Penybanc RFC ended Furnace United RFC's unbeaten streak in a hard-fought match.
The home team, Penybanc, managed a 15-11 victory over the league leaders, earning four crucial points and widening the gap between them and the teams below in the league.
The game took place on November 30, and despite challenging weather conditions and a spate of injuries and last-minute withdrawals, Penybanc delivered what many are calling their best performance of the season.
Before the match, head coach Paul Davies emphasised the need for a quick start, while captain Adrian Pugh urged the team to display heart and confidence.
Both were satisfied with the team's performance on the field.
The game began with a strong kick-off by Aled Rees-Jones, setting the tone early with solid defence and counter-rucking.
The pressure forced Furnace to fumble, awarding Penybanc a scrum.
The forwards made significant progress, pushing the Furnace pack backwards.
Rees-Jones kicked the first penalty, giving Penybanc a 3-0 lead.
A strategic kicking game, coupled with strong runs from Steff Lewis, got the home team into the opposition’s 22 again.
The forwards looked for a pushover try, but despite their dominance, the referee decided against awarding a penalty try after the fourth scrum collapsed, giving Furnace a penalty instead.
Their respite was brief, as Rees-Jones soon slotted another kick, extending the lead to 6-0.
Furnace managed to close the gap to 6-3 with a penalty, but Penybanc's midfield dominated the gain line in defence.
Good carrying from Tana Evans and Steff Lewis, along with structured play from the forwards, set up another try-scoring opportunity.
Rees-Jones chipped over the defence and managed to pass to a charging Jake Anthony, but the defence scrambled, and the chance was lost.
However, Rees-Jones slotted another penalty, bringing the score to 9-3 at half-time.
In the second half, Furnace showed why they had been unbeaten, increasing their intensity and putting pressure on the lineout and rucks to slow Penybanc's ball.
A high tackle reduced them to 14 men for ten minutes, but they were still able to disrupt the Penybanc team.
Furnace kicked their second penalty, closing the gap again to 9-6.
Rees-Jones stepped up once more to open the gap to 12-6 after more strong carrying from the forwards and Lewis.
Furnace thought they had won the game when a series of penalties gave them a foothold in the Penybanc 22.
They scored a try, bringing the score to 12-11.
Penybanc kicked long from the restart and immediately won a penalty, which Rees-Jones converted, bringing the score to 15-11.
The referee signalled the final play of the game, but a series of errors nearly cost Penybanc the match.
Furnace kicked the restart quickly, but Owen Williams was ready.
He gathered the ball and went to kick it out to end the match, but slipped, sending the ball straight to a Furnace player who launched a final attack.
However, player of the match Jake Anthony made a decisive turnover, allowing the ball to be kicked into touch, sparking celebrations from the home team and supporters.
The victory was a testament to Penybanc's resilience and strategy, overpowering Furnace up front and adapting better to the difficult conditions.
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