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ATHLETIC ENJOY THEIR DAY IN THE SUN

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 08:10:35 GMT

DRAGONS BOWL SEMI FINAL

GWERNYFED ATHLETIC 72

GARNDIFFAITH GORILLAS 15

With the senior side having stormed to their Divisional Championship, Jamie Coles’s Athletic side reached the semi final of the Dragons League Bowl and entertained Garndiffaith Gorillas on an afternoon made for running rugby. The green, white and blacks took advantage of the conditions, showing fleet of foot that the visitors’ defence failed to combat, a final in Newport the reward for a twelve try romp.

It didn’t take long for the blitz to begin, lock Matt Rolfe showing speed of thought and foot to pick up and run in from 30 metres. A few minutes later a great move involving searing runs from Carl Gwynne and Will Powell gave scrum half Harri Saunders-Jones an opening that doubled the lad, Zack Snape converting both tries.

Speed in the backs was at the root of the win, Harry Ratcliffe lightening fast down the right wing left the defence flat-footed and within minutes action switched to the left where Cori Phillips made good metreage before releasing Tom Morgan who needed no second invitation. Callum Fergusson was the beneficiary when quick thinking by Saunders-Jones taking a tap restart allowed the full back space down the left to finish.

Flanker Alfie Thomas was always robust and regularly sucked in defenders that allowed his backs space. His rigorous running was all too much for the Gwent men who failed to stop a charge from 30 metres for the sixth try.

It was all going Gwernyfed’s way, though, to their credit, Garn never gave up and reaped the reward for some hefty forward charges by scoring two tries from close range just before the half-time whistle.

If anything, the second period was even more one-sided with the fitter Gwernyfed side running the defence ragged. The seventh try was a peach, Tom Morgan collecting in his own 22, making fifty metres unattended to find Ieuan Thomas on his elbow when needed. Thomas needed no second invitation.

Fergusson scored the next, courtesy of a strong run by Matt Rolfe, and then centre Will Powell went in under the posts after collecting a loose ball on the 22. Dylan Skyrme came on off the bench and immediately put his name on the score sheet before Harry Ratcliffe bagged his second of the afternoon.

Garn got what by now was certainly a consolation try, but as time ebbed away, Will Powell dotted down the final try, offering Snape a simple conversion that wrapped up an entertaining afternoon.

SEVENTEEN DOWN, ONE TO GO FOR GWERNYFED

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 07:52:35 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

CAERLEON 7 GWERNYFED 29

Gwernyfed travelled to second placed Caerleon for the penultimate game of the green, white and black’s season. It looked to be a challenge, but with WRU officials in attendance to present the league trophy after the game and a sizeable contingent of travelling support, Joe Winfield men took control of a fine game from the outset and made certain that the result matched the occasion.

Helped by a strong following wind, the visitors penned the hosts into their own half for much of the first period, kicking from hand by skipper Winfield and full back Ryan Davies maintaining positional superiority when needed. Efforts from Cellan Skyrme and Will Eckley came close, but Caerleon justified their league placing with some sound defence, the deadlock maintaining for fifteen minutes before Winfield opted for three points when the Gwernyfed pack earned a penalty at the scrum.

Centres Dylan Skyrme and Gethin Davies always made progress and number eight Lloydd Powell caused mayhem with a series of charges up the middle. However, when the 110 ^th try of the league season came, it was courtesy of the rapier, wing Will Powell taking the outside line with Ryan Davies in support. When the winger was brought down on the 22, Davies had the presence of mind to by-pass the ruck, pick up and run in unattended, allowing Winfield a simple conversion.

The home line was always under threat, forward offence led by Tom Lloyd and Tom Powell. Their work looked to open up opportunity for scrum half Luke Eckley to snipe in under the posts. His effort seen as a try by players from both sides – but not by the referee, given which, as half time beckoned, a ten-point lead looked to be a paltry return for forty minutes of attack. That concern was allayed from a scrum twenty metres out, hooker Kelly Davis producing the ball on a plate for scrum half Eckley who found Gethin Davies coming in like a train to scythe through the defence. Winfield added the two-pointer.

As expected, Caerleon used the wind and incisive three-quarter movement to challenge Gwernyfed’s dominance in the second period. However, a defence schooled by coach Matthew Lewis slowed and gradually disheartened the home side, livewire flanker Will Pugh with Powells Geraint, Lloydd and Tom putting in some thunderous tackles.

After riding out the storm for fifteen minutes, a Gwernyfed attack led by winger Tom Morgan produced a scrum on Caerleon’s 22 metre line. The home side clearly didn’t take the lesson delivered by Gethin Davies in the first period, the Hay man scoring a mirror image try courtesy of Luke Eckley’s pass, his run in under the posts making Winfield’s conversion a formality.

The final quarter was something of an arm wrestle, producing a try for the home side, reward for their resilience in defence and enterprise in attack. Fresh legs for Gwernyfed in the shape of Sam Clegg, Crag Parry and James Brute, gave the pack a new ‘go forward’, and backs Jack and Rhodri Williams made certain that the unbeaten league run extended to 36 games, but the icing on the cake was delivered by way of a storming run out of defence by man of the match Lloydd Powell who made forty metres. Powell’s effort through the eighty minutes deserved a try, but when he was brought down, he released to number nine Luke Eckley who ran in the bonus point five-pointer, Gwernyfed’s113th of the campaign. A great try with which to celebrate a great season.

One notable aspect of the Talgarth side’s success has been the predominance of players who started their rugby journeys in the mini and junior sections at Trefecca Road, Every man on the team sheet for this celebratory fixture had pulled on the green, white and black at an early age, success being founded upon a bond between players brought up with the three cocks of Gwernyfed’s badge on their chest.

Players current and past all joined in the celebration as WRU District Rep Roy Wilkinson handed the league trophy to Joe Winfield to prompt a long night of well-deserved celebration.

GWERNYFED PLAY, WIN, REPEAT

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 08:03:32 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

RISCA 27 GWERNYFED 43

With the Divisional Championship already secured, the Gwernyfed coaching team took the opportunity to rest some weary legs for the trip to Gwent valleys side Risca. Success has been founded upon a strong squad backed up by a vibrant Athletic side and those starting on this occasion showed that the formula is a winning one, delivering a seven try, bonus point, win and the 35 ^th league game without defeat.

Risca have not enjoyed a great season, but no side in this league has been anything other than competitive and so it proved here with the first exchanges suggesting that it was going to be a tight game. However, after fifteen minutes a shortened line out on the hosts’ 22 allowed flanker and skipper for the day Will Eckley to stand out in the centre. Kelly Davies found Geraint Powell with the throw and when the ball reached the Glasbury farmer he burst through tackles to go in from 25 metres.

It took another fifteen minutes for the green, white and blacks to double the lead, the score owing much to Gethin Davies, playing at outside half, who made material metreage every time Tom Griffiths delivered the ball. Two incursions created chaos in the defence and when Davies was finally halted, he had the strength to offload to Rhodri Williams who sauntered in from fifteen metres.

The Talgarth men secured the four try bonus point before the break with tries from flanker Tom Millington and then Gethin Davies. The first owed much to a fine run out of defence by Tom Morgan, returning to First XV rugby after a long injury lay-off. After a scrum and ruck, with the attack lined up on the halfway line, Geraint Powell adopted the unconventional, picking up from the ruck and passing immediately to Millington who ran in unattended from forty metres. Davies then surpassed that with a sixty-metre run beating and avoiding tackles en route to a fourth try and simple conversion.

The travelling support expected Gwernyfed to build a cricket score upon a half in which they had almost completely dominated the home outfit. That prediction was scotched within minutes of the restart when a series of drives produced Risca first of what proved to be four second half tries. The score did prompt an immediate riposte when Griffiths spread the ball from a ruck on the right wing, Gethin Davies launched a long pass to the left wing where Geraint Powell collected well and went over in the corner.

With fresh legs on Gwernyfed will have been disappointed to concede again with tackling in defence not quite as robust has been the case all season. Risca sensed opportunity and after a series of head down efforts finally pierced the green, white and black line to add their second try. That score was swiftly cancelled out when a move from inside the Gwernyfed half saw Tom Morgan make good ground before passing inside, inviting Dylan Skyrme to beat the home full back – the odds-on favourite romped home under the posts.

Risca never gave in and added two more tries to earn a bonus point, sandwiching Gwernyfed’s seventh made by a snaking run by Ryan Davies who was brought down just short, Geraint Powell collecting from the ruck to crash over underlining the visitors’ superiority and extending the unbeaten run.

The coaching team will be working overtime this week as a visit to second placed Caerleon next Saturday offers a stern challenge, one that Joe Winfield’s side will be even more keen to surmount than is normally the case as WRU representatives will be in attendance to present the league trophy after the game.

GWERNYFED CHAMPIONS – AGAIN!

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:16:06 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

GWERNYFED 63 NEW PANTEG 22

For the second season in succession Gwernyfed secured the top spot in the league and promotion as champions. A 34-game unbeaten league run allowed the Talgarth side the luxury of celebrating in front of home support with three league games still to play. In the process Joe Winfield’s men passed the 100-try mark, repeating last term’s record, in claiming the silverware with a nine-try win.

These sides have enjoyed some close games and New Panteg are never less than robust. So it proved on this occasion when, in front of a very healthy crowd serenaded by Talgarth Male Choir before kick-off, the visitors took the game to Gwernyfed in the hope of causing an upset. The arm wrestle settled down after 15 minutes and the superior fitness of the green, white and blacks began to count. Some incisive kicking from Joe Winfield and Gethin Davies took the hosts within five metres. Will Pugh secured the line out and, after charges by Tom and Lloydd Powell, Geraint Powell collected five metres out to charge over for the first of his four tries.

There were plenty of opportunities for the referee to intervene as the visitors tried to slow down the waves of attach initiated by half backs Luke Eckley and skipper Winfield. The penalty count mounted and the visitors’ woes were increased when the only means of preventing a Dylan Skyrme run-in was to knock the ball on deliberately – a penalty try and seven points – no conversion for Winfield who, yet again, recorded a 100% record with his place kicking.

New Panteg were not about to offer Gwernyfed a walk up the red carpet and scored two tries before the break, these interrupted by Geraint Powell’s second from a charge owing its origins to yet another penalty. A 21-15 lead at the break didn’t look too convincing, but the home faithful were confident, based upon recent track record, that the home side’s speed and fitness would win out – and so it proved.

Within five minutes the unstoppable Gethin Davies scored Gwernyfed’s fourth, bonus point, try, on this occasion courtesy of some spectacular handling by the skipper, full back Tyler Morris and wing man Will Lloydd who presented the Hay man with a clear run to the line. The next owed much to the strength and determination of Lloydd Powell who sucked defenders in all afternoon and on this occasion that set up Dylan Skyrme, Ryan Davies and Will Pugh to take the ball to the line, Geraint Powell collecting from the ruck to plunge over for his hat-trick.

The home side weren’t innocent in deploying the black arts of rugby and were found guilty to the extent that New Panteg were awarded their own penalty try. However, normal services resumed when Gethin Davies took defenders over with him from thirty metres out to record the sixth try. This was swiftly followed when Gwernyfed returned to the attack, Winfield took the ball in the centre of the pitch twenty meters out and launched an inch-perfect pass to Geraint Powell loitering on the wing and enjoying a canter in.

Seven tries with no Ryan Davies on the score sheet is something of a contradiction, but, having played his part in several of the tries the speedster added his own, breaking the hearts of defenders by beating his way to the line. Having made the cake, skipper Joe Winfield placed the cherry on the top when intercepting a rare New Panteg attack inside his own 22 to run the length of the field to touch down the ninth in the corner, completing his perfect afternoon with yet another two-pointer from the touch line.

The green, white and black players were rightly celebrated, but every green, white and black supporter knows that so much of the success is down to the hard work of coaches Lee Thomas, Alun Phillips, Tomi Lewis, Matthew Lewis and Jordan Curran, to the work of physios Dani Clarke and Paige Jones and to the backroom volunteers. Chairman Gareth Davies confirmed the point, ‘We will enjoy tonight, but it is important to thank our supporters, our sponsors and the many dozens of volunteers who make Gwernyfed the great community club we saw win another championship today’.

GWERNYFED SECURE PROMOTION

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 13:18:05 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

GWERNYFED 67 RISCA 5

This win saw Gwernyfed guarantee Division 2 rugby next term with an eleven try romp against bottom side Risca. Joe Winfield’s side have four games in which to get the five points that would see the green, white and blacks crowned champions and hope to repeat last season’s success in next weekend’s final home game against New Panteg.

For a Club with a 150-year history and playing in Division 1 less than a decade ago, Risca find themselves in something of a hole. Having lost every league game this term to date, a trip to unbeaten Gwernyfed was possibly not the ideal outing. League positions don’t always offer a reliable picture, but on this occasion the opening ninety seconds rather confirmed that the home side were odds on to continue the journey towards silverware.

