AFTER a series of narrow defeats that offered scant reward for effort, Gwernyfed returned to winning ways with a well-deserved victory over a Vale of Glamorgan side that arrived without a full front row and opted for passive scrums throughout.

This is not the first time that the visitors have sought to neutralise the green, white and black pack but while the tactic undoubtedly detracted from the game, it rebounded as Gwernyfed put on a fine performance.

There was no doubt that Pentyrch’s strength lay in its back division, half backs Moore and Williams and full back Paddison all showing good insight and a swift turn of foot. For the first fifteen minutes the Trefecca Road outfit were forced to defend and even though Sam Stephens, returning from a lengthy injury break, saw yellow for being offside, sound tackling by centres Murphy and Dodd kept the attackers at bay. Their efforts were restricted to long range penalties from Williams, both wide of the mark.

When Gwernyfed turned defence into attack, Gareth Dodd’s probing kicks making good ground, Pentyrch showed just why they prefer to focus on speed when close encounters caused panic to the extent that penalties ensued, Gerwyn Williams opening up a six-point lead with kicks from wide out.

The home side, buoyed by the lead, drove hard down the middle and once halted the pack took up the cudgels, Jordan Curran, Ben Barrell and Alan Walker in the van. A lengthy spell of possession saw the Talgarth men advance a full thirty metres with a series of mauls, Stephens getting the final touch in what was a nine man try, scrum half Lewys Cooke orchestrating manoeuvres.

After Williams added the two points Gwernyfed committed the cardinal sin of relaxing, failing to secure the ball from the restart. Pentyrch’s attack was too sharp to spurn such an opportunity and right wing Dickens made no mistake, Moore’s conversion undoing all of the good work that had gone into the home side’s try. Skipper Andy Hill red the riot act but then showed just how to recover the situation, taking the ball from Cooke thirty meters out before beating three defenders, his try allowing Williams one of his simpler conversions.

As half-time approached a thirteen point lead looked useful and a long clearance from Dodd looked to secure the position. The defending winger was unchallenged but spilled the ball.

Big lock Alan Walker, having his best game, was alive to the possibilities and made good ground to scoop up the loose ball and canter over from twenty metres, Williams adding the two points as the half-time whistle went.

The second period saw Pentyrch exploiting their backs’ speed and in spite of some great defence gaps began to open. First centre Morris and then full back Paddison, the latter converted, broke the line to score good tries and with fifteen minutes to go and lock Dave Roberts side-lined for ten minutes it looked to be a case of holding on by the finger nails.

Step up Gerwyn Williams, one of the slighter backs on show but showing unerring accuracy with the boot. When Pentrych prevented a release inside Gwernyed’s half the ensuing penalty looked innocuous. However, from fifty metres Williams popped the kick over with plenty to spare, following that up with a second excellent three pointer that put the home side two scores ahead.

Nonetheless, even though Morris scored a try as the clock ticked down, the game was won, at last just deserts for Hill’s side.

On the adjoining pitch the Youth entertained Tonyrefail in the Blues Cup and put on a fine display, underpinning their status as league leaders with a 42-19 win that takes them through to the next round.