Fixture

Ystalyfera RFC | 1st Team 52 - 15 Skewen RFC | 1st Team
Paul Anthony Davies
Try 1
Luc Caines
Try 1
Bowdy Davies
Try 3
Steffan Castle
Conversion 6
Try 1
Steffan Rhys Jones
Try 1

Match Report
29 April 2019 / Team News

Ystalyfera 52 – 15 Skewen

On a dry and windy Saturday, Division One West Central Champions Ystalyfera entertained Skewen at Ynysydarren in the penultimate League fixture.

The ‘Fera kicked off towards the Swansea end with the breeze behind them. Winning the first penalty. A catch + drive line out won another penalty and outside half Taylor Phillips set up Ystalyfera in the ‘Tunnel’ corner for a 5m throw in. An efficient catch and drive allowed hooker Ryan ‘Rhino’ James to power over for the first Try. Full back Steffan Castle converted starting the score at: 7 – 0. Both sides played quite openly, attempting to find gaps in their opponents defence. Skewen were able to quickly move the ball from left to right and in the 8th minute their winger ran in a good Try, which was converted: score 7 – 7. Ystalyfera kicked deep using the wind after fielding the re-start, and Skewen attacked again. This time however Ystalyfera gave away a penalty which was well put over in the 13th minute: score 7 – 10. The Ystalyfera forwards now took control and they worked hard moving the game into the changing room corner. A set of scrums, penalties and line-outs allowed the ‘Fera pack to apply pressure. In the 19th minute, No8 and Captain Steffan Jones touched down the second Try after a powerful push over the Skewen Tryline score: 12 – 10. After the restart, scrum half Zac Beynon made a neat box kick which nearly earned a breakthrough, Skewen using the boot to get out of trouble. Attempted to move play upfield, Skewen made a run but Ystalyfera stole the ball and after passing out the line prodigious wing Luc Caines run in the third Try in the 25th minute. This was converted by Steffan Castle: score 19 – 10. The Skewen defenders were now starting to make mistakes, and the ‘Fera forwards were pressing hard. Winning a scrum against the head, Ystalyfera made an inside move only to run into the referee, who was forced to award a new ‘Fera scrum. Play carried on quite open, and the sharp ‘Fera backs were happy. In the 32nd minute wing Bowdy Davies collected a free ball and run at speed thru the visitors defence. Avoiding four tackles he put down the best Try of the game which Steff Castle converted: score 26 – 10. Not slowing down in any way, the ‘Fera backs rushed at Skewen from the restart and Steff Castle was able to race down the wing and score the fifth Ystalyfera Try in the 38th minute. He converted this himself leaving a half time score of 33 – 10.

Not Phased in any way Skewen attacked strongly after the re-start, catching Ystalyfera unawares and running in their second Try in the 41st minute: score 33 – 15. Looking to repeat the same the Skewen backs made a forward pass and Ystalyfera used the stop to bring on substitutes. Skewen attacked further but Gareth James was now in position to steady the home defence, his cool line kicks relieving the pressure. Ystalyfera were soon back on the attack with Luc Caines racing up the wing. Having to come inside the ball switched to the left and a stretched Skewen defence left a big enough gap for veteran lock Paul Davies to run in his 7th Try of the season under the posts.  Steff Castle converted in the 58th minute: score 40 – 15. The game remained open and both sides sought to add to the score. Skewen put in further attacks and the Ystalyfera defence was looking most effective. In the 73rd minute the ‘Fera wings Luc Caines and Bowdy Davies went on a spree, interpassing and bemusing the Skewen defence, Bowdy touching down the 7th Try. Steffan Castle converted: score 47 – 15. Four minutes later and Bowdy was at it again, darting in his hat-trick of Trys and leaving the final score 52 – 15. .

Having already won the League Ystalyfera were under no pressure to win this game, other than the pride of maintaining a 100% home record. Skewen played a good game and the real winners were the supporters, who witnessed some excellent Trys. Steffan Castle had 17 points of his own, lifting his season total to 195 and his career total to 512. Bowdy Davies was man of the match with a hat rick – his carrer total now 92 points. Luc Caines took his season total to 21Trys, chasing his own record of 23 and the Club record held by Noir James of 24. Other player totals which are possible are Jonathan Bayliss on 49 appearances and Gareth Jones on 197 appearances.

The Penalty count was 11 for Ystalyfera and 5 for Skewen.

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