Fixture

The “Water Wheelers” Tondu visited Ynysydarren in sunshine and showers, with a slight wind from the West. The visitors kicked off from the School end facing Swansea, and outside half Gareth James cleared the Ystalyfera lines with a long kick. Tondu continued to attack and won the first penalty, which was missed. A neat chip and chase was carried out by the visiting outside half Paul Smithson but ‘Fera scrum half Nathan Cornielius fielded well and took play into the Tondu half for the first time. Ystalyfera moved the ball across the field with good passing and supporting flanker Ryan (the Rhino) James crossed for his first Try for the club in the 6^th minute. This was converted by Gareth James :score 7 – 0. From the restart a failure to  take possession of the ball by Ystalyfera, allowed Tondu full back Aled Jones to break thru and score a return Try in the 8^th minute. This was not converted :score 7 – 5. The game continued at a fast pace with both sides attempting to move the ball quickly. From a line out infringement Ystalyfera took  the contest into the School corner and a set of scrums and penalties kept the pressure on. After switching the ball along the line winger Luc Caines ran in the second ‘Fera Try in the Garage corner in the 16^th minute :score 12 – 5. Tondu remained interested and they missed another penalty attempt in the 19^th minute. Ystalyfera worked the ball out of their 22 earning a penalty of their own 2 minutes later. Prolific kicker Gareth James obliged :score 15 – 5. The match revolved in midfield until a dubious linemans’ decision took play into the home 22. From a scrum in the 33^rd minute, Tondu backs ran at speed and passed the ball out to wing A Farmer Jones. He crossed over for a well taken Try, converted by Centre Josh Tatchell :score 15 – 12. Ystalyfera now seemed to have lost cohesion and Tondu missed a few chances to increase their score. In the end Ystalyfera closed the first half with another penalty kick from Gareth James :score 18 – 12.  

Ystalyfera restarted on the attack and pressed immediately into the Changing Room corner. From a line out ‘Rhino’ James drove thru at an angle getting his second Try, Gareth James again converted :score 25 – 12. Tondu were not deterred and built up play in the home half of the field. The ‘Fera defence looked strong however, and both teams sought to find gaps by moving across the field. As before, another move from a scrum in the ‘Fera half allowed Tondu to score their third Try in the 49^th minute, this converted by Tatchell lifting the score to 25 – 19. Almost immediately after the restart the Tondu outside half Paul Smithson made an interception and ran in the fourth Bonus point Try in the 52^nd minute. This was also converted by Tatchell giving Tondu the lead for the first time :score 25 – 26. Ystalyfera forwards now raised their game and made aggressive attacks toward the Tondu defence. In the 60^th minute a third penalty was put over by Gareth James and the ‘Fera regained the lead 28 – 26. Ystalyfera continued to attack and the visitors responded admirably. Both sides were now fighting hard to gain possession with play oscillating up and down the field. Eventual pressure on the Tondu tryline in added on time got ‘Fera a penalty. Gareth James converted his 4^th of the game, bringing the match to an end at 31 – 26.

An excellent performance by two good adversaries, managed well by referee Kelvin Shorte from Cardiff, gave supporters from both teams an entertaining game of rugby. Either side could have won, the final advantage going to the home side.

Ystalyfera gave away 9 penalties:

4 for holding the ball on floor, 3 for offside, 1 for over the top and 1 coming in on wrong side.

Tondu gave away 12 penalties;

4 scrum offences, 4 offside, 3 holding the ball on floor and 1 line out offence.