Fixture

Ystalyfera RFC | 1st Team 57 - 17 Tondu RFC | 1st Team
Gareth James
Try 1
Steffan Castle
Conversion 6
Steffan Rhys Jones
Try 2
Jonathan Bayliss
Try 1
Luc Caines
Try 2
Bowdy Davies
Try 2
Zachary James Beynon
Try 1
Aled Jones
1 Try
Joshua Tatchell
2 Conversion
1 Penalty
Jack Riggs
1 Try

Match Report
17 September 2018 / Team News

Ystalyfera 57 – 17 Tondu

Tondu RFC came to Ynysydarren for the second Ystalyfera home league fixture of the season. .The conditions were dry with a slight wind from the south.

The ‘Fera kicked off  towards the Swansea end, quickly winning the ball. A drive by the forwards allowed flanker Ben Williams to penetrate, only to be denied by an ankle tap 5m out. The first scrum saw a ‘Fera push but Tondu broke out. A resulting searching kick was fielded well by the back line, full back Steffan Castle and wing Luc Caines running the ball from deep. A smart kick then allowed wing Bowdy Davies to speed behind the Tondu defence and score the first Try in the 3rd minute. From the restart Ystalyfera tried to run the ball again, but the advantage was lost with a dropped pass. Tondu then made their first attack, setting up the first line-out in the home 22. ‘Fera outside half Gareth James cleared downfield, but Tondu restarted quickly, and passing at pace along their backs saw full back Aled R Jones run in their first Try to equalise the score. Centre Josh Tachell converted in the 8th minute putting Tondu in the lead 5 – 7. The match now settled in midfield, until Tondu made a long searching kick. In the line-out Ystalyfera gave away a penalty, and the visitors set up a 5m line-out in the school corner. A resulting catch and drive was defended admirably by the home pack, but when released Ystalyfera gave away a penalty for offside. In the 17th minute Tachall kicked over extending the Tondu lead to 5 – 10. The ‘Fera attacked from the restart, Steffan Castle racing up the centre of the field. Ben Williams was again denied, the visitors getting a scrum. Play remained in the Tondu half however, and the next line-out provided Ystalyfera with a penalty. A 5m line-out ensued in the changing room corner. Lock Paul Davies made a good take and from the catch and drive the ball was released to the backs. A further penalty was given away by Tondu and a resulting scrum in centre field was pushed over for Captain and No8 Steffan Jones to get his first Try. This was converted by Steffan Castle in the 25th minute leaving the score 12 – 10. Ystalyfera kept the pressure on, now moving the ball to and fro across the field. Play was quite open at this point and the ‘Fera paid the price. Tondu gained possession and with gaps in the home defence ran in their second try in the 29th minute. Tachell converted again returning the lead to the visitors 12 – 17. The sun now came out for a spell and the pace of the game remained hot. Notably, whilst still in the first half, the Ystalyfera scrums had become most dominant. Penalties given by Tondu allowed Ystalyfera to set up again in the Changing room corner. The ‘Fera forwards took control and in the 33rd minute Steffan Jones got his second push over Try. A further Castle conversion put the lead back to the home side 19 – 17. Not wanting to ease up, Ystalyfera continued to pressure the visitors. Tondu were forced to kick off-field and Ystalyfera came back. In the 40th minute, smart passing by centre Martyn Davies saw him slip the ball to winger Luc Caines. He raced thru the disorganised Tondu defenders to score the fourth bonus Try. This was again converted by Steffan Castle leaving a half time score of 26 – 17 to Ystalyfera.   

Having witnessed a total power display by both the forwards in their total dominance of the scrum, and the persistence of the backs to break thru their Tondu opponents in the second period of the first half, the ‘Fera supporters would have been most presumptuous to expect the same in the remainder of the game. However the ‘Fera players would not be denied. From the kick off events continued as before with no let off. In the 52nd, 65th, 72nd, 75th and 77th minutes, Trys were scored by Bowdy Davies, Gareth James, Jonathan Bayliss, Luc Caines and substitute Zac Beynon. Tondu attempted to use their substitutes, move positions and were forced to invoke passive scrums, but it made no difference. The pace of the game was fast, and Tondu never gave up. They continued to do  their best to the end, but Ystalyfera were relentless. There was no animosity between the sides, and this was reflected in the low number of penalties awarded by the referee, who had an excellent match;

Pens For Ystalyfera  7                    Pens for Tondu:  5

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