GWERNYFED welcomed Vale of Glamorgan side Pontyclun to Trefecca Road and came away with a narrow victory in a tough encounter to avenge a defeat earlier in the season.
It was obvious from the first scrum that Gwernyfed usual dominance in this area was not going to be and with the Pontyclun backs looking very accomplished it was going to be an evenly matched game.
It was Gwernyfed who were first on the scoring sheet as full back Gegs Williams slotted a penalty as the home side pressed in the first quarter.
Pontyclun rarely out of their half did manage to equal the scores with a penalty.
Outside half Gareth Dodds was a major factor as his powerful spiralling kicks pushed the Pontyclun team back and after setting up a good position it was Dodds who powered his way past his opposite number side stepped the fullback to touch down under the posts for a converted try.
Williams again took advantage and potted a further penalty from wide out to take the game into halftime at 13-3 to the homeside.
The second half saw Pontyclun rally and use their elusive backs at every oppotunity.
Time and again they looked to spread the ball but a feature recently has been the home sides resolute defence.
Centres Duffy and Skyrme were rock solid again and one particular crunching cover tackle saw Skyrme dislodge the ball as a try looked on.
With any ball driven around the fringes the home side stood firm and again solid tackles saw the ball spilled numerous times.
Up front the scrums were now edging Gwernyfed’s way with young James Brute in particular managing his larger ex-Cardiff counterpart and leading the solid front row of Craig Parry and Aaron Nicholls.
Fullback Willaims who had a fine game looked to counter and a deft catch and kick saw good ground made and when the referee awarded the penalty he duly converted to take the home side into 16-3 lead on the hour.
Pontyclun rallied and eventually they scored wide out with the conversion succesful the home crowd were left with a tense final 10 minutes as Pontyclun looked for a way through but with the home side only having conceded one try in their previous four matches they held firm as the referee blew the final whistle.
16-10 victory which sees the green and blacks jump into the top half of the league and unbeaten in five matches.
Next week’s game sees a trip to Pentyrch who hopefully will be able to start the game contested in the front row this time and Gwernyfed can obtain their first double of the season.
The Athletic travelled to Abergavenny and took part in an entertaining game.
Try scorers Cellan Skyrme and Levi Phillips were amongst several Senior Youth players in the side they put up a great performance going down 40-26 further tries being scored by Cameron Phillips and Andrew Griffiths with Jamie Griffiths converting two.
Abersychan are the visitors next week in the first round of the Ivor Jones cup and a good run is anticipated as the second half of the season unfolds.