Gwernyfed 13 Clwb Rygbi Cymru Caerdydd 17.

GWERNYFED entertained Clwb Rygbi Cymru Caerdydd to Trefecca Road last Saturday and despite a sterling performance in the second half just failed to claw back a seventeen point deficit as time ran out.

CRCC were quick off the mark and dominated the early exchanges. After ten minutes some good field positions exploited by the class boot of outside half Oliver Jenkins saw their line out forwards take good ball and drive over the line to secure a try well converted by Jenkins.

Gwernyfed struggled to get out of their half and when they made good ground a loose ball was hacked through and their left winger slid over in the corner. Jenkins again put over the conversion with aplomb from wide out.

Now 14 points down the home side eventually, through good forward play, threatened the CRCC line only for frantic and well organised defence to thwart their close play.

On the half hour with a Gwernyfed forward spending a ten minute spell in the bin, the home side were relieved CRCC did not take advantage as their outside half again pinned them back and despite many attacks the home side held out till half time.

With a fourteen point deficit it was vital the the home side scored first but the CRCC outside half Jenkins slotted over a drop goal. Gwernyfed rallied and the game changed and the usual forays by the home forwards saw yards gained and the CRCC line threatened.

A Penalty yielded in front of the posts saw home full back Williams slot a penalty and from a series of re-set scrums, flanker Steve Harley ploughed over and with the conversion going wide Gwernyfed found themselves 8-17 down on the hour.

For the rest of the match and the pitch cutting up and the home sides crowd urging them on, Gwernyfed went close and a couple of backs moves almost broke the whitewash.

Valiant defence held the numerous charges to the try line and with ever tiring bodies and muddied faces it was apt that man of the match Ben Barrel eventually powered over and as the conversion drifted wide the referees whistle blew. Final score 13-17.

With the league rules dictating a bonus point if the losing side is within seven points Gwernyfed were well deserving of the final try scored for an immense second half effort equally matched by CRCC defence and as this is the sixth such losing bonus point earned it goes to show how close the side is from their opposition in many of their matches.

With the ground conditions very wet the home Athletic game was called off as was the Youth and Ladies.