Risca failed to clear their lines from the kick off and the resultant scrum twenty metres out offered Gwernyfed a great platform. The ball was spread wide at speed courtesy of Luke Eckley, Tyler Morris, Gethin Davies, Will Lloyd and skipper Winfield. The defence could only prevent the try by transgression, Winfield opted for the 5-metre line-out and old-fashioned brawn saw prop Cellan Skyrme touch down from the maul. A prosaic try, but a base which allowed the Talgarth men to play some expansive rugby and score some dazzling tries.

Risca held out for ten minutes, resisting some powerful runs by back rowers Lloydd Powell, Will Pugh and Tom Millington, three who knocked holes in the Risca defence all afternoon. The visitors even managed a rare incursion into their opponent’s territory, but an error offered Gwernyfed a scrum on their ten-metre line. Distance is no obstacle to Gethin Davies who made forty metres knocking over would-be tacklers before releasing Will Lloyd via skipper Winfield. Lloyd was hauled back by the neck just short, but as the ref went for his whistle, quick thinking winger Ryan Davies scooped up the ball and dived over.

After a five-minute interregnum, Risca stopped another attack and launched a relieving clearance back into Gwernyfed’s 22 metre area. Will Lloyd chased back, passed to Ryan Davies who went the length of the pitch for his try, assisted by an exchange of passes with Will Eckley but otherwise bemusing half a dozen would-be tacklers.

The bonus point was in the bag by the half hour, an inside pass from Kelly Davies thirty metres out finding centre Dylan Skyrme cutting back at pace to leave the defence flat-footed, crossing the line untouched. Worse was to come for the men from Gwent when, after a mesmerising sequence with ball passing through a dozen sets of hands at lightning pace, Geraint Powell and Prys Eckley sucked I defenders to allow Will Eckley to cross courtesy of half backs Luke Eckley and Morris – another great try to thrill a big crowd.

As the referee looked to his watch another exciting break by Dylan Skyrme was halted as were subsequent charges by Ryan Davies, Geraint Powell and Will Pugh. To stop those three was a mighty effort – but the sight of Gethin Davies charging in from ten metres was all too much, his touch down and Winfield’s fourth conversion allowing the Talgarth side a 38-point lead with which to enjoy their half-time oranges.

The second half started as the first had finished. A line out on the opposition 22 gave the home half backs several options. Tyler Morris chose Gethin Davies who scythed through the defence to tough down under the posts.

Risca did record a consolation try on the hour, but Gwernyfed were relentless, fresh legs in the form of Craig Parry, Kyle Davies and Jack Williams adding to the visitors’ misery. All three went close in a series of charges but when Williams was stopped agonisingly short, he had the presence of mind to offload to Gethin Davies who tapped down for his third try from no distance.

With the game beyond doubt, Gwernyfed set about entertaining. When awarded a penalty that cried out for a touch kick, Will Lloyd tapped to unleash his fellow three-quarters. Morris, Ryan Davies and Rhodri Williams, another off the bench, were all heavily involved, Gethin Davies collecting and making twenty metres through traffic before passing back to Rhodri for the formality of a touch down.

When things aren’t going your way . . . In a rare visit to the Gwernyfed 22, Risca overthrew line-out ball which was spread wide to Ryan Davies on his own try line. The next time a Risca man laid hands on the flyer he was five metres away from Risca’s try line, his pass inside to fly half Morris following up teeing up the tenth try. Having narrowly missed his own hat-trick, Ryan Davies made amends by taking a pass from Dylan Skyrme after another exhilarating passage of play to bring proceedings to an end.

On the adjoining pitch, Gwernyfed’s Athletic XV led by skipper Jamie Coles met unbeaten Ynysddu Rats in a Gwent League game. In a great game of rugby, Coles and his men triumphed 31-17 with tries from Tom Morgan, Alfie Thomas, Will Powell, Lewis Williams and Jordan Curran backed up by three conversions by man of the match Zack Snape. This moves Coles’s side into second spot challenging for honours in august company.

Celebrations continued into the night. Lee Thomas and his coaching team will guard against a hiccup, but if the green, white and black senior team can get over the line at The Brian Jones Memorial Field next week, hopefully buoyed on another good crowd, raucous celebrations will ensue once again at The Old Malthouse.

GWERNYFED ONE STEP CLOSER TO SILVERWARE

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 10:23:25 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

GWERNYFED 42 CHEPSTOW 19

On a miserable day on a sticky pitch, it could have been the case that the hardy spectators at The Brian Jones Memorial Field wold have been served up a game full of error and close quarter battles. In fact, quite the opposite. Both sides committed to running rugby, handling the muddy ball superbly and delivering a game to remember.

Given the lightening start that Joe Winfield’s men produced, the fourth try and bonus point recorded before the half hour, the Trefecca Road faithful had a cricket score in mind. Chepstow had other ideas and in the second period besieged Gwernyfed’s line. Lessons learned from the tutelage of Matthew Lewis as defence coach were put into practice and a couple of second period tries apiece left the Talgarth men well ahead. Chepstow have provided strong opposition home and away and the objective onlooker would recognise that the margin of victory was a compliment to Gwernyfed’s ability but something of an unfair reflection of the visitors’ performance.

The green, white and blacks set the scene from the start, opening up a seven-point lead within two minutes. Full back Tyler Morris collected a loose ball from a Chepstow clearance from the kick-off. After making ground in his own half his kick was rewarded with a ’50-22’ line out. The resultant maul was defended, offering Cellan Skyrme a second throw. Geraint Powell plucked the ball out of a grey sky and the maul trundled ten metres before breaking down. Number nine Luke Eckley had Powell on his shoulder from ruck ball, his pass found namesake Lloydd Powell and when the giant number eight is only five metres out there is only one result. Winfield added the afters.

Supporters had to wait a full five minutes for the second try, but the wait was worthwhile. A scrum on the Chepstow 22 had the two Powell back rowers sucking defenders in before Luke Eckley moved it wide to the right to fly half Winfield. He crafted a move to the right through Gethin Davies and the Eckley brothers, Will and Luke. Tom Powell drove into a tackle when the move was stopped and when the ball came back from the ruck, skipper Winfield was involved in the move for the fourth time. The fly half is ever-aware of holes in the defence and opportunity to exploit them, On this occasion, a pin-point thirty metre punt found Geraint Powell loitering on the left wing. The loiter didn’t last, Powell charging past a despairing defence from twenty-five metres out.

The third try was not only an invitation to Winfield to add a conversion that brought up Gwernyfed’s 500 ^th campaign league point, it was a thing of beauty, A line out in the home sides’s half was secured by Will Eckley. Brother Luke and the skipper combined to release inside centre Gethin Davies. Panic ensued as Davies broke tackles and made forty metres before offloading to Dylan Skyrme. Skyrme quickly transferred to Ryan Davies who skipped past a defence that couldn’t lay a finger on him to go under the posts and serve up the 500 ^th point on a plate for Winfield.

It was a reprise for Davies when, from a scrum 35 metres out, Joe Winfield popped the ball inside to Davies coming in off his wing. Once again the speedster evaded a host of defenders, going over from thirty metres out without a Chepstow man laying a finger upon him. Winfield’s conversion was a formality and the bonus point was in the bag.

It had taken thirty minutes for Chepstow to launch any serious challenge to the Gwernyfed defence but the home side were swift to realise that they had a game on their hands. The visiting back row began to make their mark, battering away in the twenty-two against a resilient defence in which Tom Lloyd, Will Pugh and Craig Parry were prominent. Progress was measured in feet rather than yards, but, as the half-time break beckoned, the dam was breached by way of a series of rucks, the eventual try touched down under the posts to make it a seven-pointer.

Chepstow started the second period as they had finished the first and whilst their attacks were matched by Gwernyfed sorties, too often the latter were interrupted by penalties for holding on. From one of these, a speculative punt down the left bounced badly for Gwernyfed, the visiting left wing taking full advantage, the conversion reducing the lead to fourteen points.

On the hour normal service was resumed when, after an expansive move down the left courtesy of the threequarters was halted, the resultant rucks saw Will Eckley, Geraint Powell and Ryan Davies stopped short at which point Luke Eckley introduced guile, feinting before plunging over in spite of intense attention.

The final twenty minutes inevitably had players tiring with maul, ruck and scrum moving centre stage. The arrival of replacements Kyle Davies, Dan Stroud, recent transferree from Seven Sisters, and Prys Eckley had Gwernyfed on the front foot, but the only scores in the final quarter owed everything to grunt, Chepstow touching down after a length series of rucks in the home sides’s 22, Gwernyfed replying immediately when Geraint Powell got the final touch as a maul trundled twenty metres to the line. Joe Winfield completed yet another afternoon of impeccable place-kicking with the conversion.

With the senior side now closing in on promotion, attention is shared with the Athletic XV in the hope that they can secure a repeat appearance in the Dragons Finals. With top side Bedwas Athletic visiting a close game was expected and no one was disappointed, the visitors winning 7-5, a Harry Ratcliffe try not quite enough to affect league placings.

On Sunday morning a full slate of Gwernyfed mini and junior sides took on their counterparts from Brecon RFC and a highly enjoyable and successful weekend’s rugby for Gwernyfed was brought to a close by the Women’s XV who entertained Ynysybwl Ladies. The first period was scoreless with Gwernyfed’s defence performing brilliantly. Their reward came in the second period when tries from Poppy Thompson and Bronnie Jones delivered a 10-7 victory.

GWERNYFED AT THE DOUBLE

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 09:24:39 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

RTB EBBW VALE 16 GWERNYFED 49

Both of Gwernyfed’s First and Athletic teams travelled to good effect, the latter moving up to second place in the Dragons League with a 43-10 win at Garndiffaith, the senior side completing the double over old rivals RTB Ebbw Vale to maintain their 100% league record. Both sides came away with seven tries after a very satisfactory afternoon that demonstrated strength of rugby at Gwernyfed at present.

The Athletic, led admirably as always by Jamie Coles, were slated to entertain Monmouth at The Brian Jones Field. The visitors cried off early on Saturday at which point Fixture Sec Ian Hill and Team Manager James Evans MS swung into action and arranged a league fixture at Garndiffaith. Their efforts were rewarded with a fine performance from a side peppered with experience (the likes of Gerwyn Williams, Dave Roberts, Zack Snape, Darren Roe and Sam Stephens having plenty of games under their belt) helping some promising youngsters getting involved with the dark arts of second team rugby early in their senior careers.

Scores came regularly with centre Will Powell crossing twice, giant lock Harry Rush crashing over and newly transferred Alfie Thomas getting their names on the score sheet. Speedster Ieaun Thomas touched down with the try scoring completed by Elis Evans and Sam Stephens whose return after a lengthy absence due to farming commitments showed that he had lost nothing by way of skill and strength. Zack Snape potted four conversions, icing on a great result that paves the way for the visit of Chepstow Druids in a fortnight.

At Hilltop, Ebbw Vale, Joe Winfield’s men expected a warm welcome and were not disappointed. Gwernyfed’s record, this their 31 ^st league game without defeat, makes them rather a target for sides looking to cause a shock and RTB were no different, tearing into attack in an opening ten minutes that had home fly half Purnell opening the scoring with a penalty.

Gwernyfed struck back immediately when Winfield pushed a penalty conceded from the restart into the corner, Cellan Skyrme’s throw to Geraint Powell at the back was unerring, the maul then driven over with Skyrme getting the final touch. Joe Winfield slotted the first of seven successful conversions.

RTB did take advantage of some indiscipline in the green, white and black ranks, excellent number 10 Purnell landing two more three pointers as a result, these sandwiching a try by Gwernyfed’s powerful number eight, Lloydd Powell. The Hay man was at the end of a series of charges that had seen Daviess Kelly and Gethin come close, but when Powell received the ball five metres out with only three men in front of him, the outcome was inevitable.

Left wing Calum Fergusson dotted down the third courtesy of a sublime pass from his captain, Winfield, who added the two points from the touchline, The bonus point, fourth, try came just before the break when lock Tom Lloyd got the reward his work in attack and defence deserved by forcing over for a try that rather knocked the stuffing out of an RTB side shortly after they had reduced the arrears with a seven pointer of their own.

The second period was something of a procession, Gwernyfed restricted to three tries by some stout defence, a few self-inflicted errors and a referee whose whistle was never far from his lips, not least when he brought affairs to a close after seventy minutes. Nonetheless, the foreshortened second half saw some excellent rugby.

Within minutes of the restart, scrum half Luke Eckley found fly half Tyler Morris thirty metres out. Morris had centre Gethin Davies coming at pace which spells trouble for any defence and though the Hay man was slowed just short, he turned to offer wing Will Lloyd the chance to mark his first game after honeymooning with a trademark swallow dive over.

The sixth try was rather more workmanlike with prop Dan Stroud almost celebrating his first game in green, white and black after his move from Seven Sisters with a try, his effort backed up by Geraint Powell who scored from close in. The final score was an opportunist try by outside centre Ryan Davies who picked up a loose ball on his own 22 and outpaced the defence to score in the corner. Faced with another difficult conversion, Winfield’s kick bisected the posts once again, completing a masterclass of place kicking.

