Fixture

Ystalyfera RFC | 1st Team 68 - 15 Maesteg Celtic RFC | 1st Team
Paul Anthony Davies
Try 1
Josh Jarrett
Try 2
Steffan Castle
Try 2
Conversion 9
Luc Caines
Try 1
Bowdy Davies
Try 2
Zachary James Beynon
Try 1
Lee Arthur
1 Try
Matthew Harris
1 Try
Morgan Harris
1 Try

Match Report
22 October 2018 / Team News

Ystalyfera 68 – 15 Maesteg Celtic

Ystalyfera entertained newly promoted Maesteg Celtic at Ynysydarren, in warm conditions with breaks of sunshine and a very slight wind. .

Ystalyfera kicked off towards the School end, starting with a ‘Celtic’ scrum in their half. The visitors made their first attack with a searching kick, and ‘Fera full back Steffan Castle fielded by calling a mark. Back into Maesteg territory, and the first penalty effort by Steffan Castle was missed. Wing Luc Caines collected the drop out and made a searching run, the ball being dropped. Play remained in the visitors half, Ystalyfera not allowing Maesteg much time with the ball. A set of scrums and line-outs eventually saw the ball passed out quickly to wing Josh Jarrett, who cut inside and scored the first Try in the 13th minute. Steffan Castle converted: score 7 – 0.At the restart Maesteg Celtic strove to work a move in the home half but possession was lost. Ystalyfera took advantage and skilfully moved the ball quickly back and fro across the field. The visitors defence lost their shape and on 20 minutes nippy scrum half Zac Beynon darted in for the second Try under the posts. Castle converted: score 14 – 0. Ystalyfera did not lose any momentum, and after Maesteg lost a player in the SinBin for a deliberate knock-on, pressure was back on in the visitors half. In the 28th minute, slick passing between forwards and the three-quarters saw Steffan Castle break thru to get the third Try, he converting to raise the score 21 – 0. Maesteg Celtic were unable to consolidate their game in any way and after the ‘Fera backs swung the ball quickly out to the wing in the 35th minute, Luc Caines ran in the 4th bonus Try which Steffan converted – half time 28 – 0.

In the second period Ystalyfera fully intended to keep the game down in the Maesteg Celtic half. The visitors had far from given up however and the showed some resolve by chasing into the School corner and Liam Healey got their first Try in the 43rd minute. This was not converted, score 28 – 5. Looking to do the same the Maesteg backs attempted to attack again, but this time a strong tackle and a ‘steal’ saw the power of ‘Fera centre Ryan Lee James, crash thru the middle for the 5th Try in the 47th minute. Another conversion lifted the score to 35 – 5. Ystalyfera now brought on substitutes to complete the job and they certainly did. Immediately Andy ‘Schenko’ Jenkins gained control and slipped a neat pass to inside runner Bowdy Davies who scored under the posts. Castle converted in the 51st minute: score 42 – 5. Maesteg Celtic were certainly still awake and using kicks to relieve the constant home pressure. Taking a quick line out a gap opened in the Ystalyfera defence and Morgan Harris ran in their second Try after 55 minutes: Score 42 – 10. The ‘Fera forwards were not impressed and they made determined attacks. ‘Fera Lock Steffan David Jones had to leave the field with a head injury, and with all the subs on the ‘Fera had to end the game with a man short. As an event this made no difference. Ystalyfera were playing as forceful as at the start of the game, and in the 63rd minute Bowdy Davies ran in his second Try, with a 7th conversion by Steffan Castle: score 49 – 10. Maesteg were now leaving a number of gaps and from the restart a determined Josh Jarrett ran in his second, and the ‘Fera’s eighth Try: score 56 – 10. With thoughts now looking at club records in the 70th minute the resourceful  Steffan Castle ran in his second Try and kicked his ninth conversion, equalling the record nine conversions in a match. Maesteg were still there however, with ideas of a four Try bonus point. This they endorsed with a third Try by Lee Arthur, but it was not to be. Another sub, the ever reliable and experienced Paul Davies piled over for the last ‘Fera Try, lifting the score to an impressive 68 – 15. Steffan Castle’s conversion would make the match count record his own but it was not to be. With 28 total points scored however he is still on for the fastest 100 points from the start of a season – currently 100+ in 10 games, Steffan having 92 points in 8 games.

Maesteg Celtic were most definitely overwhelmed by the strength and determination of the Ystalyfera side, they not having any chance to formulate their game as they had planned.

Pens For Ystalyfera  6                    Pens for Maesteg Celtic:  5

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