Fixture

Ystalyfera RFC | 1st Team 50 - 7 Aberavon Quins RFC | 1st Team
Josh Jarrett
Try 3
Paul Anthony Davies
Try 2
Gareth James
Conversion 4
Jonathan Bayliss
Try 1
Luc Caines
Try 1
Steffan Castle
Conversion 1
Ryan Pugh
1 Conversion
1 Try

Match Report
14 January 2019 / Team News

Ystalyfera 50 – 7 Aberavon Quins

Conditions at Ynysydarren for the visit of Aberavon Quins was dry, thin clouds and a slight cold breeze from the North.   

The Quins kicked off towards the Swansea end, leaving a home 5m line out in the Ystalyfera half. Clearing to half way, the ‘Fera pack gave away the first penalty in the 4th minute. Collecting a return kick, the Ystalyfera backs moved the ball out the line into the visitors half, only to drop a pass. The second scrum saw a second penalty against Ystalyfera, and events continued in this manner. Both sides took time to warm up with most of the play in the ‘Fera half. Aberavon choose to up the pace with an attack in centre field – Ystalyfera responded and full back Taylor Phillips launched his side into the visitors half, where they launched their first attack. Running the ball well across the field and taking a quick penalty, the urgency allowed the forwards to link well and lock Paul Davies touched down the first Try in the 20th minute. The Gareth James conversion attempt was charged down leaving the score 5 – 0. The game resumed back in the ‘Fera half and another scrum penalty provided Aberavon with a chance in the 24th minute, but their effort fell short. A penalty for offside was then run up field and Taylor Phillips gained much ground with his boot. From a line out in the visitors half in the 30th minute, centre Jonathan Bayliss cut thru the Aberavon defence with a well executed angled run to get the second home Try, this converted by Gareth James score: 12 – 0. Having taken their time Ystalyfera were now moving the ball at pace, looking for gaps at every opportunity. In the 35th minute, from the back of a scrum, the ball was moved out the blind side where wing Josh Jarrett run in a well taken Try. Gareth James converted score: 19 – 0. Some frustration was now apparent in the Aberavon Quins front row, an early bath for a prop adding to their demise.

Taylor Phillips started the second period, and Ystalyfera were getting the better of some loose play. A searching kick by Gareth James moved events into the tunnel corner, and from a line out a short pass to Paul Davies, saw him drive over the line for his second and the sides fourth bonus point Try in the 45th minute, score: 24 – 0. Ystalyfera were now in full control and with slick passing of the ball fully out the line in the 50th minute, wing Josh Jarrett got his second Try, Gareth James made an excellent kick, score: 31 – 0. From the re-start, another penalty against the ‘Fera scrum, plus advancement of 10m, took play into the school corner where the Aberavon forwards made a big effort to force their way over. In a fair tussle this they achieved in the 65th minute, with a conversion lifting the score to 31 – 7. After some substitutions, Ystalyfera were able to keep up the pace of the game, and this now finished off their opponents. Challenging every effort being attempted by the visitors, wing Luc Caines made a single handed interception, and after some juggling darted over for the sixth Try and his 50th for the club. Gareth James made his fourth conversion, lifting his personal record club total to 1938 and the game score to 38 – 7.  Aberavon Quins were now spent out and in the 74th minute, centre Ryan Lee James ran thru the seventh Try. The match ended with Ystalyfera forcing a free run of the ball, wing Josh Jarrett getting a hatrick of Trys. Substitute Steffan Castle, wanting to keep his 13 match run of having scored alive, made a concentrated effort and shot the conversion over for a final score of 50 – 7.  

With both Glynneath and Bonymaen playing in the Plate competition, Ystalyfera increased the lead at the top of the Division to 10 points. Resting some and testing other players in different positions, Ystalyfera were wise to show every respect to visitors Aberavon Quins, who made a big effort to contest the game. In the end Ystalyfera showed their strength in depth and finished as deserved winners.

The penalty counts were a 6 for Ystalyfera and 9 for Aberavon Quins.

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