Fixture

The third meeting between the sides this season saw Ystalyfera entertain Kenfig Hill at Ynysydarren. The visitors kicked off playing towards the Swansea end with the wind at their backs. The ‘Mulers’ attempted to run the ball from the start but Ystalyfera defended well, and in the first visit into the visitors half a penalty was awarded in the 6th minute – Wing Damian James starting the scoring. Kenfig Hill were finding it easier to keep the game in the ‘Fera half of the field thanks to the windy conditions. The tackles by Ystalyfera were commendable, having to retain possession and deny the visitors the ball. One such strong tackle in midfield offered the ‘Fera a chance to break, the attack stopped by a knock-on close to the Kenfig tryline. A series of scrums followed and eventually scrum-half Tom Barry scored the first Try in the 28th minute, lifting the score to 8 – 0. From the restart a return kick by the visitors was not dealt with adequately, and a fast break down the touchline saw winger Connor O’Connell score the first Try for Kenfig Hill, a long conversion kicked by outside-half Luke Griffiths – score 8 – 7. From a scrum awarded at the re-start the Kenfig Hill scrum-half made a break and fed the ball to flanker Scott Walker, scoring their second Try under the posts. This was promptly converted leaving the score 8 – 14 after 34 minutes. Ystalyfera forwards thus motivated to respond upped their game, and they worked their way up the field ending in a fine Try by Captain Paul Davies. Damian James was unlucky with the kick. The first half finished in a driving hailstorm with the score at 13 – 14.

Ystalyfera started the second half with the weather on their side and fully intended to take control. On the attack from the off the home side worked the ball from one side of the field to the other. A five metre scrum was awarded after a maul was pushed over the tryline and after several re-takes the referee awarded a penalty Try. This was converted by Damian James in the 47th minute, score now 20 – 14. The heavy conditions warranted the use of substitutes for both sides, the field becoming very ‘sticky’ as the game progressed. An exchange of punches between props Gareth Jones and Steve Smith earned a spell in the ‘SinBin’ for both in the 50th minute. Understandably the pace of the game diminished at this point, Kenfig Hill attempting to work the ball up the field by hand. The Ystalyfera defence was well capable responding to the danger and the game continued in the visitors half. In the 68th minute great work by the ‘Fera forwards saw a drive at their opponents Tryline, captain Paul Davies getting his second Try of the game, and a deserved bonus point. Kenfig Hill did not give up and in the 71st minute scored their third Try which was not converted. The match closed with Ystalyfera pressing their advantage – final score 25 – 19. 

This was a well worked performance in difficult conditions, Ystalyfera worthy of a five point win.