Plate

NEXT ACTION AT TREFECCA ROAD:

A magnificent season for Gwernyfed Ladies fans did not get what they deserved as Croesyceiliog spluttered over the finishing line winning 0 -10. There was no lack of passion from both teams, and unfamiliarity of each other or the cold weather did not dull their [Gwernyfed’s] instincts, but a lessons was learnt by Gwernyfed who were slow to start, that given the opportunity, thieves will sneak in overnight and steal all the art, as Sunday showed with this attritional game. It was a shame in a number of respects as Gwernyfed had run in a total of 60 tries through the season from all areas of the pitch but where constricted on this occasion. Take away the opening 10 minutes when both tries where conceded, then the slender nature of their winning margin on Sunday was almost criminal given the development in progress of the Green and black scrum.

Maybe that was why Gordon, stood stony-faced on the bench after the final whistle, chin in hand, like a frustrated master craftsman who has set out to create a classic piece and ended up presiding over a frustrated compromise. He insisted later that he was happy enough. Within Snape, either way, lurks a little bit of Brian Clough and a dash of José Mourinho. Here is a man who understands his players but also knows the value of keeping them, and others, on their toes. Stating to the girls credit at the end of match debrief “I’m not a hero but I’m surrounded by hero’s”

The pre-match message to the players highlighted the need to dominate in defence, and to a man they did, what Gwernyfed lacked was that killer instinct in attack, and so it came to pass.

When Croesyceiliog were reduced to 14 men by a yellow card for the second row for a foolish tackle on scrum half Sain Dyke, the normally ruthless “Greens” did not take advantage of numerical superiority.

The closing moments were more tense than expected, with both teams slugging it out in mid field neither defence gave way and both teams where ground down to a standstill, its true to say Gwernyfed did have their chances, and for a dropped pass, a moment of indecisiveness or option choice the score could of been different. Nevertheless there is a new dawn at Treffeca Road, the girls were not out muscled by a more formidable side and the front five where heroic in the scrum, with hooker Di Workman producing her best every game, which on this occasion is scant consolation and Kirsty Prosser gave an assured display at full-back.

Captain Megan Snape was left to reflect on what might have been "We weren't in the game for the first 15 minutes," she said. "We were very flat and had no dynamism, still we have come a long way in two seasons, further than I ever thought”.

The Backs coach, Gareth East, like all the coaches is proud of the development to date, “a season ago that would have been a 50 point drubbing, the girls have come on so far, it’s up to the coaching staff to develop the players game scene, the backs are beginning to develop into a formidable unit”.

This lament will be the turning point, as so much can be learnt from a timey defeat, and with games still to come in the league and the bowl as those not mentioned know, the future is bright, the future is Green, black and White.

Gwernyfed Ladies (0) v Croesyceiliog Ladies (10)