A thoroughly enjoyable and successful afternoon on a day made for rugby was celebrated by the 30 players and the large number of travelling supporters. A home friendly against Division 2 side Cwmbran beckons next weekend before both Chepstow sides arrive at The Brian Jones Memorial Field on the last day of the month. Chepstow’s senior side are serious promotion challengers and the result should bring some clarity to the eventual outcome of league honours.

GWERNYFED MARK NEW YEAR WITH A WIN

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 10:07:11 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

GWERNYFED 38 MACHEN 14

Gwernyfed welcomed 2026 with their 30 ^th league win on the trot, their last taste of league defeat back in the 2023/4 season. However, while the result was never in doubt, the green, white and blacks took their foot off the pedal in a second half that saw the visitors from Caerphilly outscore the home side by two tries to one.

The early minutes saw Gwernyfed on the attack, various sorties involving skipper Joe Winfield, centres Gethin and Ryan Davies and lock Geraint Powell rebuffed by Machen. When the siege was finally lifted after ten minutes with a long clearance to touch, the line-out on Gwernyfed’s ten metre line only served to offer the green, white and blacks an opportunity to stretch the defence from depth. Winfield and Lloydd Powell conspired to suck in the visiting forwards after which Luke Eckley passed inside to Geraint Powell. He had speedster Ryan Davies coming in on the blind side, Davies splintering the defence and running in untouched from fifty metres, the skipper adding the conversion.

Once the dam had been breached scores came with regularity. From the restart full back Tyler Morris fielded the ball and hoisted a kick well into the Machen half. Morris’s opposite number attempted to mirror the clearance but only succeeded in placing the ball into Joe Winfield’s arms. The fly half drew the defence before releasing Gethin Davies down the left-hand touch line. The giant Hay man made no mistake.

Machen enjoyed a few minutes’ respite with play concentrated in midfield until a series of onslaughts led by Ryan Davies and Calum Fergusson were resisted only by slowing the ball in the ruck. The resultant penalty saw Will Eckley feint to charge forward, but then allowing brother Luke to pick up, spread wide to Geraint Powell and watch Gethin Davies charge under the posts from fifteen metres, taking several defenders on the journey. Winfield pocketed another two points.

Yet again the restart yielded a try. Tom Lloyd fielded and set up a ruck which saw Winfield chip over the advancing defence. Flanker and vice-captain Will Eckley collected and went on one of his trademark runs. When stopped after forty metres, brother Luke was on hand to pass to Tyler Morris who spotted Gethin Davies out wide. The pass was accurate and the rest was inevitable, Davies trampling the cover defence and selflessly spurning a hat trick by passing to Geraint Powell so that the rangy lock could make Winfield’s task a formality.

With the try bonus in the bag, as half-time approached Gwernyfed produced a master class of a try. From a scrum 35 metres out, Luke Eckley fed Winfield, Gethin Davies then sensed full back Morris cruising into the line to pass and draw defenders before releasing an impeccable pass to right wing Calum Fergusson whose run in for the fifth try and a 31-point lead at the break was a formality.

The sizeable home crowd is used to the green, white and blacks using their fitness and speed to draw away as the game progresses. That was how it looked when, five minutes into the second period, charges by Prys Eckley, Sam Clegg and Lloydd Powell sucked in the defence to the extent that when Luke Eckley collected, he had Ryan Davies on his shoulder with only two men to beat from ten metres, seven points the inevitable outcome.

It looked very much as if the floodgates were about to open, but, whether through rustiness or the thought that the game was in the bag, Gwernyfed rather misfired. There were plenty of chances, some frustrated by dogged defence, some spurned by a preference for the kick when ball in hand has proved to be lethal in the side’s long run of success. Whatever the cause, it was Machen who made the better of scoring opportunity in the second half with two converted tries which were just reward for a spirited effort by a side involved in the relegation battle.

Training has been constrained by Christmas and weather and Lee Thomas and his coaching team will be hoping for opportunities in midweek to iron out a couple of wrinkles as the Talgarth men look forward to next weekend’s visit to RTB Ebbw Vale, a side that always offers a stiff challenge. However, notwithstanding a stuttering last thirty minutes, Gwernyfed stand clear at the top of the table and will look to cement that position in the games before the hiatus caused by Six Nations rugby.

GWERNYFED COMPLETE DOUBLE

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:22:46 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

NANTYGLO 10 GWERNYFED 40

These teams met in Talgarth on the opening day of the season. Gwernyfed took the honours on that occasion since when both sides have maintained unbeaten league records. That meant that this game was critical to the final placings. Joe Winfield’s men responded to the occasion with the green, white and blacks overwhelming their hosts.

Inevitably the early exchanges were a bit of an arm-wrestle with both sides testing the other out. Gwernyfed had the territorial advantage but didn’t threaten a score save for one typically brutal drive by number eight Lloydd Powell which was stopped just short. When the hosts did make progress into the Gwernyfed half, strong tackling held them between the halfway and ten metre lines, given which when presented with a penalty Nantyglo opted for the three points to open up a lead after fifteen minutes.

Within five minutes Gwernyfed wrested the initiative from the hosts when a series of drives from the three Powells, Lloydd, Geraint and Tom, sucked in defenders allowing half backs Tom Griffiths and Tyler Morris time. Morris saw full back Winfield out wide on the right and pin-pointed the forty metre punt. Winfield drew the defending winger and released try-scoring machine Will Lloyd to complete an impressive move. The lead was never relinquished.

The only other scoreboard action in the first period was recorded on the half hour. Cellan Skyrme found Geraint Powell from a line out on the Nantyglo 22. Off the top ball was delivered to Griffiths whose pass fund outside half Morris flying forward, an inside pass to a careering Gethin Davies enabling the Hay giant to pass defenders with ease to allow Winfield a simple conversion, delivering a nine point half-time lead.

It took twenty minutes into the second period for Gwernyfed to turn pressure into points, the score a product of constant attack and consequent penalties. After a couple of five metre line-outs building pressure further, when the home side tried to exit replacement scrum half Luke Eckley got his body over a ruck and Joe Winfield put the resultant penalty into the corner. Cellan Skyrme found Geraint Powell from the line out and then joined his pack to trundle over having collected the ball at the base. Winfield added two points.

If the third try was straight off the rugby production line, the fourth two minutes later was very much a bespoke effort crafted by fly half Tyler Morris. From a scrum on half way Gethin Davies crashed through tackles and made good ground. When tackled, Luke Eckley whipped quick ball to Morris, he beat his opposite number and, while eventually stopped, slipped the ball out of the tackle into the bread-basket of centre Ryan Davies advancing at speed. The remaining defence didn’t stand a chance and the four try bonus point was augmented by another Winfield

two-pointer.

With ten minutes remaining a demoralised home side tried manfully to stem the tide and managed to stop both centres, Gethin and Ryan Davies, extending the lead. However, it was only a matter of time and when Morris chipped over the advancing defence and Gethin Davies collected, his pass to Joe Winfield allowed the skipper to beat his man, touch down and add the conversion. Adding insult to injury, an outrageous interception by Geraint Powell was followed by a thirty-metre gallop down the right wing and an even more audacious cross kick, pursued by excellent flanker Tom Millington who crashed down under the posts so that Winfield could bring up the round 40 points.

Nantyglo never gave up and their endeavour was rewarded in the last minute with a converted try that added a little respectability to the score but did nothing to polish their aspirations to land the league title. By way of contrast, the green, white and blacks end 2025 having won every league game and can enjoy a few days off over the festive season before a trip to Caerleon in the first Saturday of 2026. Skipper Winfield and Director Rugby Ceri Morgan thanked the substantial travelling contingent and those not able to make it for the magnificent support offered, ‘A real sixteenth man’ commented Felinfach man Morgan.

GWERNYFED’S UNBEATEN RUN CONTINUES

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 10:47:09 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

GWERNYFED 45 FLEUR DE LYS 7

Gwernyfed enjoyed yet another convincing victory, this time against Fleur De Lys, the Blackwood side were competitive but never looking to threaten the green, white and black two year run of wins at the Brian Jones Memorial Field in Talgarth. The win left Joe Winfield’s men at the top of the league with a nine match, 100%, record.

Gwernyfed had the game in the bag by the eighth minute by which time two converted tries left ‘Flower’ chasing the game. The opening try summed up the relentlessness that faces Gwernyfed’s opposition these days. A ranging move involving every one of the Talgarth men’s backs was brought to an end with a fine tackle on Will Lloyd just short of the line. Not to be deterred, scrum half Luke Eckley stole the ball back, launching rucks that had Geraint Powell and Kelly Davies thwarted, the third phase seeing lock Tom Lloyd drive over from five metres, celebrating the birth of his son and allowing Joe Winfield a simple two-pointer.

Gwernyfed returned to the attack from the kick off, committing defenders with driving runs through Powells Tom and Lloydd, probing through the backs with Tyler Morris and skipper Winfield directing the traffic. Twice the visitors had chance to clear, twice they found forwards who drove the ball back into the red zone. An expansive move to the left came up just short, the pivot was reversed allowing fly half Morris, increasingly influential, to find right wing Will Lloyd with a long pass, the Clyro man making no mistake. Once again Winfield added the points from wide out.

Rarely is a game one-sided, and on this occasion Fleur went on the offensive. The ten-minute onslaught was impressive in terms of re-cycling and ball retention, but Gwernyfed’s attacking prowess is underpinned by impressive defence, reaping the rewards of some top class coaching from Lee Thomas, Alun Phillips and Matthew Lewis. The result was that the visitors’ progress towards the line was limited, whereas when Gwernyfed switched to attack their finishing was clinical.

The third try summed it up. Fleur had battered away around the Gwernyfed 22 for several phases but eventually held the ball for too long on the ground under threat from flankers Will Eckley and Kyle Davies. Winfield pushed the penalty well down the left and from the line out Lloydd Powell pushed deep into the defence, Luke Eckley used Geraint Powell as axis man to release Ryan Davies coming on a reverse angle at speed 25 metres out – not a finger was laid upon the flying centre as he dived in under the posts.

The ever-reliable Will Lloyd scored the fourth to secure a bonus point. Fleur chipped over when running out of defence, a dangerous ploy when Joe Winfield is at full back. The skipper collected the ball forty metres out, went left until the move was snuffed out and then tried the right flank, the ball passing through four pairs of hands before Ryan Davies passed to Lloyd who scored wide out under pressure from three defenders.

It took ten minutes for Gwernyfed to extend their lead as the second period evolved. An early feature was the resilience of the Gwernyfed defence which frustrated long periods of Fleur ball retention, albeit retention to little effect. When play moved to the other end, a Gwernyfed scrum within five metres of the line spelled trouble for the visitors who repelled charges from Lloydd Powell and then replacement front rowers Craig Parry and Prys Eckley before Geraint Powell crossed the whitewash after an outrageous dummy that enraged the defence - as is Powell’s wont.

After some undistinguished mid field charges by Fleur, a penalty on the hour allowed Winfield to secure a line out five metres out, the resultant maul, reminiscent of seasons past, had Cellan Skyrme taking the ball at the base and trundling over with his pack in the van, Winfield adding the conversion.

The final quarter had the visitors on the front foot without any real signs of getting past the home defence, though with two minutes to go a mighty scramble under the posts saw the referee raise his arm to signal a try that was no less than Fleur’s efforts deserved. However, to rather rub salt in the wounds, Gwernyfed neutralised that score when a sweeping move from inside their own half instigated by Tyler Morris and Gethin Davies found Will Lloyd off his wing. Lloyd was supported by Joe Winfield who carried down the left touchline, sidestepped infield and passed to the mighty Gethin Davies following up to run in past three defenders from twenty metres.

The final whistle followed Winfield’s conversion, Gwernyfed recording an impressive win even if slightly ring-rusty after the lay-off caused by the autumn Internationals and bad weather. Next weekend brings a stern challenge in the form of a visit to second placed Nantyglo who will be looking to avenge their only defeat of the season at the hands of Gwernyfed back in September. Coaches and players will be on full alert for what could be a season-defining game.

GWERNYFED DELIVER 14 TRY WIN

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 11:26:15 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

GWERNYFED 86 GARNDIFFAITH 0

The casual reader looking at the scoreline would be entitled to assume that this was an entirely one-sided affair. That was not quite the case. Clearly the Gwernyfed attack was in the ascendancy, but that was built upon a rock solid and impregnable defence marshalled by man of the match Geraint Powell, ably supported by the whole pack - not least the Toms Millington and Powell and flanker Will Pugh who chopped down the massive men from Garndiffaith with mesmeric regularity.

A huge crowd, two deep around the touchline, enjoyed the luxury of watching the first and second outfits from the two clubs on adjacent pitches, Gwernyfed’s Athletic XV also producing some fine attacking rugby in a 37-34 victory to complete the double. In the meantime, the sun and vociferous support helped the Joe Winfield’s side to their eight successive league win this campaign, extending their unbeaten league record to 27 games.

