Fixture

The Greens travelled to Ystradynlais for the second time within a month, this time for a league encounter. The Greens knew a tough challenge awaited them at Ynyscedwyn Road with the Swansea Valley team determined to exact revenge after two earlier defeats suffered at the hands of the visitors. Ystradgynlais started the game playing into the stiff breeze but it was the greens went on the attack immediately. A strong Greens scrum resulted in a penalty opportunity that scrum half Dafydd Jones converted at 3-0 Undaunted Ystradgynlais showed their intent early on and released their backs at every opportunity. This resulted in elusive winger Bowdy Davies collecting his own chip and chase to score a converted try under the posts at 3-7. A cracking drop goal by Greens’ outside half Rhys Williams rifled over from 40 yards reduced the deficit to 6-7, before an altercation involving half a dozen players held up play temporarily. At this point the Referee had no hesitation in producing the inevitable  yellow cards where  Greens’ hooker Steffan Weaver- Davies and Ystradgynlais outside half Gareth Jones were singled out for a ten minute sanction. After play resumed Ystradgynlais were awarded a penalty and following a successful kick by the home full back the Greens found themselves further behind at 6-10. This was the wakeup call the greens needed and following a superb lineout steal against the throw by second row Daniel Page, a backs move straight from coach Gareth Davies’ notebook gave centre Gareth Drewson an opening to power home from 40 meters. Dafydd Jones converted as the Greens leaped ahead at 13-10. The Ystradgynlais restart went straight out on the full giving the grizzly old Greens pack another chance to keep the ball in at scrum time whilst advancing. With their frustration increasing Ystradgynlais infringed at the set piece and up stepped Dafydd  Jones to convert another penalty for a half time score of 10-16.

Half Time : Ystradgynlais 10 - 16 Brynaman

Ystradgynlais looked the hungrier in the second half and sensed the Greens pack was tiring and  after a series of five yard lineouts they were able to score a well-rehearsed catch and drive to make the score 15-16. Coach Mark Jones sensed that fresh legs were needed and sent on two of the Greens’ biggest hitters in James Thomas and Grant Milne. Their impact was instant with some trademark big hits resulting in Ystrad gynlais coughing up possession. The Greens then surged forward deep into the Ystradgynlais in a move which caught the Ystrad defence offside. Dafydd Jones converted into the face of a hail shower as Bryn edged further ahead at 15-19. 

In a last desperate play Ystradgynlais looked like they were in for a try through speedster Bowdy Davies, only for veteran winger Dafydd  Moses to run 70 meters from the opposite wing to cut the Ystrad wing down in full flow. The Greens now hope to get centre Steffan Duggan and wing Tomos Powell back on the field before the end of the season after they sustained a couple of unfortunate injuries during what was a tough and competitive encounter. Next up

the Greens entertain Neath Athletic RFC on Saturday followed by a past and present reunion which marks the 60^th Anniversary of the Club’s first Tour to Southend on Sea in 1956.

Full Time : Ystradgynlais 15 - 19 Brynaman