Fixture

Taken from Dunvant RFC Website.

This was a typical winter game of rugby in the valleys, the local community club, basic field and facilities, tin sheds around the field for the supporters but plenty of guts, determination and heart & soul from a side struggling with life in Division 1 with 2 wins from 9 played. Ystalyfera are used to winning having finished high in Division 3 South West for many a season and running away with the league last season losing only one game, to find themselves promoted two levels to Division 1 West Central in the league restructure. This is a big ask but they are giving it everything they have got for the full 80 minutes.
Ystalyfera had worked hard to get the pitch playable after the incessant rain but inevitably it was a rain sodden muddy pitch offering little in the hope of running rugby.
Dunvant kicked off down the slope but into a strong breeze, and it was a dour first half kicking game with Fera booting everything coming at them back up field. Fera had their first chance to score two minutes after kick off when having booted the ball to our 22, Dunvant were pinged for not releasing but Fera outside half Gareth James failed with the kick at goal. The next chance went to Dunvant who kicked a penalty to touch for a lineout on the 22, but Fera turned the ball over and belted it back up field. Dunvant’s first direct kick at goal came on 35 minutes but Richard Lewis was well wide, but almost immediately a break by scrum half Aled Lewis supported by lock Jamie Nicholas saw the ball worked out to winger Morgan Evans to just get over in the left hand corner to score. Richard Lewis’ conversion attempt from the touchline failed in the strong wind but Dunvant were in front by 0-5.
On 40 minutes Dunvant scrum half Aled Lewis kicked a penalty for 0-8, but in added time Fera winger Damian James brought the score back to 3-8 with a successful penalty kick.
Fera restarted the second half and on 45 minutes a penalty on our 22 was kicked to touch for a lineout, set up a rolling maul which the pack pushed Dunvant all the way back on over the line to score, converted by Damian James to level the scores at 8-8. To the excitement of the ‘Sheddies’ who had finally woken up, Fera took the lead on 53 minutes with another penalty kick by Damian James for 11-8 and Dunvant needed to respond which they did in style. First a break started by Aled, extended by winger Tom Davies opened a gap for full back and Captain Mitchell Ford to score in the right hand corner, Aled’s conversion kick looked good but hit the crossbar and bounced off but Dunvant were back in the lead at 11-13.
Ystalyfera were stirred into replying and some strong play from their pack and keeping the ball in hand was proving effective but Dunvant turned eventually turned over the ball and a terrific break by Jamie Nicholas who passed to Aled in support who was able to run in to score and getting the conversion for 11-20. On 75 minutes, Fera were awarded a penalty on our 10 metre line with 10 metres added for backchat making an easier kick to bring Fera within 7 for a losing bonus point but James’ kick failed.
Finally, with the game moving into added time. Dunvant hooker Robbie Morris in his first game back from a horrible knee injury made a great break through the middle and lock Jamie Nicholas in support was able to run in under the posts for a try bonus point, Adam Williams-Parry converting for a final score of 11-27

Dunavnt Match Report (http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/dunvant/s/match-centre-8590/1-1015774/)