Fixture

'Evergreen' Clive gives Ystrad the Blues!

Brynaman 30  Ystradgynlais  10

After three Saturday’s of inactivity due to the weather, the Greens finally were able to entertain second placed Ystradgynlais. Parc y Gwter fawr looked immaculate !

Despite being near neighbours, Ystradgynlais have become very rare opponents over the last few years. In fact one has to go back over a decade to Season 2003/04 for the last competitive fixture, which was in National League Division 3 South West. On that occasion the Greens were victorious by 22-5 where amazingly four of the team are included in today’s squad.

Full teams as per programme 4^th October 2003 were as follows:-

Brynaman- Craig Jones,Wayne Jones,Martin Lewis, Huw Morgan, Dafydd Moses, Grant Jones, Rhodri Morgan, Dewi Slyman, Paul Morris, Chris James, James Bush,

Gareth H Williams, Paul Ahearne, Sion Slyman, Clive Llewelyn ©

Ystradgynlais- C.Phillips, R Davies, ADeMelverda, M Holsworth, L Morgan,A Davies, S Harries, R Evans, J Evans, D Watkins, C Jones, M Burgess,

C Thomas, P Dyson, D David ©

This year all the pre-match talk was of Ystrad’s superb set of backs and well drilled pack, but on the day they were no match to the all-round strength of the Greens’ 20 man squad. In a major confidence booster, the Greens were able to welcome back Dafydd Hopkins, Sion Slyman and Gethyn Bugler after lengthy absences to the starting fifteen. Visitors Ystrad started the brighter and their pressure enabled them to take a 3-0 lead. This fired up the greens and from the kick off the aggressive greens pack turned over the ball and some strong carries from the man of the match Clive Llewelyn, Bugler and Hopkins enabled Jonny Bevan to power home under the sticks. Outside half Rhys Williams converted at 7-3.The greens turned on their power game at scrum time which put Ystrad on the back foot and gained the greens a penalty that Williams converted for a lead of 10-3. Some more carries by the now rampant Green pack and wing Gareth Drewson created another opening and full back Luc Rees sliced through the Ystrad centres to go under the sticks once again. Williams converted extending the Greens advantage to 17-3.

Half Time: Brynaman 17  Ystradgynlais  3

The Greens took a few minutes get going during the second half  and conceded an early converted try, as Ystrad clawed their way back to  17-10.  This was the wakeup call the greens needed and soon the green eight went rampaging once again, at the now battered and bruised Ystrad pack, producing excellent service for scrum half Lee Evans. Relentless pressure at scrum forced Ystrad to cough up another penalty, and outside half Williams slotted over another three pointer at 20-10. By now Ystrad’s ill-discipline was costing them dear and after a few more searing forward drives, a neat backs move created the overlap for chief poacher Owain Sullivan to cross out wide for the third Brynaman try. The greens were now searching for the bonus point try but from the kick off Dan Page fumbled. Undaunted the green pack turned over the ball at scrum time once again and after a well weighted kick downfield and some more forward carries the mercurial Rhys Williams was able to cross for the all-important bonus point try 30-10.

This was the best greens team performance of the season to date and hopefully the good form can carry on for the visit to Penlan RFC next Saturday.

Full Time : Brynaman 30  Ystradgynlais  10

Man of the Match - Clive Llewelyn