For the second season in succession, Gwernyfed secured the top spot in the league and promotion as champions.

A 34-game unbeaten league run allowed the Talgarth side the luxury of celebrating in front of home support with three league games still to play. In the process, Joe Winfield’s men passed the 100-try mark, repeating last term’s record, in claiming the silverware with a nine-try win.

These sides have enjoyed some close games, and New Panteg are never less than robust. So it proved on this occasion when, in front of a very healthy crowd serenaded by Talgarth Male Choir before kick-off, the visitors took the game to Gwernyfed in the hope of causing an upset. The arm wrestle settled down after 15 minutes, and the superior fitness of the green, white, and blacks began to count. Some incisive kicking from Joe Winfield and Gethin Davies took the hosts within five metres. Will Pugh secured the line-out, and after charges by Tom and Lloydd Powell, Geraint Powell collected five metres out to charge over for the first of his four tries.

There were plenty of opportunities for the referee to intervene as the visitors tried to slow down the waves of attack initiated by half-backs Luke Eckley and skipper Winfield. The penalty count mounted, and the visitors’ woes increased when the only means of preventing a Dylan Skyrme run-in was to knock the ball on deliberately – a penalty try and seven points. No conversion for Winfield, who, yet again, recorded a 100 per cent record with his place-kicking.

New Panteg were not about to offer Gwernyfed a walk up the red carpet and scored two tries before the break, interrupted by Geraint Powell’s second from a charge owing its origins to yet another penalty. A 21-15 lead at the break didn’t look too convincing, but the home faithful were confident, based on recent track record, that the home side’s speed and fitness would win out – and so it proved.

Within five minutes, the unstoppable Gethin Davies scored Gwernyfed’s fourth, bonus-point try, courtesy of some spectacular handling by the skipper, full-back Tyler Morris, and wing man Will Lloydd, who presented the Hay man with a clear run to the line. The next owed much to the strength and determination of Lloydd Powell, who sucked defenders in all afternoon, setting up Dylan Skyrme, Ryan Davies, and Will Pugh to take the ball to the line, with Geraint Powell collecting from the ruck to plunge over for his hat-trick.

The home side weren’t innocent in deploying the black arts of rugby and were found guilty to the extent that New Panteg were awarded their own penalty try. However, normal service resumed when Gethin Davies took defenders over with him from thirty metres out to record the sixth try. This was swiftly followed when Gwernyfed returned to the attack. Winfield took the ball in the centre of the pitch twenty metres out and launched an inch-perfect pass to Geraint Powell loitering on the wing, enjoying a canter in.

Seven tries with no Ryan Davies on the score sheet is something of a contradiction, but having played his part in several of the tries, the speedster added his own, breaking the hearts of defenders by beating his way to the line. Having made the cake, skipper Joe Winfield placed the cherry on top by intercepting a rare New Panteg attack inside his own 22 to run the length of the field and touch down the ninth in the corner, completing his perfect afternoon with yet another two-pointer from the touchline.

The green, white, and black players were rightly celebrated, but every supporter knows that so much of the success is down to the hard work of coaches Lee Thomas, Alun Phillips, Tomi Lewis, Matthew Lewis, and Jordan Curran; the work of physios Dani Clarke and Paige Jones; and the backroom volunteers. Chairman Gareth Davies confirmed the point: “We will enjoy tonight, but it is important to thank our supporters, our sponsors, and the many dozens of volunteers who make Gwernyfed the great community club we saw win another championship today.”