Fixture

Brynaman  33  Neath Athletic  0

With the visitors’ unbeaten and joint top of the table after three straight wins, on paper this looked like another tough assignment for a Bryn side still searching for their first league victory of the season. However the Greens soon dispelled any fears of another loss and immediately took the game to the visitors with a rousing start. Good link play by centre Paul Taylor, ably supported by prop Steffan Weaver-Davies put the Athletic under early pressure and within five minutes the visitors were forced to concede their first penalty. Outside half Craig Jones slotted calmly for a 3-0 lead. With Bryn back on the attack following a poor restart the home pack were once again caught offside at the ruck. Craig Jones then doubled the lead with his second penalty at 6-0. More good approach play by second row Chris Bartholomew and prop Dewi  Slyman soon created further confusion in the visitors defence with the  Athletic backline drawn offside Bryn were awarded their third penalty. Once again Craig Jones landed his kick successfully as the lead was increased to 9-0. With the Bryn pack now firmly in control the pressure on the visitors was building ominously. An outrageous reverse pass by flanker Shaun Caddell linking with scrum half Kieron Bennett almost led to Bryn’s first try, but some desperate defence just managed to stop Bryn’s progress five yards short.  With half time approaching No8 Joel Spurway launched another of his trademark attacks with a rampaging run from the base of the scrum taking him deep into the visitors 22. Frustratingly for Bryn however, the final pass was somehow deflected and although second row Daniel Page just about managed to regain possession, Bryn were beaten by the clock as the referee blew for half time.

Shortly after the break a magical chip ahead by outside half Craig Jones completely bewildered the visitors defence and having skilfully re-gathered possession his swift offload then pinpointed prop Dewi Slyman galloping in support. Another neat pass followed before No8 Joel Spurway raced home for a brilliant try at 14-0. With the visitors now being harassed at every breakdown it seemed only a matter of time before Bryn would score again. Shunted back by some huge tackling by flanker Grant Milne, Athletic were forced to concede a five yard scrummage. Following a huge initial shove by the Bryn pack the Athletic scrum was visibly creaking and although a pushover try seemed quite likely No8 Joel Spurway opted for the pick-up and pass to outside half Craig Jones who crashed over for a hugely deserved try. This time centre Steff Duggan added the extras as Bryn led 21-0. Bryn’s elusive young wing Owain Sullivan almost added to Bryn’s tally minutes later following a sublime outside break by centre Steff Duggan. Just inches short and having skilfully avoided the touchline Bryn switched play once more. With the visitors on the back foot centre Paul Taylor then took full advantage to power over for Bryn’s third try. Craig Jones added the conversion for a lead of 28-0. With time swiftly running out the disheartened visitors were then forced into conceding yet another five yard scrum. This time there was no holding back the rampant Greens pack and with Athletic driven back over the whitewash replacement No 8 Paul Rumming touched down for Bryn’s fourth try. With a final score of 33-0 Bryn’s season is finally up and running.