Fixture

The first game of the official second half of the season saw Ystalyfera entertain Ammanford at Ynysydarren. Conditions were murky with a wet sticky pitch following heavy rain.

Ammanford kicked off towards the Swansea end, and contested immediately to gain the ball, earning an early penalty attempt which was missed. The visitors continued to attack and the ‘Fera defence reacted well. Launching their first attack in the 5^th minute, Ystalyfera quickly moved the ball out to winger Josh Jarrett who darted over for the first Try – score: 5 – 0. Back on the attack after the restart, the game moved to the ‘Garage’ corner. From a line out the ‘Fera pack carried the ball over the visitor try-line and the referee awarded a penalty Try in the 12^th minute – score: 12 – 0. Ystalyfera were hungry for more and a set of midfield scrums ended with a penalty for Ammanford. The kick for touch fell short however and Ystalyfera took the opportunity to attack again. An attempted defensive line kick was collected by ‘Fera wing Luc Caines who broke back into the Ammanford half. The game was being controlled by the home side and eventually Ammanford broke out into the ‘Chaning room’ corner. The visitors made a positive attempt to move the ball across the centre but the Ystalyfera defence stood true, an eventual penalty attempt being missed by Ammanford at the end of the first half.

Ystalyfera started the second period with great impetus, seeking to extend their lead. Centre Ryan Lee James collected a short Ammenford clearance kick and began a relentless attack by the ‘Fera, looking for gaps across both sides of the field. A 50^th minute 5m scrum in front of the scoreboard saw a full on drive over the Ammanford line, where scrum half Andrew ‘Shenko’ Jenkins touched down for his first Try for the club, right between his captain’s legs – score: 17 – 0. Ammanford to their credit were not giving up and their pack took the game to the home Try-line, but the solid Ystalyfera forwards were unrelenting. A break out saw Luc Caines speeding up the middle of the field, only for his pass to be dropped. Ystalyfera lifted their game seeking the fourth bonus Try. With vocal support from the home supporters, the pressure continued until in the 74^th minute, the effective penetration by the ‘Fera wingers in the center saw Luc Caines burst thru and touchdown. Full Back Steffan Castle converted lifting his total for the club to 199 points. Substitute Mathew Scott came on for his 200^th appearance for the club. After a set of scrums at the end, the commanding Ystalyfera pack allowed captain and No8 Steffan Jones to touch down the 5^th Try in the last minute of the game, leaving a final score of 29 – 0.   

The last game of 2017 was dominated by Ystalyfera. Although Ammanford did their hardest to compete, they could not prevent the positive approach demonstrated so effectively by the ‘Fera side. Being in control of all areas of the park, a home victory was well deserved and inevitable. The next League game is away at Tondu where the ‘Fera will have to be at their best, against a well structured and balanced team.

Penalty counts were;

8 for Ystalyfera – 4 scrum offences, 3 holding ball on floor and 1 deliberate knock-on.

13 for Ammanford – 2 in scrum. 3 holding ball, 6 offside, 1 over the top and 1 in from the side.