Pontycymmer 19 Ystradgynlais 23 Swalec League Division 4 South West Ystradgynlais emerged victorious in the game of the season against a very good Pontycymmer side.

The Blues, still feeling the hurt after being robbed of victory against Neath Athletic the previous week, made amends for the disappointment with a hearty and full-blooded display.

The big difference in their display was up front where Ystrad dominated the set piece, stealing ball on the opposition’s feed to both the scrum and line-out.

Captain Craig Jones led from the front and bossed the line-out. Richard Lougher consistently won middle ball on either throw- in and Gareth Thomas gave one of the finest hooking displays seen in a Blues jersey.

The defence was also marvellous from the forwards who worked tirelessly, with some huge tackles from prop Ryan Evans and second row Darren Lewis.

The ball-carrying of superb prop David Edwards and flanker Matthew Owen was also excellent, Owen having just signed back with his home club after a stint with Cwmllynfell.

The backs also played their part with scrum half Daniel Holsgrove controlling things. He would have been man-of-the-match but for the first class display by Sean Harries.

The talented full back beat defenders easily with his sidesteps, saved two tries with heroic defence and scored an interception try from 80m.

The rest of Ystradgynlais’ points came from centre Kieron Jones, who showed great power to score a vital early try, and the boot of outside half points machine Hywel Evans who added 13.

The only negatives were injuries to Jones and wing Christopher Northey.

A superb night was had in the packed Ystradgynlais clubhouse with the first team result complemented by wins for both the Athletic and Youth teams.

Ystrad will look to build on this momentum when they travel to play the students of Swansea University on Saturday in the Swalec Cup.