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GWERNYFED  (18)  v   FAIRWATER  (23)

 

 

LAST GASP TRY MAKE THE DIFFERENCE

 

With the return game against old rivals Brecon looming, Gwernyfed looked have secured a

confidence-boosting victory as the referee prepared to whistle for full time. Fairwater’s never-say-die attitude frustrated the best laid plans by running in a splendid try from the deep to send the Talgarth men to Parc de Pugh searching for their first win in 2012.

 

The game was played in the gloom and as befitted the weather, much of the play was focussed upon a dour forward battle of ruck and maul. The aficionados enjoyed the close encounters, but those with expansive play as their wont also had something to smile about with both sides scoring sublime tries to break up the gruel served up by the forwards.

 

The early exchanges were played out in the middle of the park and were characterised by much whistle and little by way of continuity. The referee was clearly intent upon stamping his authority and this meant that every time a ruck was formed one side was deemed to have transgressed.

 

Fairwater took the lead courtesy of Foley’s penalty when yet another ruck was met by the shrill blast. Much worse was to come for the Trefecca Road outfit when Prop Will Griffiths was treated to the sight of Cardiff studs and spent the rest of the afternoon being stitched up; ironically not an offence in the referee’s opinion.

 

The loss of the influential Griffiths seemed to spur Gwernyfed and Dave Roberts and his pack tore at the Fairwater line, forcing various indiscretions that eventually saw hooker Leigh see yellow. The manpower advantage was quickly seized when Sam Stephens took a good line out, returning the ball to hooker Craig Fuller who crashed over with ample support. Gerwyn Williams converted from wide out to extend the lead.

 

As the first half petered out the Gwernyfed backs showed what they are capable of, young Harry Rich starting the move that involved Darren Roe and then Gareth Dodd who timed his pass to Andy Hill perfectly, the flyer going in from thirty metres.

 

A Williams penalty extended the lead early in the second half but this signalled the commencement of a sustained onslaught by the huge visiting pack. There was nothing subtle about the manner of their approach but it was hugely effective and, in spite of impressive defending by every man in green, white and black, tries by locks Ellis and Foley were all but unstoppable.

 

With ten minutes to go another drive was stopped foul means and Foley opted for the three points that gave the visitors the lead. Things looked as bleak as the weather for the home side but from the restart Lewis Bowen stole the ball, made good headway only to be felled by a high tackle which allowed Williams to coolly slot home what should have been the winning points.

 

Fairwater drove manfully but their every effort was frustrated and when Danny Skyrme cleared the ball deep into injury time the win looked secure. Visiting full back Rhys Williams thought otherwise and moved the ball through his backs, winger Theaker finishing off a thrilling move. Foley’s conversion was the last action and Gwernyfed were condemned to the meagre consolation of a bonus point.

 

The Trefecca Road coaching team will be working overtime to prepare for the game at Brecon, their efforts being closely watched by what will no doubt be a large travelling contingent for the

much-anticipated local derby.