From the start the green, white and blacks were on the front foot. Several charges from Lloydd and Tom Powell and Kelly Davies tested the defence which was resolute around the breakdown. However, as soon as scrum half Luke Eckley let his backs go it became clear that the accuracy and speed of passing and great footwork shown through the afternoon was too much for the men from Pontypool, skipper Winfield the scorer out wide with Tyley Morris, Will Lloyd and Gethin Davies to thank for opening up the defence.

The opening score inevitably saw the Pontypool men fight back, but when a score threatened it was swifty and effectively snuffed out, Winfield testing the fortitude of the visiting pack with lengthy clearance kicks. The second try came after thirteen minutes and was a product of the defence, Will Pugh collecting a loose ball close to his own line to make thirty metres before Gethin Davies sent a long pass out to Joe Winfield on the left wing. A fifty-metre run was stopped in panic mode, but the resultant line out was beautifully crafted with Pugh taking the ball at the rear, Millington collecting and producing the perfect pass for Gethin Davies, unstoppable from five metres.

If the home support had waited ten minutes for the second try, matters moved rather more quickly for the third. Geraint Powell collected the restart on the 22-metre line, laying the ball back for Gethin Davies who simply intimidated his way past five defenders over sixty metres to cross under the posts, Tyler Morris converting both Davies five-pointers to open up a nineteen point lead.

After the inevitable surge upfield, with the sizeable visiting pack unsuccessfully attempting to bludgeon their way to a score for five minutes, play returned to the visitors’ end courtesy of a long kick by Winfield. All three Powells, Tom, Geraint and Lloydd in succession, went close but when ‘Fridge’ Cellan Skyrme lined up, his mobility belying the prop’s size, he took three defenders over for the bonus point try, Morris’s conversion a formality.

Two more tries were recorded before the break, the first a gem finished by Calum Fergusson after a great break and pass by outside centre Rhodri Williams, the second a statement of the power that Lloydd Powell has in spades, picking up from the base of the scrum and carrying a host of defenders over for a well-deserved try. Morris’s conversions meant that Garndiffaith, a side that played in the division above last season and are challenging for a return, turned around 38-0 down.

The second half had Gwernyfed defending a line out inside their own 22 which the visitors gathered and looked to maul over. The home pack had other ideas. Geraint Powell burrowed through to wrestle the ball away from the attackers, handing over to fellow lock Will Eckley. For the second time this season the Glasbury forward ran the ball in from fully sixty metres to resounding cheers.

If anything is designed to demoralise a side it’s a sixty metre try by a lock, and while the visitors continued to show spirit, when the impressive Gwernyfed bench appeared, bringing fresh legs and no little talent, more scores looked inevitable, and so it proved.

Next to score was scrum half Luke Eckley, not to be outdone by his brother, completing a ranging move from defence with Gethin Davies and Lloydd Powell involved several times, before Winfield chipped through for Eckley, the try bringing up the half century. That was soon followed by another Winfield score, the architect Ryan Davies, coming in off the bench after a lengthy injury spell, his pass to Will Lloyd opening up the defence, Lloyd then giving his skipper a run in.

Will Lloyd was prominent throughout, coming in off his wing to add speed and variety to the attack. However, it was as a conventional winger that the Clyro man was at the end of sweeping move that involved Gethin and Ryan Davies and Calum Fergusson before Lloyd plunged into the corner.

Gethin Davies bullied his way to his hat trick and Gwernyfed’s eleventh try. Will Lloyd made it a dozen, fielding a long pass from Gethin Davies on the run, then completing a thirty-metre dash into the corner.

If Garndiffaith’s bus wasn’t already warming up for the trip back south, the sight of Ryan Davies taking the ball forty metres out at breakneck speed must have woken the driver. Unfortunately, the defence was not quite as alert and Davies signalled his return to the green, white and black jersey with a wonderful try.

As a fitting finale to mark what was a marvellous exhibition of attacking play by Gwernyfed’s backs, of course courtesy of their excellent pack, Rhodri Williams touched down the fourteenth try to make certain that every one of Gwernyfed’s backs had his name on the scoresheet.

Regular watchers knew that at some stage everything would click and an opponent would really suffer, on this occasion the valiant men from Garndiffaith. The win and the manner of the win owed much to the dedicated and impressive coaching team of Messrs Lee Thomas, Alun Phillips, Tomi and Matthew Lewis and Jordan Curran. A three-week break while Wales look to take on the Southern hemisphere giants beckons. Gwernyfed take an unbeaten record into December . . . and the supporters can’t wait.

LEAGUE LEADERS MAINTAIN UNBEATEN RUN

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 09:54:05 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

CHEPSTOW 28 GWERNYFED 33

Both Gwernyfed’s senior men’s sides set out for a day on the banks of the Severn. Both sides recording a win against their counterparts at Chepstow. The Athletic’s 31-7 victory pushed Jamie Coles’s side closer to the Dragons League leaders while skipper for the day Will Eckley delivered a win that extends the green, white and black First XV’s unbeaten league record to twenty-one games.

Gwernyfed last visited Chepstow nineteen years ago when James Evans, now local Senedd Member and Vice Chairman and Team Manager at Gwernyfed, was one of the scorers. It was windy then and things haven’t changed. However, wind and rain failed to daunt the Talgarth men who scored five tries in what, in all but the scoreline, was a dominant performance.

With the benefit of the wind from down the Estuary, Gwernyfed tore into Chepstow’s defence for fully eight minutes before breaking a stout-hearted rearguard action. The busiest man on the park was Gwernyfed scrum half Tom Griffiths who attended ruck after ruck, delivering ball open to fly half Tyler Morris and to the blind where Gethin Davies was a constant threat. When the try eventually came, Davies was at the root of it, making good yards and drawing the defence before releasing right wing Calum Fergusson. The youngster had plenty to do but danced down the touchline, beating three defenders before plunging into the corner.

Until the score Chepstow had not ventured from their own half and while that run was ended from the restart, the next ten minutes saw the two sides test each other out in midfield. However, the hosts’ are third in the league and second only to Gwernyfed in the ‘tries scored’ column, a fact emphasised when the back row picked up from a retreating maul to sneak around the blindside to level the score.

Gwernyfed returned the compliment when, after Geraint Powell and Will Eckley made inroads, from the ruck Griffiths found Kyle Davies coming in at pace, the number eight crashing through for an excellent try. Tyler Morris converted from out wide, his place-kicking a feature of the day and, statistically speaking at least, the difference between the sides.

Chepstow were nothing if not dogged and by half-time had added a try and penalty to sneak into a one-point lead and threaten to wrest Gwernyfed’s 100% record away. Eckley and his men had other ideas.

Ten minutes into the second period a long kick by Morris forced errors resulting in scrums near the home side’s line. With scrum half Griffiths moving to the wing to replace I injured Jack Williams, Luke Eckley came on at nine, immediately feeding Morris whose pass to Gethin Davies had try written all over it. Chepstow’s cover defence, impressive throughout, thwarted the Hay man but he popped the ball back to Morris, full back Will Lloyd the next in line, scoring with aplomb. Morris converted from wide out.

Having recovered the lead, Gwernyfed were in no mood to relinquish it and returned to the attack from the kick off. A siege ensued with runs from the big men, Lloydd and Geraint Powell, Cellan Skyrme and Will Eckley prominent, being met with some magnificent defence. In fact the nearest to the line was Luke Eckley and while his first effort was held up just short, when collecting from a ruck five metres in front of the post, the man from Glasbury sniped in true scrum half style to allow Morris a simple conversion for once.

The home side reduced the arrears with a try from a series of forward drives when Gwernyfed were penalised from the restart, but that score was neutralised and more when, with ten minutes to go, prop Cellan Skyrme took four defenders over with him after charges by Lloydd Powell and Craig Parry had been stopped short. Once again Morris confounded the elements with a conversion from the touchline to open up a fifteen-point lead.

Gwernyfed will be disappointed to have conceded two tries in the final minutes, though by then the result was not in doubt and Eckley’s men could follow the Athletic XV into the changing rooms in the knowledge that the trip back to Talgarth would be an enjoyable one.

Next week Gwernyfed take on both Garndiffaith First XV and their Athletic side,’The Gorillas’, at The Brian Jones Memorial Field in Talgarth. The coaching team will be working hard in the hope of continuing the winning run enjoyed by both green, white and black sides.

GWERNYFED’S CUP HOPES DASHED

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 09:23:21 GMT

WRU Division 3 Cup – Round 2

NEW DOCK STARS 20 GWERNYFED 13

With both sides unbeaten in their respective leagues, this east v west clash was bound to see something give. Sadly for the green, white and blacks and for the sizeable contingent travelling to Llanelli, it was the Stars who moved on to the next round in after a tight contest.

It all started so well for Gwernyfed. After pressing down the right, Will Lloyd was tackled into touch. The Llanelli men won the line out but when fly half Jason Williams chipped over the advancing attackers, the ball fell to Lloydd Powell twenty-five metres out. Powell turned and ran through the Stars back line without hindrance to allow skipper Joe Winfield a simple conversion from under the posts.

The score stung the home side into a series of attacks, well handled by the Gwernyfed defence, if at the expense of a shoulder injury to Winfield, supplemented by some impressive turnover work at the ruck from Will Pugh and Tom Lloyd. The referee was always keen to stop play with both sides attracting his attention. New Dock Stars benefited to the tune of two three-pointers from ex Newport outside half Williams.

Gwernyfed had their own chances but a couple of line-outs close in were stolen and the only consolation for what could have been a couple of five-pointers was a Tyler Morris penalty to extend the visitors’ lead to four points at the end of the first quarter.

If there was any discernible difference between the sides it was that the hosts just about had the better of the set piece, efficient with their own ball at line-out and scrum and always challenging when Gwernyfed had the put in. That advantage put Stars on the front foot in the second quarter and it was no more than their effort deserved when they finally ploughed over from a maul, Williams converting the try.

As half-time beckoned Gwernyfed returned to the attack, but, in spite of incursions from Gethin Davies and Will Lloyd, failed to cross the line. The green, white and black frustration was eased when skipper Winfield, returning after treatment, stood back from the melee and produced a beautiful drop goal from thirty metres. That score saw the sides enjoy their half-time oranges with honours even.

One has to say that the second half was a drab affair punctuated by lengthy periods of treatment for injured Stars players and for evergreen Gwernyfed prop Craig Parry. When play did break out the home side had the better of it thanks to their sound set piece play and while Gwernyfed huffed and puffed, perhaps over-keen to resort to the punt forward, they made little headway while not conceding anything in defence.

The dam was finally broken with ten minutes to go, a series of attacks by New Dock Stars causing the Gwernyfed defence to leave a narrow gap near to the left hand touchline which the hosts exploited with aplomb, the left wing plunging into the corner. The conversion was taxing but Williams was unerring.

Gwernyfed looked to claw their way back into the game and charges by Geraint Powell and Kyle Davies offered hope, as did several forays by centres Gethin Davies and Rhodri Williams, but a combination of the referee’s whistle and some stout defence kept Stars ahead, a lead extended in the last minute when Williams put a penalty over to put the result beyond doubt.

Gwernyfed’s hopes of another cup final were dashed, on balance the right result on the day, though on another occasion the Talgarth men would fancy beating what was an accomplished Llanelli side. Be that as it may, league action resumes next weekend with a trip to Chepstow, the Severn-siders representing a real challenge to Gwernyfed’s unbeaten league record.

Elsewhere, the green, white and blacks covered much of South Wales with the Athletic enjoying the scenery in Pill, Newport, and enjoying a fine 38-24 win under Jo Coles’s leadership. The Youth also travelled exotically, this time to Gilfach Goch in the cup where a last gasp penalty gave the home side a 22-21 victory over Aled Skyrme’s outfit.

GWERNYFED TOUGH IT OUT

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 10:36:07 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

NEW PANTEG 8 GWERNYFED 14

Games between these sides have invariably been tight. This one proved to be no exception, Gwernyfed taking the spoils back to Talgarth thanks to some great defence and incisive attacking in a game that was a superb advertisement for local rugby.

Followed over the hills by a sizeable supporting contingent outnumbering the home faithful, Gwernyfed went on to the front foot from the kick off and with a maul brought down just short looked certain to open the scoring. The New Panteg defence thought otherwise and proved impenetrable until clearing to the half-way line to initiate thirty minutes of arm wrestling between the 22 metre lines.

Both defences were sound, green, white and black forwards Tom Lloyd, Lloyd Powell and Eckleys Prys and Will stepping forward whenever needed. Their example was mirrored in the backs where wrecking ball centres Rhodri Williams and Gethin Davies skittled their opposite numbers. The favour was reciprocated by the New Panteg defence which was equally uncompromising.

