Fixture

A murky, wet and raining Ynysydarren was the venue for the 3^Rd Round Welsh Plate tie between Ystalyfera and Division One East 2^nd place side Mountain Ash. The ‘Fera kicked off towards the Swansea end and initially both sides were forced to adjust and ‘find their feet’ in the slippery conditions. Good line kicks by Gareth James let the experienced Ystalyfera forwards apply themselves and in the 13^th minute a push over by the pack saw Captain and No8 Steffan Jones score his 57^th Try for the club. Outside Half Gareth James kicking the conversion – score: 7 – 0. An immediate penalty attempt by the visitors was missed and competition for the ball became very intense between both sets of forwards. The referee chose to yellow card ‘Fera flanker Jesse Patton in the 18^th minute. A return penalty was missed by Gareth James and from the restart a defence mistake by the visitors gave a scrum to the ‘Fera on the Mountain Ash 22m line. Quick ball delivery allowed speedy wing Luc Caines to run in a Try in the tunnel corner in the 22^nd minute. This was not converted – score: 12 – 0. The game continued with Mountain Ash attempting deep probing kicks, earning line outs in the Ystalyfera half. Conditions dictated more scrums however and the home pack was solid. Gareth James in return put in some short kicks keepng the game in midfield. An attack into the garage corner was then made by Mountain Ash, a tricky high ball being defended well by full back Steffan Castle. Pressure remained and a catch and drive broke out along the visitor line. A 5m scrum was driven back by the ‘Fera forwards and after a line out offence a home penalty took events into the visitor half. A scuffle then took place between forwards, penalty going to Mountain Ash. Ystalyfera forwards were now gaining some advantage, being awarded penalties by the referee. A line out in the changing room corner saw a stand off between prop Robat White and a visitor lock, both being yellow carded. Pressure remained in this corner till half time with no further score.   

Marcus Davies came on for Cameron Miguel and an error from the restart gave ‘Fera an immediate scrum. A quick chip and burst up field, helped by a fall by a defender allowed centre Matthew Scott to run in his 50^th Try for the club in the 41^st minute. This was converted by full back Steffan Castle – score 19 – 0. Immediately Ystalyfera attacked again moving the ball into open spaces, looking to catch the visitor’s cold, an offside mistake stopping the move. Mountain Ash had to sort them-selves out and they did this by increasing the pace of their game. A penalty was stopped close to the ‘Fera line by Luc Caines but the visiting linesman thought otherwise and a 5m attacking line out given. A catch and drive allowed visitor prop James Cowdrey score a 48 minute try. The conversion by Liam Jones hit a post and missed – score: 19 – 5. The match returned to competition in midfield between the forwards, Mountain Ash getting penalties and ‘Fera defending well. A break out in the 62^nd minute saw Ystalyfera get their 4^th Try and Luc Caines his 2^nd – score: 24 – 5. Mountain Ash were surely not giving up and a shuffle of their forwards lifted their fortune. The sheddies were now in full voice and the visitors certainly knew where they were. A hard contest was on in midfield and Mountain Ash were still getting the penalty decisions. The game ended up in the tunnel corner and Mountain Ash got a second Try in the 72^nd minute by outside half Kieron Olden. This was converted by wing Nathan Treharne – score: 24 – 12. The game continued into added on time and the visitors were now keeping good ball retention. This paid off in the 84^th minute when scrum half Ross Davies got their 3^rd Try, being converted well by Nathan Treharne – score: 24 – 19. The visitors attempted the same tactic from the restart but Ystalyfera had other ideas, stealing the ball from the forwards, a delivery to Gareth James saw an excellent line kick reach Luc Caines, he popped it inside to centre Jonathan Bayliss who crossed over for his first Try for the club. An outstanding touchline conversion by Steffan Castle saw a final 89^th minute score of 31 – 19 to Ystalyfera.        

Well done boys – lets hope for a good draw in the last 16.