Gwernyfed RFC © 2012. All rights reserved.                                                                            Website managed by www.viewwebdesign.co.uk

GWERNYFED (18) v DOWLAIS (14)

 

GWERNYFED SURVIVE YELLOW FEVER

 

The man at the centre of this game in more ways than one was referee Julian Smith. There was no doubting Mr Smith’s ability, he was adept at spotting every offence and neither side could complain that the whistle should not have been blown. However, his constant recourse to the yellow card reduced what was otherwise a hard-fought and enjoyable game.

 

Both sides find themselves in mid table, a fact borne out by the first quarter when play was confined to the area between the 22 metre line. Gwernyfed enjoyed a three point lead thanks to a huge penalty from Gareth Dodd, this representing the difference between the sides with visiting fly half Williams missing two simple kicks.

 

The war of attrition continued with the occasional foray down the left by Andrew Hill for Gwernyfed interrupting what developed into a battle between the packs, a scenario relished by the Trefecca Road men and exploited by some fine work by Steve Harley, Richard East and Tom Davies.

 

In the set pieces the home front row of Will Griffiths, Craig Fuller and Craig Parry had the nudge and Sam Stephens was king of the line out, winning Dowlais ball at regular intervals. The Merthyr men were forced to infringe, Dodd penalising the indiscretion once again.

 

As the game wore on referee Smith’s patience became short, the visitors seeing two yellow cards and Steve Harley taking an enforced rest for the home side. Gwernyfed capitalised upon the advantage with a try from a rolling maul, Fuller completing the drive and Dodd converting as the half-time whistle blew.

 

From the restart Gwernyfed, now playing against a strong wind, won a penalty. Dodd prodded the ball within ten metres and once again a Stephens take was the platform for a maul that saw Jordan Curran touch down at the start of what was to be an interesting 30 minutes or so for the Talgarth youngster.

 

Dowlais inevitably used the wind to maintain territorial advantage and then proceeded to deploy their heavy men in an attempt to break the defensive wall. Gwernyfed stood strong and gave no ground, the pack tackling everything that moved and when the ball was spread skipper Danny Skyrme and the prodigal Chris O’Brien flattened the opposition centres.

 

The only fly in the ointment was the accelerating rate at which Mr Smith reached into his pocket. Curran and Stephens took enforced breaks but still the gallant six held out, the young front rowers tackling magnificently for the hone side. The dam was  breached with fifteen minutes to go when the ball was moved down the blindside for scrum half Huw Williams to touch down, James Quirk’s conversion offering hope, but then the full frontal assault resumed.

 

With five minutes remaining, by now David Roberts also seeing yellow, Curran was given another yellow and therefore saw red, reducing the ranks to twelve. Dowlais smelled blood and would have scored but for a marvellous cover tackle by Gareth Dodd and some outstanding work on the floor from Steve Harley.

 

As the seconds dribbled away the blunderbuss tactic finally paid off, the gallant twelve unable to prevent Jason Pinch from rumbling over, but Quirk’s conversion was academic as the final blast signalled a well-deserved victory for the green, white and blacks.

 

The good form of the Athletic was sustained with a fifty point victory over Usk, stand-in skipper James Aplin showing that his try hat-trick last week was no fluke, the Llangorse man bagging another pair in what was an all round excellent performance.

 

With a bye in the Swalec Plate, Gwernyfed will re-group and nurse their injuries before the resumption of what is proving to be a hard and unpredictable campaign.