Pentyrch 5 Gwernyfed 22

THE long trip to the outskirts of Cardiff saw Gwernyfed grab the game by the scruff of the neck in order to rectify previous weeks’ experience when inattention cost points.

An early lead was never relinquished and the green, white and blacks at last got the reward that their hard work on the training paddock deserves.

With stalwarts Gareth Dodd, Jonny Davies and Gareth East in the side the visitors lacked nothing in experience and all three played a big part in a fine win that was kicked off by Gerwyn Williams who took advantage of an offside decision to put three points over in the first minute.

The front row of brothers Craig and Scott Parry with James Brute were playing havoc with the larger Pentyrch contingent and with Jordan Curran and Sam Stephens winning line outs from both hookers the platform for a win was established during the first quarter.

The opening try seeing scrum half East release his backs, Hadyn Murphy making inroads only to be stopped short. Support came in the form of the pack and it was Ben Barrell who applied the coup de grace. Williams converted.

Pentyrch showed very little in attack and when they did finally fling the ball wide hooker Scott Parry intercepted and showed that he had speed and guile when running fifty meters to touch down, in the process side-stepping an embarrassed home full back. The Williams conversion extended the lead to seventeen points.

Pentyrch woke up to an imminent home defeat and rallied accordingly with flanker Marc Oakman prominent, using his bulk to force is way over to reduce the arrears.

However, that was really the end of the home side as an effective attacking force and when full back Jack Williams joined the line before half-time a link with Murphy and Dodd saw the hugely promising youngster show both pace and conviction is scoring in the corner.

The second period involved much huffing and puffing by Pentyrch but very little by way of realistic opportunity to score. When needed tacklers were plentiful and forceful, Sam Stephens and Jon Davies prominent in putting their bodies on the line.

Excellent clearance work with Gareth East feeding Gareth Dodd and Gerwyn Williams saw huge yardage being made, draining the home side’s enthusiasm and guaranteeing that Gwernyfed enjoyed the long journey back to Talgarth.

At Trefecca Road the Youth XV welcomed a much-fancied Newcastle Emlyn side in the WRU Plate competition. Dan Draper’s side have been putting in some impressive performances this season, topping their league with maximum points.

Their West Wales visitors suffered the fate as their predecessors this term, losing 27-3 to a Gwernyfed side that is improving week by week under the tutelage of Carwyn Phillips and Richard Davies.