Fixture

A sunny evening with a cold wind at ‘Croft Goch’, saw Kenfig Hill take on Ystalyfera in a re-arranged fixture. The telling breeze blew down the slope as Ystalyfera kicked off. Both sides made early attempts to use the wind and find a good field position, the match settling in the home half. A wild swinging arm by a Kenfig forward gave the ‘Fera the first penalty, the second coming from an immediate scrum offence. Ystalyfera choose to keep play amongst the forwards and an effective drive for the line earns another penalty. From this scrum full back Steffan Castle joins the backline and darts over for the first try in the 9^th minute. Kenfig Hill come back hard at the restart and the contest settles in the ‘Fera half. Both sides attempt to dominate possession with play moving back and forth. The ‘mules’ effort to move the ball out to their back line pays off in the 23^rd minute, when winger Curtis Kerton runs into the corner for the first home try: score 5 – 5. Ystalyfera soon take the game back into the Kenfig half. Strong positive forward play begins to pay off and the home pack begins to struggle in the scrum. Substitute Adrian Lock replaces prop Dan White in the 26^th minute. From a line out, hooker Owen Phillips breaks through a line out and Ystalyfera set up shop in the Kenfig 22. Pressure upon pressure in repeated scrums takes a toll on the home side, hooker Lee Williams being yellow carded. Eventually Kenfig Hill break out, but good tackling wins the ball back and outside half Gareth James kicks the game back into the home 22. Ystalyfera forwards get back to their job and sequential scrums and penalties finally pay off when the referee awards a penalty try in the 33^rd minute. Steffan Castle converts: score 5 – 12. Kenfig Hill come back again after the restart, but the ‘Fera defence holds out well until half time..

Kenfig Hill start the second half and Ystalyfera immediately take the game into the Club corner. The home side make a clearance kick but Ystalyfera switch to the opposite side of the field and a charge down sees ‘Fera centre Mathew Scott score the third try: score 5 – 17. Kenfig Hill keep at it and a loose attack gets an attacking scrum on the ‘Fera 5m line. After a couple of penalties, the Kenfig outside half Lloyd Giles runs through a gap in the 49^th minute to score the second home try: score 10 – 17. The game now becomes more competitive, ‘Fera flanker Tom Lewis is substituted by Andy Llewellyn in the 52^nd minute. Kenfig Hill begin to pass the ball quickly out to their backs, away from the dominant ‘Fera pack. Ystalyfera backs now have to defend well and Gareth James puts in some deep kicks. Ystalyfera mistakes are now capitalised upon and both sides are having to give their best to retain worthwhile possession of the ball. In the 67^th minute Ystalyfera forwards make an attack with scrum and line out. Out of nowhere ‘Fera captain and No8 Steffan Jones runs thru lifting the ball and dashing over for the bonus Try: Gareth James converts: score 10 – 24. Ystalyfera continue to keep an open game but the home side are not finished yet. In the 72^nd minute, Kenfig Hill steal possession and run the greater length of the field to run in their third try by scrum half Tom Briggs their captain. Lloyd Giles converts: score 17 – 24. Three minutes later and Kenfig Hill break thru again, this time centre Shaun Burnell gets a bonus try with another conversion by Giles: score 24 – 24. The game restarts and Ystalyfera work their way into the Kenfig Hill half. Winning a scrum the ‘Fera pack hold the ball, the Kenfig back row run offside and the referee awards a penalty. In the 80+2 minute all time record scorer Gareth James kicks over well, giving the result to Ystalyfera 24 – 27.

For an end of season mid week game this contest, whilst starting at a mediocre pace, certainly grew into an exciting and entertaining climax. Ystalyfera were deserved winners in the end, their forward dominance being most noticeable. Kenfig Hill never gave up and deserved their two bonus points.

 Penalty counts were 13 for Ystalyfera and 9 against;

4 for holding the ball after a tackle, 3 in scrum, 1 for offside and 1 side entry.