Gwernyfed RFC 21 Ynysowen 24
AFTER the disappointment occasioned by last season’s relegation hopes are high that Gwernyfed will bounce back immediately.
New club captain Craig Fuller led out his side against opponents paying their first visit to Talgarth and anyone watching the first half would have been confident that this was a five pointer for the green, white and blacks. It was not to be.
The home side tore into the opposition from the kick off and with immediate dominance up front forced the visitors to slow the ball, the referee swiftly losing patience, awarding a penalty which Gerwyn Williams converted to open the Talgarth side’s account for the season, their first Saturday opponents having cried off.
Up front props Craig Parry and James Brute had by far the better of their much bulkier opposition and new signing Hadyn Murphy showed both speed and perception at centre.
However, intense pressure was not converted into points and it was not until the 20 minute that the home side got over the whitewash, aptly the new skipper touching down a drive by the pack.
Complete control of the scrum was the source of the second try with Ynysowen losing their own ball, David Roberts collecting the ensuing loose ball and finding Fuller who scored once again.
A cricket score looked likely but on too many occasions chances were squandered and whilst a thirteen point half-time lead was comfortable, it was not enough.
Williams added another three points shortly into the second period but this proved to be the high point as inexplicably Gwernyfed proceeded to throw away a game in which they were the better team by even the opposition’s judgement.
Three tries, all well converted by fly half Lee James put the visitors ahead. The scores owed much to the perseverance and effort but also relied upon some ineffectual tackling and, just as importantly, the failure to capitalise upon what was still dominance of both possession and territory.
When James added three points with a long range penalty to extend the lead to two scores with only three minutes to go the green, white and black fate was sealed and though a consolation point accrued when Andy Hill touched down, this game remembered as being one when four points were lost rather than one gained.
Cup action commences next weekend when the visitors to Trefecca Road in the first round of the SWALEC Bowl are old friends Monmouth RFC.
Coached Billen and Skyrme will be driving home the lessons learned in order that the potential of this side is realised with the start of a cup run.