Gwernyfed bounced back from last week’s last-minute cup defeat with a well earned bonus point victory against Bedwellty.

BEDWELLTY 14 - GWERNYFED 26

WRU DIVISION 4 EAST

The home side soon showed their intentions using their strong forwards to try to punch holes in the Gwernyfed defence but as usual the fringe defence led by back rowers Sam Stephens, Lewis Bowen and Will Eckley were not taking any backward steps as the gain line was rarely crossed. Backed up by the hard working second rowers Thomas Lloyd and Andrew Norris, the tackle area work rate success again was a definitive point in the afternoon’s play.

Gwernyfed were first on the scoresheet as the home backs tried to spread the ball wide, centre Jack Williams pressurised the midfield and picked up the loose ball to find winger Ieaun Thomas who outsprinted the covering defence to touch down in the corner, Gareth Dodds converting from the touchline.

A finely worked move on the centre saw Williams again heavily involved in the next try as he cut a fine inside line to brush a couple of tacklers off, desperate home defence saw him tackled metres short, however excellent scrum half Luke Eckley timed his pass to perfection as Prop Cellan Skyrme was unstoppable with a powerful direct run to touch down under the posts for a converted try.

The home side were immediately put back in the corner with a large trademark Dodds touchfinder. With Skyrme finding his man in the line-out, he touched down as the Gwernyfed eight rumbled their heavier opponents over the line, Dodds again converting to take the score to 21-0.

Bedwellty settled and with their elusive backs and desire to run the ball at every opportunity were a constant threat and some fine running saw their winger score a converted try to bring the score to 21-7.

The second half was a much more even affair. Gwernyfed were again first on the scoresheet as after several well orchestrated line-outs, eventually after desperate defence by the home side Cellan Skyrme touched down to record his well deserved hat-trick on the hour.

The last quarter saw the home eight dominate territory as they pounded the Gwernyfed line again and again with front rowers Prys Eckley and Craig Parry again putting big shifts as the Gwernyfed eight and the whole side put in a massive defensive performance, only allowing in one further score to take the final score to 14-26 to the Greens.

Another great performance saw Gwernyfed climb another place in the table as did the Athletic as news filtered through of a fine 44-19 win at Trefecca Road. Two full squads will enjoy their rests as the Six Nations starts and will be eagerly awaiting the resuming of league rugby in a couple of weeks.