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GWERNYFED  20   NELSON  31

 

GWERNYFED OUTGUNNED

 

 

After something of a lay-off Gwernyfed entertained table-topping Nelson with hopes of sustaining an unbeaten home record against a side that invariably plays good rugby. With a first minute try to their credit the omens looked good for Danny Skyrme’s men, but in the end the better side took control of an entertaining game.

 

Claiming the ball from the kick-off did not appear to have created much by way of an opening for the Talgarth side but a speculative chip through by Harry Rich found otherwise impressive full back Clabby dreaming, allowing Sam Stephens to touch down as reward for a valiant chase. Gerwyn Williams converted and the home support sensed that a shock result was on the cards.

 

From the re-start Nelson showed that they are a classy outfit. Fly half Paul Emanuelli bossed the show and was well supported by his three-quarters and full back Kurt Clabby who was always a danger. The Home pack stuck to the task but were forced to infringe and on three successive occasions Emanuelli coolly took three points to wrest the lead away from the hosts.

 

As half-time loomed a move down the left gave Clabby the opportunity to get on the score sheet with a well taken try, his effort nullified in part by a Williams penalty that reduced the arrears to four points as the whistle went on the forty minute mark.

 

Two tries in short order after the break effectively killed the game as far as Gwernyfed were concerned. First centre Ross Bevan cantered through to allow Emanuelli an easy conversion and then the forwards showed that they could notch up points as well, number 8 Matthew Williams scoring, Emanuelli extending the lead.

 

The deficit was no indication of Gwernyfed’s part in the game, but when the pack scented the line and formed a maul, young Craig Parry was the one with ball in hand as the home pack performed their party piece to perfection.

 

Emanuelli added a drop goal with fifteen minutes to go, whereupon Gwernyfed took the game back at nelson, scoring down the left through Zak Snape and very nearly wresting two bonus points from what had appeared to be a lost cause when everyone but the referee though that the maul had worked its charm again, Dave Roberts’s pack showing that they are no respecters of reputation by putting the visitors to the sword.

 

On a day when frost was the victor at most venues this was a good advert for the local game. However, good adverts are not always wins and the Trefecca Road coaching team will be working overtime this week to see that the undoubted effort and skill is translated into a win at Pentyrch next week.