Scoring opportunities were few and far between and when they came either great defence, in the shape of a marvellous covering tackle by Jack Williams for Gwernyfed, or very keen refereeing frustrating opportunities for Williams and increasingly influential fly half and skipper Joe Winfield.

It was Winfield who engineered the move that broke the defensive dam. A line out 22 metres out had Tom Millington, Prys Eckley, Gethin Davies and Tom Lloyd challenging the gain line only to be repulsed by a red defensive wall. However, when Winfield was faced with the same wall twenty metres out, he feinted to the right, jinked to the left and completely foxed those facing him. The home full back loomed but Gethin Davies had tracked the run and was on hand to finish an excellent try. Winfield extended the lead with the two pointer.

New Panteg fought back and pressed the Gwernyfed defence only to find Gethin Davies and Lloyd Powell in imperious form, keeping the Pontypool outfit behind the gain line time and again. Will Pugh and Prys Eckley consistently turned over ruck ball, Winfield and full back Tyler Morris producing clearances that would have demoralised lesser outfits. However, the home team were made of stern stuff and finally reduced the arrears on the stroke of half time with a penalty from thirty metres out – the least that their effort deserved.

From the restart Gwernyfed took the game to their hosts, indeed if New Panteg had dominated the first half, it was Winfield’s men who took the honours as the game progressed.

The home side made little progress when trying to escape the stranglehold of a relentless Gwernyfed attack. Some great efforts by heroic wing Calum Fergusson, who gave his all in attack and defence, and drives with Will Pugh and Kelly Davies prominent promised to extend the lead but it took until the hour for effort to be rewarded. A break down the right ended when Geraint Powell punted forward to see the Panteg fly half fumble the ball ten metres in front of his own posts. The scrum was strong, Tom Griffiths found Winfield going right. The fly half reverse passed to Gethin Davies whose line, speed and power were all too much for the stubborn defence. Winfield added the conversion and the visiting support breathed a sigh of relief.

The last quarter was notable by virtue of the loss of indefatigable prop Prys Eckley with an ankle injury, Eckley, an ever present through the twenty-five game unbeaten league run enjoyed by Gwernyfed, was replaced by Rhys Price who underlined his versatility by successfully standing in for the prop when Price is usually seen in the back five.

As the clock ticked down, New Panteg finally got some reward for their effort when running in a try to earn a losing bonus point. However, as the conversion sailed wide the referee signalled no side, bringing a hugely impressive and enjoyable game to an end.

The win cements Gwernyfed’s position at the top of the table, a position more impressive given the day’s opposition, a team likely to be in the promotion shake up in spring 2026. There will be a lot of sore bodies looking to recover in advance of next weekend’s cup games, Gwernyfed visiting Llanelli where New Dock Stars are also unbeaten in their division this term. It should be another nail-biter.

GWERNYFED COMPLETE NAP HAND

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 07:55:59 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

GWERNYFED 50 RTB EBBW VALE 7

Gwernyfed delivered their fifth successive league victory to complete a nap hand and extend their lead at the top of the table. The Talgarth men were honoured by a visit from WRU President, Wales and Lions great, Terry Cobner. The green, white and blacks will be hoping for a return visit, as the rugby luminary watched Joe Winfield’s men deliver an eight try win over old friends and rivals RTB Ebbw Vale.

The game, a Youth XV fixture against Ebbw Vale RFC, resulting a narrow win for the visitors in a great game, and the sun conspired to produce packed touch lines and those attending weren’t disappointed. The two games served up some entertaining rugby, both excellently refereed, all contributing to a great day out.

On the senior pitch the green, white and blacks took the initiative from the kick off and with the forwards driving in and delivering quick ball, half backs Luke Eckley and Winfield had their threequarters sweeping right and left, a score denied only by some valiant defence. While a score from the backs was the bookies’ favourite, it was the pack that opened the floodgates. Winfield prodded a penalty into the corner, Cellan Skyrme’s long throw was plucked out of the air by Will Pugh and the eight propelled man of the match Geraint Powell over, Winfield adding the afters.

If the first try owed much to grunt, the second was an exemplar for guile and speed of foot and thought. From the restart Kyle Davies, Powell and Pugh made major headway down the middle. Flanker Pugh was stopped illegally arising from which Luke Eckley released the backs on the right, several forays near to the line, Powell prominent again, as was the case for Gethin Davies and Tom Lloyd, fell just short. Eckley switched play to the left and the speed of hands by Kyle Davies, Joe Winfield and then Rhodri Williams allied to Tyler Morris coming into the line at a great angle saw the full back over for a sumptuous try.

In rugby rarely does a side dominate throughout. That adage was rubber stamped when RTB scored courtesy of a mis-fielded up and under and then an uncharacteristic missed tackle. The seven points looked to bring the visitors back into the betting, but the green, white and blacks saw things differently.

After some toing and froing in midfield the play settled down into a concentrated offensive in the visitors’ 22. When the siege was lifted with a long clearance, the line out on the halfway line saw Powell and Rhodri Williams combine, the centre winding his way through the defence before finding Luke Eckley on his elbow. The scrum half had plenty to do, but evaded some sizeable defenders before plunging into the corner for a try that delighted the home support on hand.

With half time beckoning a line out on the visitors’ 22 offered the forwards a chance to add to the tally. Geraint Powell and the hugely impressive Prys Eckley went close, the defence transgressing by holding the ball in under the posts. With the ref’s arm outstretched, Luke Eckley passed back to Winfield who arrowed a pass a full thirty metres to Calum Ferguson, the right-winger going over unopposed to bring the first period’s entertainment to a close with Gwernyfed 22-7 ahead with a bonus point in the bag.

It was all Gwernyfed as the second period evolved, though for fifteen minutes the defence just about averted a landslide. With visiting legs tiring, the sight of Gwernyfed’s bench in the form of Lloyd and Tom Powell, Tom Millington, Tom Griffiths and Zack Snape did little to bolster optimism amongst the visiting support, indeed the new energy delivered an immediate dividend when Cellan Skyrme was marshalled over the line by a now dominant pack after yet another five metre line out. Tyler Morris added the first of four conversions in an excellent afternoon at full back and later fly half.

A rampant home side attacked from left and right, the defence only relieved by a penalty given for offside. The resultant line out on halfway was overthrown, scrum half Griffiths giving Lloyd Powell a run – what a sight for a tiring defence, the Hay man scattering defenders like ninepins in a thirty-metre run before passing to Tom Powell, returning to the Gwernyfed shirt after several seasons away, Powell unstoppable from twenty metres.

The seventh score was another beauty. After a strong run by Tom Millington was stopped just short and the follow up held over the line, the drop out was run straight back at the defence. From a ruck 22 metres out Kelly Davies and Geraint Powell combined to deliver to Tyler Morris whose silky pass to Gethin Davies screamed try. The big centre drew the defence en mass and proceeded to pass inside to fellow centre Rhodri Williams who could stroll over unattended with aplomb.

The final try was a triumph of raw power and speed. RTB won a line out on halfway which turned into a ruck. Will Pugh positioned himself perfectly to turn the ball over whereupon Tom Griffiths popped the ball up to Lloyd Powell. It was hardly a fair contest with the one man wrecking machine wreaking havoc with a tired defence, Powell touching down under the posts to allow Morris a simple opportunity to bring up the half century.

A great afternoon’s entertainment saw massed celebrations in the clubhouse and there is no doubt that this was an impressive win. However, regular watchers know that the green, white and blacks still have more in the tank. The next three weekends with away games in league and cup against tough opposition, the first New Panteg next Saturday, will show just how far Joe Winfield’s side can go.

GWERNYFED TRAVEL WELL

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 10:04:20 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

MACHEN 10 GWERNYFED 29

Both Gwernyfed men’s teams travelled to the hinterland of Caerphilly and home of Machen RFC on Saturday. The distance proved no impediment to Gwernyfed who recorded victories on both pitches, the First XV delivering a five try victory, a bonus point and a continuing lead at the top of the league all rewards for a workmanlike victory.

The green, white and blacks announced their intentions within minutes. After Machen kicked off and pushed against the visitors’ defence, finding no way through the home team eventually hacked through to little effect, allowing Joe Winfield to clear with a long drop out. The ball was spilled on the half-way line resulting in the first scrum of the day which set the scene for Gwernyfed’s dominance in the set piece.

The pack gave scrum half Tom Griffiths the first of a series of armchair rides. Releasing to the blind side, the West Walian released Gethin Davies whose line break, the first of many, allowed him to make thirty metres before passing to right wing Callum Ferguson who finished with aplomb.

The next try also owed its genus to the scrum. Pack leader Will Eckley opted for the tight option when Machen strayed offside twenty metres out. Successive scrums yielded successive penalties but when, after four attempts, the ref allowed play to continue, the Gwernyfed backs delivered the dividend earned by their forwards, influential skipper and fly half Joe Winfield timing his pass to Gethin Davies perfectly – the Hay man needed no second invitation, going in under the posts to make Winfield’s conversion a formality.

In a rare visit to Gwernyfed territory Machen reduced the arrears with a try, but the score offered little respite. Always on the front foot, Gwernyfed battered at a defiant Machen defence which held out by fair means and foul, the latter yielding a penalty fifteen metres out on the half hour. Will Eckley feinted to take a tap and drive at the line but, in a move designed on the training paddock, scrum half Griffiths stepped in, passing to Geraint Powell. The ball was moved through the slick hands of Winfield, Rhodri Williams and Will Lloyd who put Jack ‘Sol’ Williams into the corner for a thrilling try.

The Talgarth men secured their bonus point before half time. Once again the scrum, just inside the Gwernyfed half, was at the root of it. Half backs Griffiths and Winfield saw their centres Rhodri Williams Gethin Davies outwit the defence, Davies making the obligatory thirty metres, once again giving Ferguson a pass for the fourth try, a mirror of the first.

The second period rather settled into a pattern with Gwernyfed in perpetual attack mode, frustrated by some stout defence from a defiant Machen side. Perhaps the apparent dominance enjoyed by the visitors generated a little too much ambition, tries going begging on a couple of occasions and the referee denying a couple more scores.

By the time Geraint Powell gathered a loose ball to stride through the tiring defence for the fifth try, beautifully converted by Tyler Morris, the numerous Gwernyfed supporters were looking forward to escaping Storm Abi with a visit to the bar. However, the score did prompt a flurry of activity with Machen scoring their second and Will Lloyd being denied a sixth try by the referee who decided that the ball had been held up and then drew activity to a close.

With the Athletic XV delivering a resounding 39-22 win over Machen’s own Athletic side on the adjoining pitch, this was an entirely satisfactory afternoon’s effort by the Talgarth men. Votes for Men of the respective Matches, went to Prys Eckley and Jamie Coles, both of whom played (as always) tirelessly in the green, white and black cause. Stern tests lie ahead, immediately at The Brian Jones Memorial Field in Talgarth where old friend and foes RTB Ebbw Vale are next weekend’s visitors.

Never one to be outdone, Ryan Davies delivered the next try in even more spectacular fashion, taking the ball from Gethin Davies on his own twenty-two metre line and proceeding to outpace the entire defence, touching down in the corner to the delight of the home supporters.

The Davies combination struck again after sixty-five minutes when Rhodri Williams fielded a long drop out deep into his own half and passed to Gethin Davies. The inevitable breach of the defensive line saw Davies making thirty metres and, when challenged, popping the ball up to Ryan Davies who taunted the defence with a swerving thirty metre run of his own before touching down.

Llantrisant did reply with a penalty but that score was more than neutralised when a sloppy drop out by the tiring visitors was fielded on the left and moved across to right wing Will Lloyd who looked favourite to score until stopped close in, the Clyro man having the presence of mind to offload to Rhodri Williams who needed no second invitation to score Gwernyfed’s fourth.

To their credit Llantrisant moved quickly in the hope of retrieving their position and scored a spectacular try from the half way line. However, that work was undone when, from the restart, Gethin Davies tackled the ball receiver, dislodged the ball and followed though to hack on before touching down to allow skipper Winfield the easiest of kicks to bring the entertainment to an end.

Next weekend sees both Winfield’s side and Jamie Coles’s Athletic team travel to Machen to meet their respective league rivals. If this performance is anything to go by, the Caerphilly men will anticipate a tough game, though coaches Thomas, Phillips, Tomi and Matthew Lewis will be making certain that the Gwernyfed men take absolutely nothing for granted.

HOW ARE THE MIGHTY HUMBLED

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 08:03:45 GMT

WRU Division 3 Cup – Round 1

GWERNYFED 40 LLANTRISANT 22

When the draw for the first round of the cup was made, little did the officials know that by the time the game was played, the two sides meeting in the sun at The Brian Jones Memorial Field would be top of their respective tables. A fine game was written in the runes.

The Black Army travelled northward confident that they could roll over the green, white and blacks. Opening up a two try lead did plenty to bolster the visitors’ confidence, but Joe Winfield and his band of brothers had other ideas, despatching a fine side with five second half five-pointers.

