Fixture

Cardiff Met RFC | 1st Team 33 - 19 Ystalyfera RFC | 1st Team
Evan Lloyd
Conversion 4
Zachary Clow
Try 1
Ethan McVeigh
Try 1
Charles Rylands
Try 1
William Rigg
Try 1
Ollie Andrews
Try 1
Steffan Castle
2 Conversion
Luc Caines
1 Try
Zachary James Beynon
1 Try
Josh Jarrett
1 Try

Match Report
29 January 2020 / Team News

Cardiff Met. 33 – 19 Ystalyfera

In contrast to the weather from the week before, Ystalyfera were in the centre of Cardiff in the dismal and bleak mist and rain, to play the Metropolitan University side, consistent members of the WRU Championship since their promotion in 2012. The ‘Fera were able to select a consistent side with only positional changes on rotation, important for the dependency and confidence building of the players.

With floodlights on from the beginning, “the Archers” kicked off and after a quick return gave the ‘Fera the first line out in the Ystalyfera 22. A clearance by outside half Gareth James saw the home side run the ball back, an attempted chip kick being fielded by ‘Fera scrum half Ben William-Jones into touch. The Cardiff Met. Forwards then took control of the ball and moved play towards the Ystalyfera try-line, tight head prop Ollie Andrews touching down the first Try in the 4th minute. The conversion was missed: score 5 – 0. “The Archers” restarted with a short kick which Ben William-Jones fielded and Ystalyfera made their first attack, only for the home side to get the first penalty. A miss-kick allowed Ystalyfera to attack again, Cardiff Met. Clearing their lines. Ystalyfera lost the resulting line-out but won a penalty. Attacking again, Ystalyfera managed to lose possession and the home backs ran the ball out wide. Not releasing a player in the tackle gave Ystalyfera another penalty, and a line-out was set in the home 22. Ystalyfera ran the ball but gave away a penalty by holding when tackled. Moving into the ‘Fera half, another penalty for offside allowed Cardiff Met., a line-out on the Ystalyfera 5m line. The Ystalyfera pack responded well however, getting the first scrum of the game, allowing Gareth James to clear back to half way. The Met. Ran the line-out out to their wing who cut inside allowing scrum half Ethan McVeigh to touch down their second Try in the 18th minute. This was converted by outside half Evan Lloyd: score 12 – 0. Ystalyfera forwards worked forward from the restart, and both sides entered a period of exchanging kicks for position. After winning a scrum and a penalty, Ystalyfera advanced into the home half, the Met. Scrum half dropping the ball. Ystalyfera continued but a bad pass allowed the home backs kick and chase. Quickly collecting possession Cardiff Met. Were able to run in their third Try in the 29th minute scored by flanker Charles Rylands. This was converted by Evan Lloyd with some help off a post: score 19 – 0. Straight from the re-start, Cardiff Met. Regained the ball and with quick passing caught Ystalyfera on the back foot, wing Zac Claw running in their fourth Bonus Try in the 32nd minute. This was converted by Lloyd: score 26 – 0. From the re-start an exchange of feelings arose amongst the forwards giving the home side a penalty. Cardiff Met. Failed to find touch however, ‘Fera wing Bowdy Davies clearing his lines. Ystalyfera won a penalty at the line-out, full back Steffan Castle kicking the ball dead. From a resulting maul in midfield ‘Fera hooker Daniel Williams broke free, unfortunate to lose possession. In a resulting scrum ‘Fera won another penalty, allowing a 5m line-out.  Ystalyfera attempted to run the ball, but the home defence came forward blocking any opportunity. ‘Fera centre Talffan Allcock then made a neat kick over the defence out to speeding wing Luc Caines, who ran in the first Ystalyfera Try in the 40th minute. Steffan Castle converted: score 26 – 7. Gareth James cleared the re-start off the field, but the home forwards took a quick line-out, driving hard down the touchline. Ystalyfera were quicker to react this time, and Steffan Castle cleared with a long kick. Half time 26 – 7.         

Ystalyfera kicked off the second period, Steffan Castle catching the Cardiff Met. Clearance and attacking the right hand corner. “The Archers” attempted to recover while Ystalyfera continued to attack from a line-out. Stealing the ball Cardiff Met., cleared into the visitors half, but Ystalyfera came back again. A further clearance took play into the Ystalyfera 22, and from a line-out an attempted clearance kick by Gareth James only found a home winger. Ystalyfera flanker Ryan Lee James tackled and regained the ball, but another attempted clearance failed to find touch and Cardiff Met. Centre William Rigg ran in their fifth Try, this converted by Lloyd in the 48th minute: score 33 – 7. Ystalyfera then made some substitutions, and play stuttered with a number of stops and starts. The game gradually crept into the home half, where the Ystalyfera forwards were starting to gain the upper hand. Winning penalties in the scrums, the contest remained in the home half, until in the 58th minute, when Steffan Castle intercepted a pass with his boot. Substitute wing Josh Jarrett gave chase and using his speed won a race to the ball, scoring the second ‘Fera Try in the corner: score 33 – 12. Ystalyfera were now on the up, and attacking from the re-start won further penalties. Winning a line-out the ‘Fera lost possession in a maul, Cardiff Met. Clearing as soon as possible. Ystalyfera were playing hard and surprisingly fast, considering the heavy conditions. The home side in contrast appeared sporadic. The game continued with Ystalyfera working scrums and line-outs, Cardiff Met. Making clearances and giving away penalties. A returned clearance by Bowdy Davies bounced off the head of a home 2ndRow tying up his boots, only for the ball to travel straight into the home full backs hands, allowing him to clear with three ‘Fera attackers ready to pounce. This seemed to sum up the situation for Ystalyfera. Not relenting, Luc Caines attacked the right hand corner again for Ystalyfera in the 75th minute, winning a penalty. Taking quickly, replacement scrum half Zac Beynon ran in a deserved Try, converted by Steffan Castle leaving a final score of 33 – 19 to Cardiff Met. University.

When Ystalyfera are able to field a side with players in their familiar positions, then they can but do their best. Watchers of this game could confirm the differences between the first and second periods. Cardiff Met. Took and deserved all the chances made and given to them in the first half, and in the second Ystalyfera more than proved their capability to win control and score Trys against strong opponents. With this knowledge and belief Ystalyfera can recover their position in this league and overcome their remaining opponents in the hard games ahead.

Penalty count was 11 for Ystalyfera and 7 for Cardiff Met.

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