Fixture

Thanks to the darker winter days, the first leg of the meeting of the Swansea Valley sides playing in the Championship this season was brought forward by half an hour. New side Ystalyfera were hosts at the Ynysydarren ground against Trebanos, they being promoted in 2017. In front of a large crowd, the game started with no wind or rain, the surface being sticky and soft.

The visitors began from the School end, a set of kicks by both sides leaving Trebanos in possession in their own half. The first scrum saw the first penalty for Trebanos, they setting up a line out in the Changing room corner. The opportunity was wasted giving away a scrum for not straight, Ystalyfera also being awarded a penalty, which outside half Taylor Phillips failed to kick off the field. Trebanos made a determined attack and winning a further penalty, gained the first score in the 7^th minute by wing Richard Brunton 0 – 3. Play had begun with numerous errors by both sides, Trebanos the better for it. The game restarted with the home forwards exerting a physical presence, whilst Trebanos attempted to move the ball. The referee reminding the Captains of Team discipline at this early point in the contest. Ystalyfera made their first attack and assisted by a penalty pressed up into the Garage corner. Pressure from the home side continued and a set of scrums and penalties severely tested the Trebanos pack. Eventually the referee was left with no option but to award Ystalyfera a penalty Try in the 25^th minute: score 7 – 3. Immediately after the restart, a knock on by ‘Fera lock Paul Davies was quickly picked up by Trebanos prop Dylan Worth. Bustling free, he was missed by his opposite number Gareth Jones and raced forward to crash over for the first Trebanos Try in the 27^th minute. The conversion was missed and the score stood at 7 – 8. This restart was knocked on by Trebanos and Ystalyfera were able to return into the Garage corner. This occasion saw a penalty awarded to the home side which Steffan Castle narrowly missed. Ystalyfera prop Robat White was forced to leave at this point, being replaced by Scott Meakins. Play continued in the Trebanos half with the ‘Fera backs working hard to edge a gap in the visitors defence. Trebanos stood firm however and no further change to the score occurred.

Taylor Phillips kicked off the second period and Ystalyfera won a penalty straight away. This was within the range of Steffan Castle and ‘Fera regained the lead in the 42^nd minute 10 – 8. Trebanos attacked from the restart moving the ball at greater speed. Ystalyfera Captain Ryan Lee James had to leave the field with Bowdy Davies joining Jonathan Bayliss in the centre. Substitute Ben William-Jones came on the wing. A penalty by Trebanos was fielded well by Full Back Steffan Castle and a deep return kick was unfortunate to go dead. In the 50^th minute, Trebanos won a penalty from a scrum and Richard Brunton restored the lead back to the visitors 10 – 11. The ‘Fera forwards went back on the attack and a surge into the Changing Room corner saw some desperate defending by Trebanos. The pressure continued and both sides gave their all. As play progressed it became obvious that although their lead was ever so slim, the Trebanos players slowly gained the upper hand. Play rotated from corner to corner until the 63^rd minute when following a penalty kick for position and a neat catch and drive Trebanos got the second Try. This was well converted by Richard Brunton lifting the lead to 10 – 18. After the restart, Ystalyfera won a penalty and a long effort by Steffan Castle hit the post. This seemed to summarise the situation for Ystalyfera and their continuing effort appeared to diminish with the clock, whilst Trebanos seemed to get stronger until full time.   

Important as it was, this game was of course only one of many which will take place between the bottom six sides in the Championship. Everyone has to play each other at least once again, and a lot of points remain up for grabs before the end of this long season.

Penalty count was 7 for Ystalyfera and 11 for Trebanos.