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Walking back to the team bus in the Ceredigion gloom, Defensive coach Steve Harley
muttered to bystanders waiting to begin the homeward journey “I've never been one
for criticising referees -
But somewhere in the gloom and dismal surroundings an old fashioned encounter commenced where Gwernyfed Ladies ground out an attritional 43 – 7 win over Lampeter Ladies. From the kickoff Lampeter took the game to Gwernyfed, but what they did not realise was There is no point emerging for a mere 60 minutes against an effective and resourceful Gwernyfed, who Never at any stage did they look likely to lose their 100% start and they have now won their first seven division one matches. Patience was also a prerequisite against a distinctly physical Lampeter team with regular penalties from an over officious referee, so much so that the visiting team reneged their usual keenness to compete at the breakdown instead opting to fan at the breakdown and force handling errors in the driving rain.
From one such scrum the ball span with speed out to stand in No.10 Deb Martin whose skill saw her weave herself through a determined defense akin to the preverbal camel through the eye of a needle to score the opening try, for her pains Martin hobbled off just after the 10 minute mark.
Gwernyfed began to enjoy territorial dominance, and a second try in the corner by the resurgent El Pigden, who now oozes confidence since her first and solitary try two weeks previous, left would be tacklers sprawling to score. Gwernyfed then switched off and it was only a matter of time before Lampeter scored under the posts.
The game then swung permanently in Gwernyfed’s favour as inside centre Del Thomas powered through two weak tackles after taking Carys Ricketts’s miss pass just outside the 22, before stand in scrum half Megan Snape cut a delightful inside line from an initial loop pass to score, once converted the half time score of 17 – 7 to the visitors, and it stayed this way just prior to half time as Katie Price put in a match winning tackle that forced Lampeter to find another ball carrier, few volunteered seeing what could occur.
The second half was all Gwernyfed and it was only a matter of time before the next
score, but as the penalty count increased Supporters where baying for blood as Lampeter
at the tackle and ruck area got away with day light robbery that must be of interest
to every criminologist in the country. Frustrated but undeterred Gwernyfed looked
to move the ball and conditions did not prevent passes that stuck well in the hand,
it makes life a nightmare for any defence. Lampeter though had only themselves to
blame when Number 8 Snape left three would-
It was a game full of honest endeavor and some controlled passing. Ball carrying forwards Di Workman and Kirsten Bishop were exceptional going forward as they began a long score for flying wing Kayliegh Rees and as Del Thomas was decisive as pivot popped the ball to Nic Haines who now was outside centre following a team shuffle, Haines now with more confidence looked for runners and ever present speedster Kayliegh Rees made ground, time and time again. Not to be out done a strong effort from the two Rosie, Jones and Snape were phenomenal from a defensive point of view and contact area, Defence being the order of the day Builth Bullet Kirsty Prosser forwent duties on the wing to dispense potent tackles that invigorated a stubborn defence, that has only been crossed 4 times this season.
Man of the match No.8 Lily Snape grounded down her opposite number, a player who loves contact saw this as just another day at the office and the weather suited her style of play bouncing reticent tacklers aside when she picked up from a scrum from 10 metres out. Lampeter were then stretched in defense when Snape scored her second try, a simple miss pass 5 metres from the line she trotted easily under the posts. In the final minute of the match, the gloom was lit up with a solo try from the visitors own 22 as a simple tap penalty allowed Captain Megan Snape to sprint free from a despairing defense to score once converted the final score read Lampeter 7 – 43 Gwernyfed.
Post match, Coach Gordon Snape was happy explaining to his players that Games of this standard always ebb and flow and are always decided by small margins. It is definitely the case here and as far as work rate and effort is concerned, he can’t fault his players
Lampeter Ladies (7) v Gwernyfed Ladies (43)