A large crowd feared for Gwernyfed’s home record when after only three minutes, Llantrisant crafted a fine move from a scrum thirty metres out with the left winger dotting down to end a move that screamed out skill and speed. Gwernyfed pressed for the equalising score, but while camped on the visitors’ line for ten minutes were held out by stout defence.

When the siege was lifted after twenty minutes the visitors made little headway until the right winger collected a clearance on his own ten metre line to then scythe through the defence before releasing ten metres out to allow his inside centre a formality of a run in under the posts. The scoreboard rather chastened a crowd unused to seeing the green, white and blacks in arrears.

The answer was a return to attack and with Tom Lloyd stealing opposition line outs, Gethin and Ryan Davies profited, making inroads but never quite getting to the try line. When moves stalled, Tom Griffiths delivered quick ball from the ruck and inevitably Llantrisant’s answer was to play on the gain line. That strategy has its merits, it also has its penalties and Joe Winfield took advantage by potting two three pointers to halve the arrears.

There was no doubting Llantrisant’s resilience and as half-time loomed a try looked hard to come by, a problem militated by a lovely drop goal from Winfield from thirty-five metres, allowing Gwernyfed to turn around with only three points between the sides.

If the first half had been chalk, the second was most definitely cheese. The early exchanges saw the visitors in staunch defensive mode, a posture only threatened when an extensive move back and for the across the pitch yielded the try that broke the deadlock. Cellan Skyrme found Tom Millington in the line out thirty metres out. Scrum half Griffiths released the backs who almost completed the move in the left-hand corner, a Mathis Rolfe charge then allowing the ball to move back right. Winfield went wide and then cut back to find Gethin Davies who carried men with him to the five-metre line. Will Eckley was quicker in thought and speed than the defence, picking up to drive over under the posts. A great try to which Winfield added the two-point icing.

GWERNYFED TOP THE TABLE

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 10:42:42 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

FLEUR DE LYS 16 GWERNYFED 22

After the first two games of the season, three sides shared the divisional leadership with maximum points. Two of those three suffered defeat, allowing Gwernyfed to enjoy sole leadership after a hard-won victory in the rain at Fleur de Lys.

It wasn’t long ago that games were called off because of the hard ground. There was little evidence of that in Blackwood on Saturday when several people planted rice adjacent to a pitch where the uncompromising hosts offered Joe Winfield’s men a real challenge!

A feature of the Gwernyfed game was the sound handling in atrocious conditions, a standard set from the start where Geraint Powell collected the first clearance kick, initiating a series of attempts to blunt a staunch defence. From the forwards Tom Lloyd and Prys Eckley always broke the gain line and out wide Will Lloyd was pulled down just short. Tom Griffiths and Tyler Morris served up great ball which eventually saw the Fleur defence transgress to end a fifteen-phase battering. Joe Winfield beat the wind and rain to put over the three-pointer.

From the re-start the hosts turned the tables on the Talgarth men, battering the defence with quick release from the rucks. The conditions suggested that keeping the ball tight was the key and so it proved with the big home pack taking the initiative and, eventually, the lead with a try from yet another drive.

The inevitable period of up-front grunt was punctuated by offside penalties as the hosts were too keen to step up to tackle. Winfield moved the green, white and blacks into the 22 and the line out saw the ball go wide only for the move to fail at the last moment as a result of yet another offside. Will Eckley took a quick tap penalty and when brought down just short, scrum half Griffiths and Geraint Powell combined to put Cellan Skyrme over in the corner, the considerable prop creating something of a bow wave with his dive into the deep end. Winfield once again beat the conditions to add the two points.

Fleur responded with a second try, the product of a messy series of moves down the left and some good fortune. this signalled the commencement of an arm wrestle which consumed much energy over the twenty minutes to half-time, the whistle signifying the end of a period that was even in both score and progress.

A bit of kick tennis from the restart saw Fleur penallised for not retreating. Winfield did the honours by putting the penalty into touch on the five-metre line. Powell plucked the ball from under the grey clouds. Griffiths released the backs who spread it wide to the left. Winfield reversed the direction of travel and after Tom Lloyd went close, Tyler Morris delivered an exquisite long pass to Will Lloyd who went in unattended.

The home side reduced the arrears with a penalty, but the next period saw Gwernyfed on top with runs from Gareth Davies and Joe Winfield threatening the next score. Penalty action brought play to a stop regularly and it was a resultant line out that saw the green, white and blacks seal the win when Fleur stood off the line-out allowing the Talgarth pack to propel Will Eckley over the line to the ref’s satisfaction. Once again, the invaluable Winfield added the afters from out wide.

Fleur de Lys were nothing if not resilient and earned their reward when a penalty brought them within six points of the visitors for a losing bonus point, an outcome confirmed after a final ten minutes controlled by the green, white and blacks.

News of the Youth XV victory over Blaenavon in their first league fixture filtered through as the Gwernyfed men travelled back to The Brian Jones Memorial Field where they take on the men of Llantrisant RFC in the first round of the Division 3 cup next weekend.

MORRIS RUNS THE SHOW

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 07:15:30 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

GWERNYFED 31 CAERLEON 13

With opponents looking to bounce back after being relegated last term and a few players missing due to domestic commitments, this game looked to test the depth of the Gwernyfed squad. One of the absentees was Club Captain Joe Winfield. While Winfield left a sizeable hole, that was admirably filled by Tyler Morris who donned the 10 jersey and proceeded to run the show. The result, a second successive bonus point win in higher company.

Caerleon barely got a look in during the first period and yet all the green, white and blacks had to show for a dominant forty minutes were two converted tries. Early sorties by Cellan Skyrme and Rhys Price were thwarted by some stout defence and it took fifteen minutes for the deadlock to be broken when an attacking scrum on the visitors’ 22 allowed Luke Eckley to release centre Gethin Davies. With only four men to beat over 25 metres it was no contest, the Hay man allowing Morris a simple conversion.

Normal service was resumed with Gwernyfed always on the front foot but not quite turning opportunity into points, not least due to an uncharacteristic series of line out losses. However, when Morris pushed a penalty into the corner as half-time approached, the line out did function as planned, Will Pugh collecting to feed Luke Eckley. Morris and Gethin Davies linked, the centre finding left wing Dylan Skyrme on his elbow, the speedy youngster going in under the posts to make the conversion a formality.

After forty dominant minutes, as is often the case, the tables were turned as the second period unfolded, Caerleon mounting a series of attacks. Gwernyfed’s resistance this term has reaped the dividend offered by the arrival of local rugby stalwart Matthew Lewis as defence coach. There was no way through for the Gwent men, but the inevitable penalties for offside and slowing ruck ball down allowed replacement Owain Jones to reduce the arrears with two penalties.

Stung by the threat, Gwernyfed skipper Will Eckley rallied the troops who responded with two marvellous tries. First, after a run down the left from Dyan Skyrme was halted on the ten-metre line, replacement scrum half Tom Griffiths set Morris free to draw the defence before timing his pass to Gethin Davies to perfection. The big centre made twenty metres before returning the favour, Morris following up to receive the pass and canter over.

If Morris’s try was good, the next, from right wing and Man of the Match Will Lloyd was even better. Conceding a scrum on their own 10 metre line when a clearance kick went well beyond the home side’s dead ball line, Caerleon’s defence was shredded. Number eight Kyle Davies picked up and found irrepressible full back Ryan Davies coming in at speed. Having made thirty metres unhindered, a covering tackler loomed, but Davies was afforded the luxury of releasing Lloyd, steaming down the wing to complete the move.

Whereas in the previous game at The Brian Jones Field the visiting defence rather gave up in the face of a welter of attacks, Caerleon were made of sterner stuff and pressed to reduce the arrears. Once again, the home defence was sound and when the ferocity of the tackling forced the ball to go lose ten metres short of the try line, flanker Will Pugh picked up, pinned his ears back and went the length of field to the cheers of a sizeable crowd.

Morris converted the try with only a few minutes left on the clock and if anyone looked likely to alter the scoreline it looked to be Gwernyfed, indeed one glorious opportunity was missed when a desperate tackle caused Jack Williams to drop the ball forward. In fact it was the visitors who had the last word when a maul from a line out close in produced a collapse over the line which the referee adjudged to be worthy of a penalty try, a score that was no more than a determined Caerleon side deserved.

Two games, two resounding wins, but next week offers a real challenge when the green, white and blacks travel to the fortress that is Fleur de Lys RFC. The coaching team will be working hard in mid-week as, while the scorelines have been impressive, there is little doubt that the lads are capable of more than has been on display in these early exchanges where ring rustiness is to be expected.

NEW BOYS TRIUMPH

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 07:23:14 GMT

WRU Division 3 East

GWERNYFED 50 NANTYGLO 13

The new season sees newly promoted Gwernyfed participating in a higher division, their first opponents seasoned campaigners who just missed out on promotion last term. With an eight try demolition job, the green, white and blacks showed that they are not daunted by the challenges that promotion brings.

A sizeable crowd and a great day for rugby greeted new Club Captain Joe Winfield and his men. From the kick off the home side took the game to their more experienced visitors; had it not been for a couple of uncharacteristic errors when mauls close to the line failed to be turned into points, an early lead would have been built up.

As it was, Nantyglo took the lead when full back Spencer Cawley potted a three-pointer from the half-way line when Gwernyfed’s backs strayed offside. Stung by going behind, the home pack led by Will Eckley, with Rhys Price and Tom Lloyd prominent, tore into the sizeable home pack. The grizzled defenders were reluctant to give an inch and after several unsuccessful sorties scrum half Luke Eckley released fly half Tyler Morris. With admirable presence and timing, Morris launched the ball wide into the arms of skipper Winfield who escaped tacklers to touch down, turning five points to seven himself.

Nantyglo certainly had the weight advantage up front and earned a couple of penalties at scrum time. The visitors started to build a platform and after several drives huge prop Dylan Thomas made twenty metres, offloading when finally brought down for Cawley to collect and dot down in the corner, converting himself from the touchline.

When Cawley added another three points on the half hour a few furrowed brows were evident amongst the home support. However, tensions were relieved when Winfield pinned a penalty into the corner for Cellan Skyrme to find new boy Will Pugh at the resultant line out, Skyrme himself touching down as the maul worked in line with the coaching manual.

A one-point half time lead suggested that life in the higher division was going to be tough. That may well be the case as the season unfolds, but the superior speed and fitness of the Talgarth side saw them completely outplay and outwit the visitors with a scintillating six try second half.

Kicking from hand by Winfield and Morris always had Gwernyfed on the front foot. A dividend arose when a series of line outs in the visitors’ 22 had Will Pugh stealing a Nantyglo throw in. Pugh was dragged down a few metres short of a debut try, but popped the ball up for number 9 Luke Eckley, always on hand, to go over under the posts allowing Winfield to add the extras.

If things weren’t bad enough for the visitors, within minutes of the third try Ryan Davies, coming on off the bench at half-time, fielded the ball thirty metres out to weave his way through a crowd of defenders unable to lay a finger on him. Winfield converted.

The next try was one for the scrapbook, lock Will Eckley picking up loose ball on his own ten metre line and proceeding to go the length of the field, the Nantyglo back three in his wake.

The try completed a hat trick for the Eckleys, youngest brother George scoring for the green, white and black Athletic XV on the adjacent pitch. The smile on the face of Mark Eckley, former green, white and black centre and father of the trio, was surgically removed in the evening.

As the hour passed it became clear that Nantyglo were a spent force, unable to cope with the speed of thought and movement in the Gwernyfed backline. Lock Tom Lloyd was the five point beneficiary of that speed, a move involving the entire back line from forty meters out finished when Gareth Davies passed to Eli Sweet who timed his pass to perfection for Lloyd to claim the five points.

Ryan Davies looked to repeat his earlier success virtually from the restart, a score inevitable until the winger decided to turn around to beat the defence for the second time. That didn’t help Nantyglo, the Gwernyfed backs seizing the ball with Morris and Winfield combing to put Will Lloyd in for the seventh five-pointer

The final try was the epitome of a game in which brain beat brawn. Nantyglo concede a penalty on their own 22 metre line. Winfield simply looped the ball over the heads of the defensive line, centre Rhodri Williams racing through to touch down for a classic try that owed much to the hard work put in on the training paddock. Winfield added the conversion to complete the half century and comprehensive victory.

Next weekend sees a double bill at Trefecca Road when both First and Athletic XVs take on their opposite numbers from Caerleon. If this game is anything to go by, a great afternoon’s entertainments awaits.

HALF A GAME TOO FAR FOR GWERNYFED

Mon, 12 May 2025 07:48:42 GMT

WRU Division 4 Cup Final

GWERNYFED 31 SEVEN SISTERS 53

After a long, undefeated, season, the men in green, white and black finally met their match in the form of Seven Sisters, a seasoned and skilled side who deservedly took the honours courtesy of a dominant performance in the scrum.

