Fixture

Top of the table Ystalyfera were away at Ammanford for the 8^th League game of the season. The weather was cold and cloudy, a breeze blowing towards the clubhouse end.

The ‘Fera kicked off with the slight wind advantage, getting an immediate 1^st penalty. This was miss-kicked and Ammanford had the 1^st scrum. This was also illegal and allowed the first attack with Ystalyfera in the home 22. An attempt to play the ball out the line was stopped and Ammanford made a run into the ‘Fera half. A further two penalties set the home side up on the Ystalyfera 5m line, and a catch and drive gave the home side the first Try in the 8^th minute. This was not converted: score 5 – 0. Obviously buoyed up by this, Ammanford made further penetrating runs, being well defended by the Ystalyfera backs. ‘Fera wing Bowdy Davies made an impressive pick up and following line kick, and centre Andy Jenkins performed a commendable kick and chase from defence which release other wing Luc Caines, only for the referee to give a penalty for offside. Both sides had begun with a determined effort to gain possession and seek gaps in their opponents defences, the eagerness stopping any positive results with penalties and handling errors. The tussle for the ball was fierce between the forwards, the contact in the scrums generating a number of penalties from the referee. In the 34^th minute the break came when ‘Fera flanker Callum Papp, tearing thru the home defence going straight at the Ammanford try-line, set up the ball for Bowdy Davies to assist scrum half Zac Beynon to get the Try: score 5 – 5. ‘Fera were now full on and an attack from the restart saw a scrum on the Ammanford 5m line stopped for a penalty. Ystalyfera continued the momentum and further scrums, penalties and a yellow card for a home prop eventually tried the referee’s patience who awarded a penalty Try: score 5 – 12.

After a miss-kicked Ammanford start to the second period, the ball was run out the line from the centre spot scrum, centre Jonathan Bayliss pierced the home defence and he assisted the fast running wing Bowdy Davies to loop around the defence and score the third Ystalyfera Try in the 44^th minute. Full back Steffan Castle converted lifting the lead to 5 – 19. Despite starting to feel the pressure Ammanford were not giving up and they organised an attack of their own. The ‘Fera defence however was most resolute. Control of the ball was now paramount for both sides, another dose of penalties given by both teams. Ystalyfera won a line out in the Ammanford 22, and the forwards worked toward the home try-line. A high tackle on Andy Jenkins gave the ‘Fera a scrum under the Ammanford posts. Further scrums eventually gave Bowdy Davies a chance to attack and he provided the opportunity for opposite wing and leading Try scorer Luc Caines to dab down the bonus point Try in the 56^th minute. Steff Castle converted: score 5 – 26. Ammanford came back immediately, Ystalyfera stopping them on their 5m line. Keeping the aggression,  the conflict became heated up front and after further penalties, Ammanford got their second Try in the 60^th minute. Being converted the score drew closer at 12 – 26. Being boosted by the home support off the field, Ammanford now pulled out all the stops to redeem themselves. Ystalyfera were not giving anything up either, and the contest increased in intensity, despite nearing the end of proceedings. The third home Try came in the 77^th minute, this also converted closing the score to 19 – 26. Ystalyfera’s defence was now up against the wall, and the players stuck it out to end the game as eventual winners.

A tough, hard fought contest played out with total commitment by both teams. Ystalyfera were the winners showing their durability and determination to force a deserved win.

Pens For Ystalyfera  11                  Pens for Ammanford:  14