Fixture

Brought forward to a 1:30 kick off due to the France-Wales international, Ystalyfera travelled to Trebanos Park to for a return league fixture, having won narrowly 17 – 16 at Ynysydarren earlier in the season. Despite recent heavy rain the field was playable with a cold wind from the South. The ‘Fera kicked off towards the Swansea end against the breeze, and Trebanos outside half Sean Hammer took advantage with a long reaching touch kick into the corner. A resultant catch and drive by the ‘Banos forwards immediately saw a yellow card for Ystalyfera hooker Daniel Williams, for not rolling away from a tackle. Choosing the line-out a further catch and drive saw the first Try for the home side by lock Declan Bale, quickly converted by Sean Hammer – score 7 – 0 after 4 minutes. From the re-start the first scrum forced ‘Fera flanker Nathen Astley to leave the field – replacement hooker Robat White coming on. The visiting 7 man scrum held well, Trebanos putting in forceful early attacks. No further advantage occurred however and when a 24 metre penalty was awarded to the home side for collapsing the first full scrum after 14 minutes, Sean Hammer narrowly missed the kick. After the drop-out, an interception by ‘Fera winger Josh Jarrett began the first meaningful Ystalyfera attack. Good work by the forwards earned a penalty and outside half Gareth James  kicked for position. A ‘Fera catch and drive saw a returned Try by ‘Fera No8 Andy Llewellyn in the 21^st minute. Gareth James kicked a long conversion – score 7 – 7. Just 2 minutes after the re-start Ystalyfera were penalised for hands in the ruck and Sean Hammer kicked the resultant penalty – score 10 – 7. The game was now progressing at a fast and furious pace. Ystalyfera gained a favourable position after a penalty for offside only to lose the line-out. The resultant deep kick by Trebanos was caught admirably by Josh Jarrett who broke through the advancing Trebanos players, this determined attack earned a scrum which the ‘Fera forwards pushed well, Trebanos having to defend their position carefully to clear their lines. The game continued with Trebanos attempting to use the wind advantage, kicking at every opportunity. The Ystalyfera back three Emyr Myers, Ceri Wyn Myers and Josh Jarrett fielded the ball very well, setting up the possession for their forwards. The visiting pack made positive attacks into the ‘Banos half, much to the annoyance of the home supporters. Who were pleading for their backs to run the ball along the line

Trebanos probed the Ystalyfera territory from the start of the second half. ‘Fera full back Emyr Myers bursting into the home defence and trying a chip which was unlucky. Emyr had to leave the field with a resultant injury and Damian James entered the fray. An Ystalyfera scrum on the home 22 in the 45^th minute saw an altercation between the sides, yellow cards being dished out to ‘Fera Stephen Myers and ‘Banos Aled Humphries. The referee then gave two quick penalties to the home side, moving the game to the Ystalyfera try-line. Defensive scrimmaging then cleared the ball, Another penalty was awarded to Trebanos in the 60^th minute, but was disappointingly missed for the home supporters. A break out by Ystalyfera 5 minutes later saw a counter attack by Trebanos and a second opportunist Try scored by winger Ross Jones. This was converted by Sean Hammer – score 17 – 7. Ystalyfera made an immediate response with a strong attack which earned a penalty. This was kicked for a line-out by Damian James. On 71 minutes an attacking scrum then saw the ball served out to inside centre Jay Aspinwall, who powered over for the ‘Fera second Try. This was converted by Damian James – score 17 – 14. With the re-start moving the game to center-field, a penalty for off-side was awarded just in front of the half-way line to the ‘Fera for offside. Experienced and club record scorer Damian James took the kick which hit the crossbar and went over – score 17 – 17. The game closed with a forward contest in midfield where a further penalty was awarded to Ystalyfera. This time however Damian’s effort fell wide.   

An entertaining and expectedly hard fought contest, between two good Swansea valley teams, thus finished equally in a draw. This was the first league points dropped at home for Trebanos this season.