With the cheers of hundreds of supporters who had travelled down to Rodney Parade in their ears, the Talgarth men performed valiantly, holding a 24-21 lead at the close of an end to end first half that saw the lead change hands five times. Maybe it was the toil of playing seven games in three weeks to close out the league title, maybe it was an extremely savvy opposition; either way, the Dulais Valley side held sway in the second period and took home the cup for the second season in succession.

Early exchanges had Gwernyfed on the front foot, taking the lead through a Joe Winfield penalty from some distance. Seven struck back with a well worked try from Kyle Davies, Antony Llewellyn adding the afters, that soon cancelled out when prop Prys Eckley finished off a move that had its roots in some incisive running from centres Dylan Skyrme and Gethin Davies.

Winfield converted and repeated the feat when adding two points to a Gethin Davies try out wide, the youngster deploying speed and strength to go in from twenty metres to open up a ten-point lead.

Water was taken on board regularly on a sweltering day, though that didn’t affect the quality of rugby on display from both sides, Seven Sisters the next to showcase their ability with tries from full back Jay Price and then flanker Jordan MacKay regaining the lead with two Llewellyn conversions.

If the game was won anywhere it was at scrum time, with a bigger and more experienced Seven Sisters eight dominating that phase of play. Gwernyfed number eight Lloydd Powell did valiantly, collecting from a retreating scrum, but a succession of penalties in favour of the dominant pack thwarted progress. However, in all other play Gwernyfed more than held their own, Tom Millington and Tom Lloyd winning line outs consistently and Will Eckley making ground whenever he had the ball.

It was Eckley who restored the lead before the break after some great work down the right involving wingers Jack Williams and Will Lloyd. Seven held out, but only by slowing the ball at the ruck to the displeasure of the referee. Eckley took a tap penalty from five metres out and simply ploughed over the mighty men of Seven Sisters. The unerring Winfield opened up a three-point lead as the whistle went for half-time.

Fresh legs in the form of inspirational Club Captain Sam Stephens came on after the break, but even Stephens’s efforts weren’t enough to stop Seven’s own skipper, Kyle Davies, opening up the second period scoring with a try within minutes of the restart. Llewellyn converted and added another thee points from the tee when Gwernyfed’s backs strayed offside.

Gwernyfed almost reversed the favours when a delicious Winfield chip over the advancing defence was seized by Gethin Davies who made thirty metres only to be brought down just short, the consequent drives successfully repelled by the Seven defence.

As the clock ticked past the hour a couple of errors crept into Gwernyfed’s game, inevitable after such a long and successful season, prompting the introduction of fresh legs. However, Seven Sisters were quick to take advantage of the odd error, running in three tries before Sam Stephens got the try that his endeavour and leadership deserved by way of, by then even the green, white and black faithful admitted, little more than consolation. Winfield completed a perfect suite from the tee,

The welcome for the team, coaches and physio both at the end of the game and back in Talgarth where the hoards stopped the traffic to salute the heroic green, white and blacks, was magnificent, symbolising the scale and depth of spirit so palpable at The Old Malthouse. Those feelings will be bottled ready for Thursday when the Athletic XV take on Balckwood Griffins in the Dragons Bowl, also at Rodney Parade.

What a season!

GWERNYFED CELEBRATE - AGAIN!

Thu, 01 May 2025 08:05:06 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 63 CRUMLIN 26

If it was remotely possible to sum up a season of triumph in one minute, the green, white and blacks did so in response to the opening whistle. Joe Winfield’s kick-off was shaped to allow his forwards the best chance of recovering the ball. Duly done, scrum half Tom Griffiths put Prys Eckley in a position to suck in defenders. Griffiths to Winfield from the ruck, to Gethin Davies twenty metres out with only four defenders to beat. No contest, a try summing up a great season.

Once again, this game was rapier against sword, with Gwernyfed’s flowing moves getting far the better of the ‘head down, charge’ option adopted by the promotion hopeful visitors. Nonetheless, Gwernyfed does have its own battering ram in Cellan Skyrme, but appearances are deceptive with the ever-present prop side-stepping through the Crumlin defence for a second try.

The busiest man at The Brian Jones Memorial Field was once again the scoreboard operator. Tom Morgan, a welcome returnee after a lengthy injury lay-off, finished another sweeping move down the right wing, Gethin Davies added his second and then lock Jordan Curran joined in the fun, extending the lead to thirty-five points, dead-eye fly half Joe Winfield unerring with an evening’s display of perfect place kicking.

Dylan Skyrme added a sixth, courtesy of another great run by Gethin Davies, Skyrme’s try being sandwiched by two tries from close quarters scored by a robust Crumlin pack, adding some respectability to the half-time score of 42-14.

With so many games in quick succession, the league title in the bag and a cup final looming, the coaching team rung the changes, though it made little if any difference to the game, a try from Jack ‘Sol’ Williams adding to the Gwent men’s misery. The finale was worth watching, first for an imperious try from Joe Winfield, side-stepping through a crowd to touch down under the posts and then yet another marvellous run by the selfless Gethin Davies who got involved a second time to put Winfield into the corner to make the fly half’s night interesting – Winfield made it nine conversions out of nine from the touchline.

Crumlin had rather admitted defeat in the face of the speed of the Gwernyfed backs, but never gave up when it came to the grunt up front, their efforts rewarded by a four try bonus point. However, this was Gwernyfed’s night, a night ending in the presentation of the league trophy to Captain Sam Stephens by Mr Roy Wilkinson from the Welsh Rugby Union. Talgarth Town Mayor Louise Elston-Reeves, a regular supporter, also made a formal, chained, appearance, photos with the team recording a season that reflects well upon Talgarth and the part that sport plays in the community.

Rodney Parade and Seven Sisters await on May 10.

GWERNYFED CELEBRATE IN STYLE

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 07:53:40 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 76 CRICKHOWELL 5

Having secured the league title earlier in the week, this could have been seen by the green, white and blacks as an opportunity to rest on their laurels. None of it. With an unbeaten record to defend, local bragging rights at stake and a huge crowd to entertain, Gwernyfed assembled the launch pad for massive celebrations deep into the night with a twelve try victory.

Crickhowell travelled to The Brian Jones Memorial field missing a handful of senior players, including inspirational leader Lewis Logan. Those who stepped up lacked nothing in energy or skill, but as the game progressed the confidence and momentum that a memorable, undefeated, season has brought to the Trefecca Road men just wore the visitors down, eight tries coming in the second half.

The crowd, enjoying two games, Gwernyfed’s Athletic XV taking on league leaders Bedwas Babas on the adjacent pitch, was still streaming in when Gwernyfed took the lead through a Cellan Skyrme try, the front row stealing the limelight when hooker Craig Parry doubled the score.

For a season featuring some wonderful tries from the backs, it was something of a surprise to see the pack also claim the third try, number eight Lloyd Powell once again illustrating what an impressive young talent graces Trefecca Road.

Normal service was resumed when Ryan Davies ran in the first of his three tries before the break, securing yet another bonus point and opening up a 24-0 lead before the turn around.

Crickhowell didn’t get the breaks that their effort deserved, the fact exemplified from the restart when a prod through by Joe Winfield looking to be well covered before the ball played tricks, bouncing off Ryan Davies’s knee into his arms for his second.

Tries have been more numerous than London buses this term, and so it proved again as first Lloyd Powell again and than both of the second-row pair Ollie Rose and Jordan Curran added to the tally, yet another Joe Winfield conversion of Curran’s try bringing up the half century.

A man behind so many of Gwernyfed’s tries, breaking defences with strength, speed and a rugby insight and presenting his colleagues with opportunities galore took matters into his own hands, Gethin Davies dotting down the ninth try. Jack ‘Sol’ Williams added the tenth, Gwernyfed’s 150 ^th in the league, before the visitors got the reward that their exertions deserved with a try built upon some great work up front.

Gwernyfed were not to be denied their day in the sun, adding Ryan Davies’s hat trick try before Gethin Davies closed the tally with a wonderful run which not only generated rapturous celebration but brought up 1000 points in a tumultuous season for the men in green, white and black.

Joined by the Athletic squad, 29-strong, a sign of the vibrancy of rugby at Trefecca Road, celebrations commenced to the delight of the massed support – and of Gwernyfed’s Bar Manager and Treasurer!

This season has been built upon the shoulders of so many nurturing talented youngsters who have grown into great Gwernyfed men, playing only for the love of their Club and the camaraderie so evident on this final Saturday of the league season. Many of the team on the field cite the work put in by the likes of Geraint Skyrme, Rob Morris and Richard ‘Norm’ Daves. Others mention the lads playing some great rugby at Youth level thanks to the inspiration offered by Dave Roberts, Gegs Williams and Stu Lewis. There are so many more. Whatever the recipe, it seems to be working.

The weekend was complete when the Gwernyfed Ladies XV returned from Lampeter with a 27-14 victory in the Welsh Championship, with tries from Summer Chick, Ellie Johns, Beth Jones, Leighanne Norman and Becky Rees, the last a fifty-metre move of dazzling pace, movement and handling. Games for the under 17s at Builth, the under 14s, soundly beating Luctonians, and a huge contingent of mini and junior players performing with aplomb at the Monmouth Young Rugby Festival, it was not only a weekend to remember, it was a weekend for the future.

On Wednesday evening at Trefecca Road Gwernyfed entertain Crumlin to bring the curtain down on the league season, the WRU in attendance to present the league trophy and winners’ medals. Attention will then turn to three Cup Finals. The First and Athletic teams take on, respectively, Seven Sisters RFC on May 10, then the Athletic meet Blackwood Griffins on May 15, both games at Rodney Parade, Newport. On May 31 Gwernyfed Ladies meet Senghenydd RC at Merthyr Tydfil RFC. Talgarth will be deserted three times!

GWERNYFED CHAMPIONS!

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 07:49:05 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

BEDWELLTY 0 GWERNYFED 85

Bedwellty may not be the most glamorous setting in which to win a Championship, but that mattered not to the green, white and black supporters who poured into the Sirhowy Valley to see their unbeaten side clinch the league title with yet another demonstration of running rugby. The hosts offered a warm welcome and were generous in their praise, but notwithstanding their real effort, the home side were no match for a rampant Gwernyfed.

While the backs have grabbed a lot of the glory this term, they wouldn’t have a platform without a reliable pack. On this occasion the boys up front opened the scoring by way of lock Tom Lloyd. Lloyd and his second-row partner Ollie Rose featured prominently, fielding the thirteen restarts impeccably and offering a sound base from which to mount the many attacks.

Number eight Lloyd Powell has been a stand-out player throughout the campaign and he didn’t disappoint on this occasion, making bulldozing runs, winning turnover ball at will and tackling ferociously. His labour was rewarded with a try, the same plaudits going to blindside flanker Kyle Davies who ploughed over in the second half to round off an impressive performance.

The front row claimed its share of the cheers from the side, ever-reliable Prys Eckley and Craig Parry excelling in tight and loose encounters and prop Cellan Skyrme, an ever-present this season, showcasing some delightful skills with lengthy runs, great ball handling – and even a conversion.

The main event was to see Club Captain Sam Stephens lead out his men again after serious injury. Sam has led the Club on the field by example and it is fitting that he returns to join in the celebration of what is an achievement built in significant part over many seasons upon the Talgarth farmer’s broad shoulders. No doubt the skipper enjoyed his birthday!

Of course, the league title has been secured courtesy of some wonderful play behind the pack. The backs scored ten tries themselves, many from distance including one Ryan Davies firecracker that saw him collect the ball behind his own try line and proceed through the defence to touch down under the posts.

Joe Winfield scored a stunner as well as controlling affairs in his normal collected fashion, Dylan Skyrme scored a brace, both from the half-way line, Ryan Davies finished with five tries, Will Lloyd touched down a singleton and second birthday boy Gethin Davies added the final try after another hugely impressive game.

Massive credit goes to so many for a great campaign, but it would be hard to imagine that the season would have gone as well without the commitment and dedication of the coaching team, Lee Thomas, Alun ‘Big Al’ Phillips, ageless Gareth Dodd, and backs maestro Tomi Lewis. Marshalled by Director of Rugby Ceri Morgan and wonderfully supported by an exciting Athletic XV led by Jamie Coles with Andrew Torrance and Gethin ‘Shaddy’ Evans coaching, this has been a league campaign to remember in Gwernyfed’s 60th season.

Back to the coalface on Saturday when Crickhowell visit the Brian Jones Memorial Field prior to the final game on Wednesday evening, again at home, when Crumlin visit and the WRU attend to present the league trophy to Sam Stephens.

GWERNYFED CLINCH PROMOTION

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 07:29:16 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

LLANHILLETH 21 GWERNYFED 57

Gethin Davies breaking away. Photo: Stuart Eckley.

Gwernyfed maintained their unbeaten record with a solid performance against a resolute young Llanhilleth side. The nine try victory, Gethin Davies notching up four of the five-pointers, means that the green, white and blacks will definitely play in Division 3 next term, but still need a couple of points from their remaining three games to sign off as league champions.

