Both of Gwernyfed’s First and Athletic teams travelled to good effect, the latter moving up to second place in the Dragons League with a 43-10 win at Garndiffaith, the senior side completing the double over old rivals RTB Ebbw Vale to maintain their 100 per cent league record.

Both sides came away with seven tries after a very satisfactory afternoon that demonstrated strength of rugby at Gwernyfed at present.

The Athletic, led admirably as always by Jamie Coles, were slated to entertain Monmouth at The Brian Jones Field. The visitors cried off early on Saturday at which point Fixture Sec Ian Hill and Team Manager James Evans MS swung into action and arranged a league fixture at Garndiffaith. Their efforts were rewarded with a fine performance from a side peppered with experience (the likes of Gerwyn Williams, Dave Roberts, Zack Snape, Darren Roe and Sam Stephens having plenty of games under their belt) helping some promising youngsters getting involved with the dark arts of second team rugby early in their senior careers.

Scores came regularly with centre Will Powell crossing twice, giant lock Harry Rushcrashing over and newly transferred Alfie Thomas getting their names on the score sheet. Speedster Ieaun Thomas touched down with the try scoring completed by Elis Evans and Sam Stephens whose return after a lengthy absence due to farming commitments showed that he had lost nothing by way of skill and strength. Zack Snape potted four conversions, icing on a great result that paves the way for the visit of Chepstow Druids in a fortnight.

RTB EBBW VALE 16 - GWERNYFED 49

Report by Peter Weavers

At Hilltop, Ebbw Vale, Joe Winfield’s men expected a warm welcome and were not disappointed. Gwernyfed’s record, this their 31st league game without defeat, makes them rather a target for sides looking to cause a shock and RTB were no different, tearing into attack in an opening 10 minutes that had home fly half Purnell opening the scoring with a penalty.

Gwernyfed struck back immediately when Winfield pushed a penalty conceded from the restart into the corner, Cellan Skyrme’s throw to Geraint Powell at the back was unerring, the maul then driven over with Skyrme getting the final touch. Joe Winfield slotted the first of seven successful conversions.

RTB did take advantage of some indiscipline in the green, white and black ranks, excellent number 10 Purnell landing two more three pointers as a result, these sandwiching a try by Gwernyfed’s powerful number eight, Lloydd Powell. The Hay man was at the end of a series of charges that had seen them come close, but when Powell received the ball five metres out with only three men in front of him, the outcome was inevitable.

Left wing Calum Fergusson dotted down the third, courtesy of a sublime pass from his captain, Winfield, who added the two points from the touchline, The bonus point, fourth, try came just before the break when lock Tom Lloyd got the reward his work in attack and defence deserved by forcing over for a try that rather knocked the stuffing out of an RTB side shortly after they had reduced the arrears with a seven pointer of their own.

The second period was something of a procession, Gwernyfed restricted to three tries by some stout defence, a few self-inflicted errors and a referee whose whistle was never far from his lips, not least when he brought affairs to a close after 70 minutes. Nonetheless, the foreshortened second half saw some excellent rugby.

Within minutes of the restart, scrum half Luke Eckley found fly half Tyler Morris 30 metres out. Morris had centre Gethin Davies coming at pace which spells trouble for any defence and though the Hay man was slowed just short, he turned to offer wing Will Lloyd the chance to mark his first game after honeymooning with a trademark swallow dive over.

The sixth try was rather more workmanlike with prop Dan Stroud almost celebrating his first game in green, white and black after his move from Seven Sisters with a try, his effort backed up by Geraint Powell who scored from close in. The final score was an opportunist try by outside centre Ryan Davies who picked up a loose ball on his own 22 and outpaced the defence to score in the corner. Faced with another difficult conversion, Winfield’s kick bisected the posts once again, completing a masterclass of place kicking.

A thoroughly enjoyable and successful afternoon on a day made for rugby was celebrated by the 30 players and the large number of travelling supporters. A home friendly against Division 2 side Cwmbran beckons next weekend before both Chepstow sides arrive at The Brian Jones Memorial Field on the last day of the month. Chepstow’s senior side are serious promotion challengers and the result should bring some clarity to the eventual outcome of league honours.