Fixture

Having been drawn to meet each other in the SWALEC Welsh Plate 1^st Round at Ynysydarren, this was the first encounter since the Swansea Valley Cup in season 2012-13. Ystradgynlais have won two Championships, the West Wales Plate and the Welsh Bowl at the Millennium since then, and much was expected from both sides. An early kick off due to the World Cup, conditions were dry with a slight wind blowing down the valley.

Ystrad started with this advantage, and with a penalty after just 2 minutes for lying on the ball, winger Liam Harris opened the scoring 0 – 3 to the visitors. Ystradgynlais began the more livelier and attempted to break through the home defence, pressure was rewarded with a penalty after the first line out, duly converted again by Liam – score 0 – 6. The Ystalyfera forwards now began to wake up and despite some solid defence work more penalties were given away. Creeping into an offside position then allowed the home side to make their first attack. After a line out and resulting scrum a drive thru the Ystrad forwards saw Ystalyfera get a disallowed try. In the 16th minute further powerful forward play saw Ystalyfera get their first ‘push over’ Try, No8 Andy Llewellyn with the touchdown 5 - 6. The re-start took the game back into the ‘Fera half where more penalties ensued. The pattern of the encounter was now developing, Ystalyfera forwards were attempting to keep full control of the ball up front, and where possible Ystradgynlais were looking to spread the ball across their backs, using speed to open up the home defence. In the 25^th minute pressure by the ‘Fera was disrupted and Ystrad broke away down to the home 22. A desperate clearance saw a return line kick stretch deep over the home try-line, and in the 28^th minute Owen James run in to score the first try of the game. This was converted by Liam Harris for a 5 – 13 score. The game was soon back to a series of hard working scrums up in the ‘Garage’ corner. Experienced technique was now being applied and eventually after a set of penalties and re-scrums the referee awarded Ystalyfera a penalty Try in the 33^rd minute. This was ably converted by outside half Dane Clancy leaving a half-time score of 12 – 13.

Second half began and ‘Fera were playing downhill with the slight wind. With obvious dominance up front the tactics were clear for all to see. Nevertheless Ystradgynlais were relying on the quick break and in the 45^th minute after moving the ball across the line, centre Kylum Austin ran in their second Try. This was converted – score 12 – 20. Whilst away supporters were feeling confident the ‘Fera forwards had other ideas. Scrumage ascendancy was delivered with a vengeance and a relentless series of 5m scrums saw the referee award a second penalty Try in the 56^th minute. This was converted by Dane Clancy – score 19 – 20. The Ystradgynlais pack were now virtually destroyed and another scrum close to the away try-line saw ‘Fera flanker Nathan Astley run in the 4rth home Try in the 64^th minute, again converted by Dane Clancy – score 26 – 20. The game now settled in midfield until a surge by Ystalyfera was stopped by a penalty and yellow card for centre Ryan Evans. The result was a break out by the Ystrad backs and Liam Harris getting a last minute Try – score 26 – 25. The conversion would have won the tie but it was not to be.

Home side Ystalyfera would continue to the next round, after an exhilarating and close encounter with their near neighbours Ystradgynlais.