Fixture

The top of the table clash between Ystalyfera and Bonymaen was at Ynysydarren in wet, windy conditions with occasional heavy showers. The weather did not prevent a tidy turnout for a fixture which has generated some high standards of Rugby in the last few seasons, and this game certainly did not disappoint. With the absence of Andy (Shenko) Jenkins and Head Coach Gareth James who have been playing away in Bermuda for the ‘Classic’ Lions team. Ystalyfera had two replacements on permit from Tata Steel, namely wing Steff Stone and utility back Taylor Phillips.

Bonymaen kicked off from the Swansea end with the wind behind them. And ‘Fera scrum half Zac Beynon cleared the ball well off-field. Winning the first penalty Ystalyfera launched the first attack with a line out on the Bonymaen 22m line. A catch and drive generated fast ball play across the field until a miss pass allowed the visitors to effect a kick and chase, the loose ball allowing Nathan Brooks to run in a Try for Bonymaen in the 5^th minute. Play re-started with a contest for possession in midfield, with an eventual penalty awarded to Bonymaen in the 10^th minute. Outside half Lawrence Thomas duly converted lifting the visitor lead to 0 – 8. Events continued in the Ystalyfera half with a spell of driving rain, until a smart kick and chase executed by ‘Fera outside half Steffan Castle moved play to the Bonymaen 22. Awarded a penalty from the line-out, Castle put the ‘Fera forwards into the Changing room corner. Working the ball into midfield, a set of positive attacks sought to penetrate the Bonymaen defence, and in the 17^th minute Centre Jonathan Bayliss powered over for a well taken Try. This was converted by Steffan Castle leaving the score at 7 – 8. Play resumed in the home half with Bonymaen getting a line-out in the Garage corner. A contest between the forwards saw a penalty awarded against Ystalyfera for not releasing a tackled player, and Bonymaen’s Lawrence Thomas lifted the lead to 7 – 11 in the 22^nd minute. Bonymaen now made an effort to raise the tempo and the Ystalyfera defence became stretched. Another penalty for Thomas brought the score to 7 – 14 in the 26^th minute. The Ystalyfera forwards however began to make their mark on proceedings, and a set of powerful scrums in the Changing room corner built pressure on the visitors. With the return of the driving rain Ystalyfera applied scrums, penalties and line-outs until in the 35^th minute, experienced lock Paul Davies pushed resolutely over the Bonymaen try-line for the second ‘Fera Try. This left a half time score 12 – 14.

The Bonymaen linesman shied away from doing his job on the ‘Sheddie’ side of the field in the second half, and Ystalyfera began with a promising start, moving the ball well across the field looking for a gap in the visitors defence. A probing ‘grubber’ ground kick by Steffan Castle set up a Bonymaen 5m line out and they looked to break out. Both sides worked hard to master possession of the ball in the tricky conditions and competition was fierce, especially up front. Taking the advantage of a central position in the Bonymaen half, Steffan Castle kicked over a drop goal in the 56^th minute, giving the ‘Fera the lead for the first time 15 – 14. This lifted his total to 101 points in 10 games this season, equalising the Club record for the fastest 100+ points. Ystalyfera now began to take a degree of control, with clean passing, ball retention and a marked advantage in the scrums. The Bonymaen forwards were having great difficulty in holding back the relentless power of the home pack. Substitutes were brought on and players rotated but thr result was the same. Bonymaen were certainly not giving up however and in the 77^th minute the chance of a penalty was expertly kicked over by Lawrence Thomas regaining the lead 15 – 17. Play now became a little frantic with middle of the field penalties for both sides. With Ystalyfera searching for a gap in the Bonymaen defence at full time, a penalty chance came in the 83^rd minute. ‘Fera Full Back Bowdy Davies was determined to convert, and over some length it spectacularly went over to give Ystalyfera the win 18 – 17.

In the end a deserved victory for Ystalyfera, in a well fought out match with a good Bonymaen side. Both teams showed why they are at the top of Division One, and the campaign continues with no doubt further quality games before the end of the season.

Pens For Ystalyfera  15                 Pens for Bonymaen:  10