Gwernyfed 10 St Peters 19

IT says something for the determination of the men of Gwernyfed that they managed to host three senior games on a day when torrential rain and gale force winds saw much Welsh rugby postponed.

Thanks to some great work by the groundsman conditions underfoot were good and a robust game ensued with visitors St Peters taking home the spoils on a day when rugby was the winner.

Inevitably it was the forwards who held the spotlight on a day when sophistication had to give way to pragmatism. The packs were evenly matched with the lighter home front row of James Brute, Craig Fuller and Craig Parry holding their own against their bigger opponents by virtue of technique. However, that was as nought when the visitors used the maul after a line out, opening the score when hooker Cole touched down.

For most of the first half play was concentrated in the middle of the pitch and scoring opportunities were few. A Gerwyn Williams penalty was all that the home side had to show for forty minutes worth of effort, not enough to neutralise a converted try by the visitors that ensured a nine point interval lead.

Playing against the wind but with the slope after the break Gwernyfed got out of the traps more quickly than the Cardiffians and created a number of chances with the pack at the fore.

St Peters defended well until the green, white and blacks used their own rolling maul to good effect, Craig Fuller getting his name on the scoresheet with the whole eight to thank. Williams converted and the scene was set for a battle royal.

For thirty minutes the game swung from end to end. Objectively St Peters had just about the best of the exchanges but great defensive work, skipper Sam Stephens and veteran Steve Harley leading by example, kept the visitors out.

At the other end Williams charged down a defensive clearance and just failed to collect the rebound in what may otherwise have been the winning move.

The final result was determined by a try earned as much by perseverance as inspiration, a series of drives by the big Cardiff forwards being repulsed only for number eight Daniel Jenkins to pop out of the back of a maul and plunge over, the conversion robbing Gwernyfed of a bonus point that their efforts deserved.

On the adjoining pitch the Athletic XV extended their winning league sequence to six games with a 24-13 victory over a game Chepstow side. An early try by Owen Humphries looked to signal a landslide but although scores from Barry Price, Gareth Dodd and Sam Williams left the result in no doubt, the visitors never gave up and reduced the arrears with the last move of the game.

Gwernyfed Youth XV illustrated the shape of things to come as a very young side marshalled by Carwyn Phillips beat Dowlais 43-17. On Sunday Gwernyfed hosted yet another game when Whitland Ladies beat the green, white and blacks 22-10 in a Welsh Premiership in a game that spoke volumes for the standard of play that is on offer in this league.