Fixture

Brynaman 34   Aberavon Green Stars  7   

Saturday 18th October 2014

With confidence riding high after last week’s dismantling of struggling Glyncorrwg, it was clear from the first kick off that the visitors were going to be in for a torrid afternoon. Crisp passing along the three-quarter line immediately worked an overlap for right wing Owain Sullivan and although good  cover defence appeared to have scuppered the opportunity, a sublime reverse pass allowed centre Steffan Duggan  to canter over unopposed. Returning scrum half Dafydd Jones effortlessly converted from the touchline as Bryn led 7-0. With Bryn’s standout performer Andy Green pummelling the visitors’ fringe defence into submission, it was no surprise when Bryn were awarded two penalties in quick succession. Dafydd Jones landed both successfully as Bryn extended the lead to 13-0. Having struggled to exit their own half throughout the first half hour, the visitors finally threw off the shackles and swarmed into the Bryn 22. However a try saving turnover by Neath RFC bound prop Dafydd Hopkins saved the day for Bryn and outside half Craig Jones cleared to touch as the referee blew for half time.

Half Time: Brynaman  13 Aberavon Green Stars  0

After the break and with their set piece dominance reasserted, Bryn once again piled on the pressure. Good approach play by second row Chris Bartholomew forced the visitors to over commit at the breakdown and when the ball was eventually worked clear, blind side flanker Andy Green proved unstoppable as he rampaged over the line for Bryn’s second try. Dafydd Jones added the extras as Bryn scented victory at 20-0. To their credit the visitors continued to run the ball from every opportunity and a quick tap penalty move looked to have caught Bryn off-guard. Crucially for Bryn ever alert centre Steffan Duggan intercepted a potential try scoring pass on half way and raced home for his second try. Dafydd Jones added the conversion from underneath the posts as Bryn were now out of sight at 27-0. With the result now beyond doubt Bryn relaxed somewhat and refusing to give in the visitors somehow engineered a converted try reducing the deficit to 27-7. Disappointingly the game then reverted to passive scrums for the last quarter as the visitors’ injury toll continued to mount. Sensing that something special was needed to secure the try-bonus, player coach Craig Jones then conjured up a superbly weighted chip which centre Paul Taylor gathered skilfully just outside the visitors’ 22. With the Bryn pack driving him on to the loud roar of the home support, the maul surged forward before eventually being collapsed five yards out. With the referee seemingly poised to award a penalty, flanker Andy Green exploded out of the melee and crashed over for his second try. With the try bonus secured Dafydd Jones then wrapped up proceedings with his fourth conversion for a final score of 34-7.

Tries:  Steffan Duggan (2)  Andy Green (2)

Cons:  Dafydd Jones (4)

Pens:  Dafydd Jones (2)