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GWERNYFED  19   ABERDARE  0

 

THEY SHALT NOT PASS

 

If ever there was a victory founded upon adversity, this was it. Weakened by injuries and suspensions, Gwernyfed expected to have to defend against what is always a competitive Cynon Valley side. Not only did they deny Aberdare a score, an unbreachable barrier provided a platform for a well-deserved win.

 

From the start the visitors showed their intent. Their heavy men ploughed up the middle, number eight Lewis being ever-ready to attack around the base of both set piece and loose play. Not once did the attackers make headway, David Roberts as pack leader managing a superb defensive formation in which Richard East, Jon Davies and Tom Davies featured high on the tackle roll of honour.

 

The green, white and black front row of veteran James Handiside, Jon Davies, normally a flanker, and young Craig Parry who had a mighty impressive game, battled manfully and when they delivered possession, half backs Mark Price and skipper Danny Skyrme pushed the ball forward. Aberdare relied upon the heavy mob tin response and, becoming frustrated, committed offences at regular intervals. The coolest man on the field, home fifteen Nathan Roberts, capitalised when opportunity arose and by half-time had kicked three penalties to open up an unlikely lead.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second period opened with Gwernyfed on the front foot, centres Steve Harley, another man having to play out of position, and Josh Griffiths making inroads. Good work by George Barden and Lewis Bowen secured ball on the ground, Skyrme spun the ball wide and wing Zak Snape took a good line to show the visitors how to penetrate with an impressive try.

 

 

Aberdare reacted to the score with a ferocious assault on the home line but Roberts and his pack were not about to surrender advantage. Had the visitors possessed a ‘Plan B’, things may have gone in a different direction. As it was, with the fresh legs of Gareth Davies and Jordan Curran shoring up the defensive wall, The Cynon Valley men became completely frustrated and the outcome looked inevitable.

 

As a last gasp Aberdare threw everything into the pot, the reaction from Skyrme’s valiant men to play the ball out of defence, in the process engineering a narrow corridor down the left wing which impressive speedster Andrew Hill exploited to run the ball in from fifty metres, cementing a marvellous victory.

 

The win owed a huge amount to the coaching of Colin Rees, Alun Phillips, Huw Jones, Des Parry and Mike Eckley, their thoughtful approach to using the resources available to them rewarded by Skyrme and his men. Another tough challenge awaits, unbeaten Llanishen the visitors to Trefecca Road next week. The sizeable crowd will return hoping for as impressive a show.