Fixture

Ystalyfera played in the 3^rd Round of the SWALEC Plate competition for the second time on 13^th December against fellow Division 1 South West side Kenfig Hill at Ynysydarren. Kenfig beat the ‘Fera last season and having also lost an away league fixture on 20^th September, a hard game was expected. Regular scrum half Tom Barry was carrying a slight leg injury which kept him on the substitute’s bench. His position was covered by Whitland player Andrew (shenko) Jenkins who was appearing under a permit. Conditions were dry and sunny and the visitors kicked off with the sun on their backs at the “Swansea” end.

Having the ball and with a rousing start Ystalyfera tore into the Kenfig defence, they giving away a penalty in the 2^nd minute which outside half Gareth James converted. In another two minutes Kenfig hooker Daryl Harey was sin-binned for a high tackle. The game was fast and furious with penalties galore for both sides. The first scrum did not arise until the twelfth minute which the home forwards controlled well. A penalty in centerfield was converted by the Kenfig outside half Lloyd Giles in the twenty third minute which equalised the score at 3 – 3. This motivated the visitors somewhat and they began to take the game into the Ystalyfera Half. On the half-hour a penalty was awarded against Fera flanker Nathan Astley for going down on a Kenfig player and Lloyd Giles lifted the score to 3 – 6. Pressure was now on and five minutes later a gap opened up behind a scrum. This let the Kenfig Hill scrum half Tom Briggs break through and score the first Try under the posts. This was converted by Lloyd Giles making the score 3 – 13 which remained until half time.

 Expecting an urgent re-start from Ystalyfera the second half began with an indifferent approach by both sides. ‘Fera slowly came into the game and in the 49^th minute Gareth James kicked a fine 22yd penalty to reduce the lead 6 – 13. The visitors responded and in turn applied some pressure on the home try-line. Substitute Tom Barry was introduced and on the hour a break up the middle of the field was perpetuated by hard working prop Dan White, the ball was worked out to the wing where full back Josh Jarrett run in a good Try 11 – 13. Kenfig Hill came back again with the ‘Fera strong in defence, only for another penalty to be given in the 68^th minute. Lloyd Giles again converted – score 11 – 16. Ystalyfera were however now most hungry for it and another break by the home backs saw Gareth James force himself through for the second home Try drawing the score at 16 – 16. Straight from the re-start some open play saw a defensive penalty awarded to the ‘Fera only for the referee to award a Red Card to home flanker Gethin (Tuna) Jones for what he considered was dangerous stamping. This reversed penalty was converted – score 16 – 19. In the 75^th minute Kenfig hooker Daryl Harey received a second yellow and had to leave the field. This evened things up amongst the forwards and after a line out in the Kenfig corner of the field a quickly taken penalty by scrum half Tom Barry saw him score the winning Try in the 79^th minute.

Final score 21 – 19 to Ystalyfera.

This was a much needed boost for the Ystalyfera players who never gave up throughout.

Ystalyfera will now be in the 4^th Round away to old West Wales opponents Loughor on Saturday 17^th January.