Gwernyfed 40 Hirwaun 10
HIRWAUN travelled over the Brecon Beacons on a gloomy evening for this cup tie and must have fancied their chances when faced with a Gwernyfed side made up largely of Athletic players.
However, in an open and entertaining game the home side displayed their best form and earned a convincing victory.
Hirwaun were nothing if not resolute but were outstripped by some slick handling by a speedy back division where Lewis Cooke, Bentley Halpin and Keiron Jones showed particular sparkle.
It was Halpin who opened the scoring following a sharp exchange of passes with James Griffiths. Jones, the Talgarth farmer, finished a fine move by plunging over in the corner and James Brute drove over to show that the forwards were equally incisive as the first period petered out, opening up a nineteen point lead with Nathan Roberts contributing the conversion points.
Roberts himself nipped around the base to touch down as the second half opened, converting his own effort. The farming fraternity struck again by way of young Tom Powell, using his considerable strength to break tackles and allowing Roberts a simple two-pointer.
The visiting Brocks never gave up and it was no less than they deserved when they reduced the arrears with a forward-oriented try.
That was soon cancelled when Ben Barrell charged down an attempted clearance and applied soccer skills to dribble over before touching down – a popular score by a popular player earning a cheer from a healthy audience.
Hirwaun fought to the end and once again got over courtesy of the forwards, leaving a score that was a fair reflection of play if not of the massive effort expended by the visitors.
A good game of rugby on a gloomy if balmy December evening was just the ticket and it is to be hoped that similar fare is served up when Penygraig visit Trefecca Road in the new year.