Fixture

Wary of the state of the field after the inclement weather, the return league fixture between Ystalyfera and Ammanford was played at Ynysydarren on 30^th January. Ammanford kicked off with their backs to the Swansea end, ‘Fera full back Steffan Castle immediately clearing his lines. Early interplay between both sets of forwards ended with a line-out close to the home Try-line. Ystalyfera defended well and possession remained with Ammanford. After 10 minutes a brave attempt at a penalty from the half way line by the visitors, allowed Ystalyfera to move the game into their opponents half for the first time. In the 12^th minute a penalty for offside 30 metres out allowed ‘Fera centre Gareth James to start the scoring with a well taken kick – score 3 – 0. The game continued evenly matched and 6 minutes later Ammonford outside half Rydian Morris equalised with a return penalty for offside – score 3 – 3. The contest continued with both sets of forwards seeking control of the ball centerfield, long penalty attempts not adding to the score. After 25 minutes Ammanford backs managed to break through and Steffan Castle made a try saving tackle which earned him a yellow card for holding the attacker too long on the ground. The visitors now upped the pace of their attacks and Ystalyfera did well to keep them out. Eventually the ‘Fera backs affected a penetrating run and were unlucky not to score. The home forwards now applied their renowned pressure play in the ‘Tunnel’ corner with Ammanford infringing to keep them out. Unfortunately the half ended with ‘Fera lock Jesse Patton being yellow carded for holding the ball in an offside position.

The start of the second period was a contest for ball possession in the middle of the field. Play drifted into the Ystalyfera 22 and after a 5 metre line-out the Ammanford full back Joe Morgan picked the ball up from a loose maul to dart over for a Try, which was not converted – score 3 – 8. ‘Fera forwards then began to assert themselves winning scrums and line outs, the action moving into the ‘Garage’ corner. After an eventual drive over the away Try-line an appeal for a score was ignored. It was now end to end and after an attempted Ammanford pass out along the back line ‘Fera outside half Damian James was judged to have deliberately knocked the ball forward and was yellow carded. The resultant 66^th minute penalty was converted – score 3 – 11. Ystalyfera were now ‘chasing’ the game and Ammanford were content to retain the ball at every opportunity. In the 78^th minute a scrum on the home 22 metre line was seen to be pushed illegally sideways by referee Mr Chris Oliver (Haverfordwest) and a penalty Try was awarded. A goal was completed by outside half Rydian Morris in the last minute and the game ended 3 – 18 to Ammanford.

Ystalyfera showed that they could match the performance of second placed Ammanford for most of the contest but in the end fell short both in consistency and moreover discipline.

 Penalty count was 11 committed by Ammanford and 20 by Ystalyfera.

Fera breakdown was 8 given for offside, 6 for holding ball/player, 4 scrum/line out infringements, 1 for deliberate knock on and 1 for verbal abuse.