Fixture

Ystalyfera travelled to ‘South Parade’, home of Maesteg Harlequins, to play our first Division One West Central fixture of the season. Being top of the Table with a 100% record to date, the Quins were favourites. The pitch was soft and conditions cloudy with no wind or rain.  .

Maesteg Quins kicked off towards the ‘Town’ end, and attempted an immediate breakthrough, the ‘Fera outside half Steffan Castle clearing the ball off the field. Collecting off the line out, the Quins backs inter-passed quickly and surged to the left hand corner. Supported by the back row forwards, continued close passing allowed Maesteg flanker Lewis Tutt to cross over the line and open the scoring. Outside half Rhodri Davies giving a 4^th minute 7 – 0 lead. After the re-start the first scrum saw Ystalyfera win the put in against the ‘head’. A penalty took the ‘Fera into the home 22, and a Quins break thru the line saw Ystalyfera defend well. The contest settled in midfield, both sides looking for gaps in their opponents defence. Maesteg were then awarded a series of penalties for what appeared to be some over exuberance on the part of Ystalyfera, Rhodri Davies not managing to convert into further points. The Quins utilised their backs effectively and appeared to build their effort, ‘Fera busy in keeping them out. Ystalyfera forwards then had a passage of play, their strength in the scrum being apparent. The sun now began to shine and Steffan Castle caught a shiner from a big hit. In the 35^th minute, after a midfield scrum, the Maesteg scrum half Ben Davies run closely past the referee into space. Neat inter-passing allowed him to burst thru and score the second Try: 12 – 0. Ystalyfera ran the ball out the line from the re-start, but bad handling gave Maesteg a scrum. A penalty in the 40^th minute allowed Rhodri Davies to increase the lead to 15 – 0. The first half ended with an Ystalyfera attack giving the ball away with a poor kick.

‘Fera started the second half and full back Bowdy Davies raced into the home defence setting play up. The visitors were full of intent and Maesteg were forced to use the boot and clear their lines. Attacking from a line out earned Ystalyfera a penalty, and Steffan Castle converted in the 43^rd minute: score 15 – 3. A period of searching kicks from both sides ended with a further late tackle on Steffan Castle, a resultant fracas giving the referee no option but to yellow card one from each side. The competition for possession of the ball was now most intense, no quarter being given by either side. With a drop in concentration the game became a more ‘loose’ affair, with risky kicks and passes by both sides. A spell of play in the Ystalyfera half saw a second penalty for Rhodri Davies in the 65^th minute: score 18 – 3. Ystalyfera scrums were most competitive despite a man short at this point, Maesteg Quins being content to kick the corners and retain their lead. A failed penalty kick to touch in the 74^th minute allowed the Quins to complete a long diagonal punt which allowed prop Dean Ronan, out on the wing to run in the third Try. This was well converted lifting the score to 25 – 3. Ystalyfera were not giving up however, and whilst the home supporters wanted the bonus Try, the ‘Fera were on the attack. A powerful set of scrums on the home 5m line produced a number of penalties, and the effort was rewarded with a penalty Try in the last minute of the game, leaving a final score of 25 – 10 to Maesteg Quins.  

The home team and their supporters were fully conscious of the importance of this result, Ystalyfera being the only opponents who could meaningfully prevent them get the League Title. In the end a fair result was the outcome between the sides on the day. The return fixture is at Ynysydarren on the 12^th May.

The penalty counts were;

16 for Ystalyfera – 2 not releasing player, 7 in scrum, 2 illegal hands on the ball, 3 offside, 1 over the top and 1 not 10yds.

9 for Maesteg Quins – 1 offside, 2 not releasing player, 3 in the scrum, 1 late tackle, 1 foot up and 1 verbal abuse.