Fixture

Ystalyfera RFC | 1st Team 47 - 33 Kenfig Hill RFC | 1st Team
Steffan Castle
Conversion 6
Steffan Rhys Jones
Try 2
Martyn Davies
Try 1
Luc Caines
Try 1
Bowdy Davies
Try 2

Match Report
23 April 2018 / Team News

Ystalyfera 47 –33 Kenfig Hill

On a dry, warm summer afternoon, with only a slight breeze from the East, Ystalyfera played their home league fixture versus Kenfig Hill at Ynysydarren. Matches against the ‘Mulers’ have always been high scoring affairs, with both sides seeking to score Try’s, and this game did not disappoint.

The ‘Fera kicked off from the North end into the sunshine, getting the first penalty, back 10 yards and the first scrum. Sustaining the attack earned a 5m line out, catch and drive, and when the ball was released a further penalty awarded. Continued pressure with a 5m scrum, the Ystalyfera pack forced their way over the Try-line, No8 and Captain Steffan Jones opening the scoring after five minutes: 5 – 0. Kenfig Hill reacted immediately to this early setback, and from the restart penetrated deeply with a long kick. The Ystalyfera defence could only counter by giving away line out in the home 22. An immediate penalty allowed Kenfig Hill to opt for a 5m line out in the Garage corner. This they took well, and a neat pass to the blind side winger Tom Davies, provided the visitors an equaliser in the 10th minute. Play moved into the ‘Mulers’ half, and Ystalyfera began to assert some control with good ball movement across the field. Steady advancement between forwards and backs powered Ystalyfera over the visitors Try-line, but appeals for a score were ignored by the referee, the ‘Fera being awarded a 5m scrum instead. The home forwards were not to be denied, and a powerfull drive saw Steffan Jones get his second push over Try in the 19th minute. This was converted by outside half Steffan Castle, score: 12 – 5. Playing in the ascendancy, Ystalyfera returned onto the attack from the restart, and frustration on Kenfig’s part saw their scrum half yellow carded by the referee. Taking advantage of the extra man, Ystalyfera pressed in the visitor 22. A forward surge was held up on the ‘Muler’ tryline, and playing the ball out flanker Callum Papp was supported by prop Jonathan Williams who hurled himself over for the third Try in the 28th minute. This was again converted by Steffan Castle lifting the lead to 19 – 5. Kenfig Hill were not deterred however, and receiving the restart moved play back up to the Garage corner. Working hard to generate an opening, Kenfig Hill got three penalties in succession, keeping momentum with their forwards with scrums and lineouts. The Ystalyfera defence stood true, and after a break out a long line kick by Steffan Castle moved play into the visitors half. With events now moving quickly the Kenfig Hill backs in their turn, charged back upfield with the ball. Players were now well strung out for both teams, and when Ystalyfera winger Luc Caines made a long pass hoping to advance forwards, Kenfig Hill winger Lewis Morgan intercepted and run in the first visitors Try in the 40+3 minute. This was converted by outside half Tameron Hall, leaving a half time score of 19 – 12 to Ystalyfera.   .

The second half started with Kenfig Hill having to call for passive scrums. The Kenfig kick off was returned and they knocked on. Ystalyfera moved the ball with an attacking drive up the centre of the field, and Kenfig Hill were hard pressed to cover the gaps. In the 44th minute, Ystalyfera replacement centre Martyn Davies crossed over for the 4th bonus Try. Steffan Castle converted score: 24 – 12. With play kept quite open by both sides, Kenfig Hill returned to the attack and set themselves up in the changing room corner. Attempts at catch and drive however could not be supported by positive scrum’s, and from a turnover and quick break an attempted kick and chase by Steffan Castle rolled over the Kenfig Hill dead ball line. Receiving the drop out Ystalyfera moved the ball well, and in the 60th minute top Try scorer Luc Caines run in the 5th ‘Fera Try. Again converted with an excellent long kick by Steffan Castle, the lead lifted to 33 – 12. The continued efforts and the warm conditions must now have been beginning to tell on the players of both sides. Nobody was giving up however and immediately from the restart the ball was kicked long downfield to ‘Fera winger Bowdy Davies. He collected and sped off like a train straight thru the visitors cover, and ran all the way upfield for the 6th Try. Converted the score after 64 minutes was 40 – 12. With a feeling of “déjà vu” Kenfig Hill restarted again - straight to Bowdy Davies, and again he raced thru, this second time seemingly faster, to score again under the posts. A thank you from Steffan Castle lifted the score to 47 – 12 in the 68th minute. With nobody expecting any more such excitement in this already action packed encounter, Kenfig Hill decided to add a little of their own, in the search of a four Try bonus point of their own. Ystalyfera dropped the ball after some enterprise passing in midfield, and Kenfig took advantage and ran in their third Try in the 73rd minute. This converted - score: 47 – 19, immediately from the restart, the visitors drove up the middle of the field and gained the bonus Try with great determination. This was also converted: score 47 – 26. With some “déjà vu” of their own, The ‘Mulers’ did the same thing again in the 80th minute, leaving an exhausting final score of 47 – 33 to Ystalyfera.

Both sides played this game with the intent to score Try’s, and they certainly delivered with twelve in total. Bonus points for both sides left Ystalyfera on track for possible glory at the end of this long campaign. Whatever finally occurs the boys have given their best, and all the supporters are proud of them for the excellent rugby they have shown this season.

The penalty counts were;

9 for Ystalyfera – 1 High tackle, 3 in scrum, 1 illegal hands on the ball, 2 offside and 2 10yds.

8 for Kenfig Hill– 2 offside, 4 holding ball on floor, 1 in the lines out and 1 deliberate knock on.

 

Players Fixture player info not published.
Gallery

There doesn't appear to be any tagged photos.

Upload and Tag Photos