Gwernyfed RFC © 2012. All rights reserved. Website managed by www.viewwebdesign.co.uk
Gwernyfed with thoughts on the league title made more unforced errors than usual,
but commenced from the kick off with high tempo and a fervour to overcome their visitors
Sea View Ravens, and as early as the 8th Minute after a bullocking run from second
row Katie Price and slick hands from the backs a two man overlap put Carys Ricketts
over for a try only to be ruled out for the slimmest of forward passes. Still on
the front foot and in front of an expectant and boisterous crowd “the Greens” kept
the pressure up and not long after, Captain Megan Snape quickness of thought from
a tap penalty had her sprinting 15 metres clear to secure the opening try, once converted
by Del Thomas the crowd expected more of the same, but Sea View battled back and
scored their own opening try with a linking backline move that allowed the visitors
to score in the corner. This was the shape of things to come; the crowd was further
silenced as The Ravens No.8 picked up to score their second try of the match. Now
under the cosh, thankfully for Gwernyfed the visitors pack kept taking the ball up
the centre, and time and again the ball was stolen by No.8 Lily Snape, “If there’s
one thing you don’t do is run at Lily with the ball, there is only one winner and
it is not you” explained defensive coach Steve Harley, this stemmed the tide as too
did tenacious tackling from flanker Harry Jones and the resident Builth Bullet Kirsty
Prosser so slowly and surely the tap-
Into the second half and by the end this enthralling match the lead will have changed hands a total of five times. Fitness was now a key issue, as clever kicking by the Ravens No.15 pinned back Gwernyfed’s attacks, on numerous occasions, and with injuries occurring due to the slippery surface and stout tackling by both sides, off came wing Kayliegh Rees to be replaced by El Pigden and Roz Price found herself in unfamiliar territory of the forwards but both played their part.
Line outs where a rare commodity and Nic Haines secured her ball, fast and secure handling broke the line Running second row Rosie Jones, partially broke the line and with the silkiest of pops set up substitute Jess Bailey to charge to the line, thwarted by hard tackling a ruck formed just short of the Ravens line Prop Rosie Snape and Hooker Di Workman secured the ball, in the fading light an archetypal props try that had Loosehead Kirsten Bishop diving over from less than a metre out (but as all those from the front row union know, this will grow in distance as time passes). Once in the lead again one would think that would be that, but Gwernyfed contrived to allow the Ravens back into the game with an intercepted try. Honors even again at 17 – 17. Then into the 48th minute El Pigden in space ran courageously up field, only to be high tackled, so high it nearly missed! A penalty, most rugby officiardios would plumb for a kick into touch and take a well earned draw, life is not that simple. A tap by Captain Snape, a dart to the line, draw pass, pass again an in under the posts Carys Ricketts for her second try of the day, opposition players slumped to their knees as Coaches Snape and Harley begin to cavort a strange highland jig, with the points in the bag and a 100% record who would be a coach.
Gwernyfed Ladies (22) v Sea View (17)
The sigh of relief was tangible when in the marathon second half in the 48th minute the referee blow for an infringement giving the game and the league title to Gwernyfed, but there’s more to the story and the match than that. The game itself was a hotly fought contest between two sides fighting to be top dog in the WRU Division 1.
