Fixture

Despite the recent heavy rain the condition of Ynysydarren Park was good enough for this important ‘bottom of the table’ match to take place. With the sun at their backs the Fera kicked off facing the school end and immediately surged into the first attack. A run by full back Emyr Myers earned a scrum close to the Mumbles Try-line. In the 3^rd minute scrum half Tom Barry made a typical pick-up and powerful crash over for the first Try, Outside Half Gareth James was back with his kicking boots and put over the conversion  7 – 0. The game continued and the home side carried on making purposeful attacks. After 14 minutes Mumbles made their first move into the Fera half only for Gareth James to break through their line, being fouled by Mumbles in some desperation. The resulted penalty was converted by Gareth   10 – 0. The game continued with both sides attempting to run with the ball and find space. A break up the touchline by wing Damian James was well defended by the visitors and in the return a penalty was conceded. The Mumbles No10 screwed the kick however and a scoring chance was lost. Confusion at the resultant drop-out gave Mumbles a well placed scrum in center-field but the home forwards were strong.

Mumbles resorted to long searching kicks into the ‘Fera half but the defence fared well, wing Josh Jarrett keeping the Ystalyfera forward momentum. In the 29^th minute a further scrum on the Mumbles Try-line saw Tom Barry repeat his earlier achievement and score a second Try. This was again converted by Gareth james  17 – 0. This seemed to galvanise the visitors and Mumbles made a strong attack which Ystalyfera repulsed admirably.  In the 38^th minute an interpreted ‘Spear’ tackle by Fera hooker Daniel Williams was rewarded with a yellow card. In the closing minutes of the first half Damian James made a break from his own 22 which was desperately defended by Mumbles. No8 Owain Morgan also made a surge only to drop the ball, and the first half finished with end to end plays by both sides, all failing to add to the score.

Owain retired injured in the break, Andy Llewellyn coming on as Number 8. Ystalyfera now intensified their efforts in the Mumbles half and in the 48^th minute, having returned onto the field hooker Daniel Williams forced his way through the middle of a maul to score the 3^rd Fera Try under the posts. This was converted by Gareth James   24 – 0. The game continued with fast open play, both sides looking to gain the advantage, and substitutes were brought on by both sides to introduce ‘fresh legs’ into the proceedings. The effect was to make things more fractious and in the 70^th minute front row substitute Robat White was Sin-Binned for not releasing in a tackle. Mumbles now made a great effort to score and a Try was made By Andrew Bier in the 77^th minute. The conversion was poorly missed  24 – 5.  From the re-start Ystalyfera made a full on attack to gain the fourth bonus try and after some strenuous efforts on the Mumbles line lock Jesse Patton dived over 2 minutes into added on time  Final score  29 – 5..

This was a vital result and Ystalyfera well deserved the victory. The improvement in form continues and a big test will be the away fixture at Trebanos next week. Contenders for the top spot they have won all their home fixtures so far this season and a hard game is expected. .