Division Three South West
Ystalyfera 39 Taibach 19
The first home Division Three South West fixture in Ystalyfera began somewhat dramatically for the supporters.
With visitors Taibach informing the referee they had no substitutes available and only the starting three front-row forwards on the field, the game was forced to commence with uncontested scrums.
A ‘drab’ affair looked forthcoming but instantly the fastest try ever seen on Ynysydarren Park was scored by the home side.
From the ‘Fera kick-off the ball was fed to the Taibach outside-half by the fielding forwards and No8 Owain Morgan charged down the attempted kick for touch and scored under the posts – all in the first 10 seconds of the game.
The conversion kicked by Gareth James saw Ystalyfera 7–0 up inside the first minute.
The Taibach team sustained a furious attack which gave outside half Gareth James the chance for a drop goal attempt in the third minute to take the score to 10–0.
The visitors then steadied themselves and began to work their way up the field helped by some lapse defending by Ystalyfera.
The pace of the game was being broken by a combination of poor passing and penalties. While the home side were on the attack Taibach defended well and this paid off in the 22nd minute with a well-worked try by centre Kyle Jenkins – the conversion was missed.
It was apparent that the visitors were making the most out of the uncontested scrums with quick movement of the ball.
However in the 30th minute Ystalyfera engineered good set-up play culminating with a try driven in by prop Jonathan Williams.- converted by James.
Hard working ‘Fera flanker Rhys Humphreys was substituted after a leg injury and the half ended with the home side attempting to assert control whilst Taibach were looking to break out with their useful looking backs.
The second half began much the same with Ystalyfera attempting quick ball play only to lose out from dropped passes.
Taibach were better and in the 50th minute full back Mike Kelly ended a move with a try converted by outside half Mike McSweeney leaving the score 17-12.
From the kick off ‘Fera worked the ball up the right wing and Damian James run the 3rd try into the corner.
Ystalyfera then applied greater determination to get the important 4th Try.
On 63 minutes a fine run by winger Ceri-Wyn Myers gave a chance for centre Ashley Carter to power over beneath the posts.
Ystalyfera were keeping the game in the Tabach half of the field maintaining the high tempo and a forceful drive by the home pack in the 78th minute earned a try for hooker Daniel Williams – his second in two games.
After another move out on the left substitute flanker Nathan Astley scored the sixth Ystalyfera try to take the scores to 39–12.
An additional five minutes allowed Taibach to take advantage of the now open pattern of the game and full back Chris Maggs run in a try which was converted by McSweeney.
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