Fixture

Neath Athletic  9  Brynaman   15    

Once again the Greens left it late to secure victory at Cwrt Herbert after a tough and typically determined challenge from the homesters. As ever the fixture held extra significance due to the continued appearance of ex Greens flanker Ian Thomas in Neath Athletic ranks. From the outset it was clear that there would be no repeat of the Greens’ comfortable victory earlier in the season, where the slippery underfoot conditions and resolute defence of the home team contributed to a very frustrating afternoon for Bryn. Despite some strong and powerful surges by flanker Andy Green, Bryn failed to sustain any momentum, and as a result field position was lost time and again through a series of unforced errors. Finally on the half hour mark a blindside pick up and pass by Joel Spurway led to a full back Josh Ferriman slicing through the Athletic defence for a well worked try and a 5-0 lead. Any thoughts that Bryn had finally cracked the Athletic resolve were soon dispelled five minutes later when a penalty goal by outside half Peter Thomas cut the deficit to 5-3. 

Half Time: Neath Athletic  3 Brynaman  5

Early in the second period Bryn suffered yet another serious injury setback as flanker Shaun Caddell became the latest long term casualty with what appeared to be a broken forearm. Bryn’s woes were then compounded further as the referee produced two yellow cards reducing Bryn to 14 men for a full quarter. Athletic immediately took full advantage of the disruption in Bryn’s ranks and landed a further brace of penalties for a lead of 9-5. With the game now approaching the final quarter Bryn’s chances of victory looked remote but with just over ten minutes remaining the Greens finally managed to up the tempo. Replacement scrum half Dafydd Jones pulled Bryn back to 8-9 with a sweetly struck penalty goal before Bryn surged forward from the restart with renewed vigour. Outside half Craig Jones’s powerful charges now seemed to gain an extra yard, and after a sustained period of phase play Athletic in the Athletic 22, Bryn centre Kevin Jones finally applied the ‘coup de grace’ powering through the last line of defence for the defining score. Dafydd Jones added the extras as Bryn led 15-9 with injury time approaching. Although still within one score Athletic now looked a defeated team and as a result Bryn were able to close down the phases accurately and secure a hard fought win.

Full Time:   Neath Athletic  9  Brynaman  15

Brynaman Scorers:-

2 Tries  – Josh Ferriman & Kevin Jones

1 Penalty – Dafydd Jones

1 Conversion – Dafydd Jones