Fixture

A mid-week home fixture versus last season’s champions Bonymaen, with Ystalyfera looking for points to pull away from the bottom of the table, set itself for an exciting encounter at Ynysydarren – and full of incident it turned out to be. The weather was dry but cold, and cold was the best description of the Ystalyfera start. The visitors made the first attack in the 2^nd minute, and flanker come captain Andy Pritchard scored a Try, this converted by full back Jamie Sturgess. Score 0 – 7.  Ystalyfera then settled, and after their first attack made a driving effort from a scrum in the ‘Garage’ corner. Play was aggressive up front, and in the 14^th minute a free for all erupted and the referee punished ‘Fera prop Robat White with a red card. This required a shuffle of the players and Bonymaen took advantage by applying pressure of their own and getting a 2^nd Try by the scrum half in the 20^th minute. This was not converted:  score 0 – 12. Ystalyfera came back and after a couple of penalties full back Steffan Castle kicked over in the 26^th minute: score 3 – 12. Visitors Bonymaen however were determined not to let their advantage slip and after an excellent run of the ball out to their winger scored their 3^rd Try in the 28^th minute. This was converted by Jamie Sturgess: score 3 – 19. Immediately from the restart Stephan Castle pulled back a second penalty score 6 – 19. Play between the sides now became more hot tempered, both sides seeking control of the ball. Bonymaen scrum half was yellow carded in the 35^th minute, their winger being yellow carded for deliberate knock on 2 minutes later. ‘Fera now having the man advantage could not capitalize to redeem the score. Some frantic open play at the end of the first half saw Bonymaen getting a 4^th bonus point Try in added on time: score 6 – 24 half time.

This time Ystalyfera started on fire and permit winger Bowdy Davies from Ystradgynlais ran in a fine Try: score 11 - 24. The ‘Fera continued their assault and pressure in the ‘Tunnel’ corner saw a third penalty kick by Steffan Castle in the 50^th minute: score 14 – 24. Ystalyfera were now relentless with the forwards putting in determined drives against the visitors. A mix up by the ‘Bony defence in the 57^th minute allowed centre Jay Aspinwall run in the 2^nd home Try: score 19 – 24. The atmosphere around the ground was now electric with the ‘Fera chasing an equaliser. A Try came in the 75^th minute when a catch and drive move resulted in hooker Daniel Williams bursting thru over the line: score 24 – 24. With play returning to the home half a loose ball moved along the visitor line where a 5^th Try and conversion was scored in the 77^th minute: score 24 – 31. During the restart the Bonymaen scrum half sustained a neck injury and an ambulance had to be called. Due to the delay and bad light the referee advised the captains that the remaining 5 minutes could, on their agreement, be voided and the score stand. Both captains chose to play the remainder and the game re-started. An immediate drive by the ‘Fera pack and quick release then saw full back Steffan Castle take the ball over the Tryline for a bonus point 4^th ‘Fera Try. He then completed the heroics by converting leaving a final score of 31 – 31.   

Not a game for the feint hearted and immense entertainment by two good teams. 3 match points for both sides.

Penalty count was;

17 committed by Bonymaen and 7 by Ystalyfera.

Fera breakdown was 1 for holding ball on floor, 2 scrum offences, 1 holding player in tackle,

1 verbal abuse and 2 offside.