Try: score 3 – 18. As soon as the game restarted Ystalyfera appeared to switch off and Dan Norton was able to break thru the middle to get the first home Try. This he also converted: score 10 – 18. The remainder of the first half saw further attempts by Ystalyfera to find gaps in the home defence. Wing and top Try scorer Luc Caines sustained a severe leg injury and was substituted by Emyr Myers.   

As the teams came out for the second half so did the sunshine. Seven Sisters began to look for position with deep searching kicks. Playing with more purpose the home side were making the Ystalyfera defence work a lot harder. Unfortunately a Seven Sisters centre was yellow carded for a high tackle and the game certainly began to raise in tempo and aggression. An excellent line kick by Gareth James put the ‘Fera into the home 22 – a second yellow card given by the referee against Seven Sisters. With a two man advantage, Ystalyfera needed to run the ball effectively but instead Seven broke through, ‘Fera centre Martin Davies in turn being yellow carded for a dangerous tackle. A forward contest in the visitor 22 now ensued and the Seven Sisters pack pushed thru to score their second Try in the 56^th minute, being converted: score 17 – 18. The home supporters were now up for it along with their side, and five minutes from the restart a Gareth James clearance kick was charged down, Seven Sisters getting another Try and the lead for the first time. This was not converted: score 22 – 18. Ystalyfera had work to do and they responded. Another high tackle saw a second yellow and red card awarded against Seven Sisters. This seemed to enrage the home officials and supporters, the next tackle earning a yellow card for retaliation against ‘Fera flanker Ryan Evans. With player numbers diminishing the game began to lose some shape, and an end to end tussle for possession of the ball developed. Seven Sisters were having to defend their slim lead and a further player was red carded for not leaving the field when requested by the referee. Ystalyfera forwards battled hard pressing their advantage and after a catch and drive from a line out, lock Cameron Miguel surged over for his first Try for the club in the last minute of the game. Gareth James converted leaving a final score of 22 – 25 to Ystalyfera.

Penalty counts were 11 for Ystalyfera and 10 against;
4 offside, 2 scrum offences, 1 in from the side, 1 not 10yds, 1 dangerous tackle and 1 retaliation