GWERNYFED 29 LLANDAFF NORTH 59
With these sides at sixth and seventh in the table the only thing at stake on the last day of the league season was pride - and to entertain a large crowd enjoying the sunshine. With eleven tries and with caution thrown to the winds the sides succeeded in offering something rather different to the fairly mundane season that had gone before.
The initial exchanges didn’t suggest much by way of a bonanza, in fact after fifteen minutes both sides had potted penalties, Gerwyn Williams doing the honours for the green, white and blacks, but nothing had suggested the opening of the floodgates.
The Cardiff visitors had demonstrated their handling and offloading abilities during the away game and suddenly those qualities were brought to bare resulting in a quick fire try hat trick and some stunning rugby. Gwernyfed, stung by the onslaught, responded in similar fashion, moving the ball wide where wingers Tucker and Hadfield made headway before centre Skyrme touched down twice in quick succession, Williams converting both.
One more try before half-time for the visitors looked to put the game out of Gwernyfed’s reach but some thrilling rugby with brothers Scott and Craig Parry, the latter completing a 100% appearance record for the season, prominent on three occasions only the final pass prevented tries.
Both sides went over the whitewash again, Skyrme completing his hat-trick for he Trefecca Road men, but Llandaff North’s ability to run the ball from every part of the pitch won the day with further exhilarating tries taking the game out of Gwernyfed’s reach, the defeat being sweetened by a bonus point try when hooker Scott Parry cantered over from fully forty metres to bring the season to a close.
This was not Gwernyfed’s best season but it is a huge commentary upon the determination of the players and the ability of the coaching team to secure a mid-table finish in a competitive league with such a young and inexperienced side.
Elsewhere Gwernyfed’s Ladies XV went to league leaders Penybanc and secured a wonderful 38-17 win that secures the league championship and returns the green, white and blacks to the WRU Premiership - an astounding achievement for a Club in Welsh rugby's hinterland and a credit to everyone involved.
Success was also the watchword at Ystradgynlais where Gwernyfed’s Youth XV, already league champions, won their County Cup semi-final to set up a juicy final at Parc de Pugh against rivals Brecon on the evening of Thursday 11 May.