On a huge pitch in great condition, the scene looked set for the speedy Gwernyfed back line, even without Ryan Davies who, having scored six tries in midweek was sidelined by illness. The early exchanges were all decided in favour of Gwernyfed with half backs Tom Griffiths and Joe Winfield being given an armchair ride by the pack, Ollie Rose, Craig Parry and Prys Eckley all making great yardage.

When Llanhilleth did get into Gwernyfed’s half, a nudge forward gave the travellers a scrum on their ten-yard line. Smooth delivery allowed Winfield to release inside centre Gethin Davies who saw a gap and was never in danger of being touched as he ran in from fifty metres.

Winfield moved the ball from left to right with Will Lloyd proving to be a thorn in the hosts’ side, but, while a young side, they tackled manfully, repelling attack after attack until the ball was swept wide on the left where try scorer Davies put skipper Jack Williams clear on the left wing for a touch-down in the corner.

Joe Winfield in open play. Photo: Stuart Eckley.

More was to come from Williams from the restart. This time a sweeping move from sixty metres out built upon a great run by impressive young lock Ollie Rose saw the ball whipped out to the right where Will Lloyd made good ground. Craig Parry and Prys Eckley sucked in defenders with quick ball going to Joe Winfield. Using lock Jordan Curran as link, the ball went left to Gethin Davies who engineered a great position from which to release his skipper for a simple run in.

The bonus point try was secured when Llanhilleth spilled the ball on Gwernyfed’s ten metre line, the beneficiary centre Dylan Skyrme who collected, bisected the defence and ran under the posts from fifty metres – a trademark try.

Lesser sides would have wilted under the onslaught, but in spite of the scoreline, this was no one-sided game. The home side demonstrated their skill and ability with a sustained assault upon the Gwernyfed line as half-time approached. tThat effort was duly rewarded when centre Tom Harris ran a great line to touch down under the posts.

The Gwernyfed travelling support was both numerous, outnumbering the hosts contingent by three or four to one, and vociferous. Tries were saluted, though the loudest cheer of the afternoon was for the appearance off the bench for the second half of talismanic Club Captain Sam Stephens, returning after three months in dock from a serious injury, a welcome sight indeed.

Cellan Skyrme on the charge. Photo: Stuart Eckley.

Stephens had to wait ten minutes to see his first try from close hand, this one a classic with the backs sweeping forward, Craig Parry collecting when the move was stopped and then linking with Gethin Davies who is unstoppable from ten metres.

The next score was a collector’s piece. A scrum fifty metres out saw the ball moved to the left where Stephens was on hand to clear up when replacement wing Will Powell was tackled. Back right came the ball to Dylan Skyrme just inside Llanhilleth’s half. The centre went on a mazey run through the midfield to be faced by four defenders inside the 22 – they were all bemused by speed of foot and thought with Skyrme completing a marvellous effort by plunging over in the corner.

The seventh try rather summed up Llanhilleth’s afternoon, two replacements in Gwernyfed’s pack reacting to a clearance kick after a five-metre scrum. Lock Andrew ‘Chuck’ Norris parried the kick which fell into the arms of hooker Kelly Evans who needed to do little more than fall over the line.

Llanhilleth finally got the reward that their perseverance deserved when, after a move of over a dozen phases, Jenson Cook cut in from the right wing to score under the posts, Mason Holl putting over the two-pointer.

Gethin Davies brought his total for the afternoon to four with two more tries, the first a simple touch down after Llanhilleth had resisted a series of drives, the second a Davies classic, breaking the hearts of the defenders with a blazing run through flailing arms from forty metres.

Joe Winfield added his sixth conversion of the afternoon to Davies’s second try but, fittingly, Llanhilleth illustrated the fact that they are side to be reckoned with, an Aaron Humphries try allowing Holl to add the conversion before the excellent referee blew no-side.

The green, white and black caravan moves to Bedwellty on Wednesday evening when a win would see the Talgarth men crowned as league champions. Whatever the outcome, two home games then beckon, against Crickhowell next Saturday with the visit of Crumlin bringing the curtain down on league action the following Wednesday evening.

DAVIES SCORES SIX TRIES IN CENTURY ROMP

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 08:27:01 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

FORGESIDE 0 GWERNYFED 104

Ryan Davies breaks away. Photo: Stuart Eckley.

This match was re-arranged at the hosts’ behest earlier in the season – and on reflection perhaps that wasn’t a great idea given Gwernyfed’s current form, form which delivered sixteen tries and a hundred points – at which juncture the referee drew matters to an early finish.

With games coming thick and fast the green, white and black coaches rotated the squad, youngsters Rory Mears and Ollie Rose using the opportunity to good effect with performances beyond their years. Several other changes were rung but it mattered little - the Blaenavon hosts were put to the sword.

When full back Ryan Davies crossed within a minute of kick off the scene was set for mayhem. After forty minutes the Talgarth men had sixty-nine points and eleven tries on the scoreboard. By the time the referee called ‘no contest’, Jack Williams and his team had chalked up another five tries with fly half Tyler Morris delivering twelve conversions in all as part of a consummate display.

The dizzying array of tries included six from Ryan Davies, two each from Andrew ‘Chuck’ Norris and Will Eckley and singletons from Dylan Skyrme, Will Powell, Sam Clegg, Tom Lloyd, Luke Eckley and skipper jack Williams himself.

In truth this was a game that, whilst hoisting Gwernyfed to the top of the table with two games in hand over the nearest challengers, did neither side a lot of good. Sterner challenges await in the run in, the first of four games a visit to Llanhilleth on Saturday with the league season culminating on 26 and 30 April when Crickhowell and Crumlin respectively visit The Brian Jones Memorial Field in Talgarth.

SKIPPER SCORES VICTORIOUS GWERNYFED’S 100TH TRY

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 09:08:28 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 78 WHITEHEADS 14

As the intense run in to the end of the season continues, Gwernyfed cantered in for their third win in eight days, scoring twelve tries against a tenacious Whiteheads side coached by Wales star Aaron Wainwright. Skipper Jack ‘Sol’ Williams put the cherry on top of the cake when touching down for the tenth try which was also Gwernyfed’s 100 ^th five-pointer in only their thirteenth league game.

The afternoon’s direction of travel was established immediately when fly half Joe Winfield prodded a penalty conceded from the kick-off into the corner. Increasingly impressive Tom Millington plucked the ball out of the air. The pack trundled towards the line, but scrum half Tom Griffiths looked to speed things up, taking the ball, feinting, and plunging over. Winfield added the afters.

The first ten minutes were one way traffic, a second try scored from thirty metres out owing much to centre Tyler Morris who weaved a path through, offloading five metres out to right wing Will Lloyd whose instinct for the five-pointer is unfailing.

Notwithstanding the score, Whiteheads were never less than determined and did reduce the arrears when the Newport side’s speedy centre took a great line to slice open the defence and run under the posts from 30 metres. However, normal service was resumed immediately, the home pack taking up the cudgel, lock Ollie Rose, having a really good spell in green, white and black, the man to get his name on the score sheet.

The second quarter started as did the first with a try, this time a Joe Winfield special from forty metres, speed of foot and thinking and a bewitching sidestep allowing the ten to go under the posts virtually untouched, securing the bonus point. The next try came from broken play with Craig Parry and Lloyd Powell tidying up to good effect before Winfield timed his pass to Dylan Skyrme to perfection.

Centre Dylan Skyrme supported by jack Williams and Wil Lloyd.

As if to rub it in, the next score originated from a scrum deep in Gwernyfed’s 22. Winfield carried the ball and then chipped the defence. Tyler Morris chased and collected, tom Griffiths and Winfield combined to release Lloyd Powell who in turn found full back Ryan Davies on his shoulder. It was no contest, the first of Davies’s hat-trick scored from 30 metres leaving a trail of failed tacklers on the floor.

The dogged visitors did get another converted try on the board before the break, but at 40-17 as the oranges came out, the die was cast.

Upon resumption, the sizeable crowd was treated to a Ryan Davies special. Receiving the ball from a ruck half-way on the right-hand touch line, Davies drew and then chipped the defence, winning the foot race to the line by metres for a great touchdown

There had been a wholesale change of personnel at the break. One feature of recent weeks when games have come thick and fast is the role that replacements and player rotation is playing in the unbeaten run. One great example is Kyle Davies who never fails to make an impression whether starting or coming on later. On this occasion Davies at six had an outstanding game and capped the display with a try out wide for the eighth score.

Skipper Jack Williams celebrates scoring Gwernyfed’s 100 ^th league try .

Ryan Davies’s second was a peach. Receiving the ball from Will Lloyd inside his own half on the right-hand touch line, Davies drew and then chipped the defence, winning the foot race to the line by metres for a great touchdown.

Centre Gethin Davies had come off the bench at the break and Tyler Morris had given Winfield a well-earned 40 minutes’ respite, moving to ten. The changes did nothing for Whiteheads hopes of stopping the torrent of tries with Gethin Davies the creator for a Tyler Morris try.

The tenth score was memorable in more ways than one. It was Gwernyfed’s hundredth in league action this term – but its architecture was almost as impressive. A strong scrum on Gwernyfed’s five metre line allowed replacement nine Luke Eckley to release the backs, the balled passed through the hands of Morris, Ryan Davies, Dylan Skyrme and Tom Millington, the flanker’s deft pass allowing captain Jack Williams to trot in unattended.

Whiteheads spirit was far from broken and it took some determined defence from Gwernyfed, replacements Rhys Price and Scott Rees shining, to hold the Newport men. However, normal service was resumed with two tries run out from defence, the first courtesy of a fine run by Gethin Davies who selflessly passed to Dylan Skyrme for the touchdown, the second and final after a great run by Skyrme, Jack Williams linking to release Will Lloyd for the touch down. Tyler Morris converted, he and Winfield sharing nine two-pointers.

The caravan moves to Blaenavon on Wednesday evening where Forgeside are the hosts and then to Llanhilleth next weekend. Replacement and rotation to the fore as Gwernyfed’s unbeaten season heads towards the denouement

UNBEATEN RECORD RETAINED

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 07:09:25 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

CRUMLIN 14 GWERNYFED 24

Gwernyfed travelled to Newbridge RFC in midweek for a re-arranged fixture, the hosts electing to play at Newbridge where floodlights are available. That was not the only strange thing about this fixture – some of the opposition were unfamiliar faces, playing on permit, etc., from more senior teams. It mattered little to Jack Williams and his green, white and blacks, their unbeaten season continuing with a well-earned victory over the title-challengers.

After a tough semi-final at the weekend, the coaching team rotated the squad, cup-tied Ryan Davies returning at full back, Scott Rees coming in at lock, a welcome sight for the Gwernyfed faithful with Rees recovering from a terrible injury, and Luke Eckley starting at nine. All three acquitted themselves admirably in a tight game in which both defences were dominant.

Up front, honours were even at the set piece, though Gwernyfed’s pack was more mobile with Lloyd Powell always prominent and props Prys Eckley and Cellan Skyrme regularly making hard yards. However, it was behind where Gwernyfed held sway, Eckley’s swift service from the ruck allowing Joe Winfield to direct traffic to superb effect throughout the game.

All of the three-quarters, wings Will Lloyd and skipper Williams and centres Gethin Davies and Dylan Skyrme, went close only to be held up by a determined and sizeable defensive line. Crumlin made little headway in attack, but as half-time approached with the scoreboard still untroubled, Gwernyfed finally took the lead when the ‘home’ defence overstepped the line allowing Joe Winfield to put over the penalty that separated the teams at the break.

Within two minutes of the restart Crumlin took the lead with a try that owed a lot to brawn, a series of rucks five metres out eventually generating a try under the posts. Crumlin were dominant for the next ten minutes and it took some sound defence to hold the lead to four points. From a scrum under their own posts Gwernyfed ran the ball to the 22 courtesy of Gethin Davies and Craig Parry, allowing Winfield to execute a long clearance kick. The error that Crumlin committed regularly was to return kicks to full back Ryan Davies. The flyer had regularly beaten several tackles and made big runs and this occasion was no different. When brought down after a mazey fifty metre gallop, he released jack Williams on the left wing. He was also tackled, but Gethin Davies was on hand to collect and run in from twenty metres. The ever-reliable Winfield added the conversion.

For twenty minutes Gwernyfed assaulted the Crumlin defence. Inevitably legs tired and an experienced crew resorted to infringement to slow affairs down. The referee was alert to the ploy and regularly penalised offenders, Winfield adding further pain with three penalties to open up a 19-7 lead.

The hosts had generally based their game upon the pack, but, stung by the prospect of a defeat which damaged their promotion ambitions, mounted an expansive move by way of retaliation, the backs completing the job with an excellent try that saw the ball travel through a dozen pairs of hands.

The conversion looked to guarantee at least a losing bonus point, but the green, white and blacks had other ideas, returning to Crumlin’s 22 where strong drives from Prys Eckley and Rhys Price set up a ruck from which Jordan Curran emerged to carry the defence over from five metres.

The final whistle was a welcomed by Jack Williams’s tired side who nonetheless played wonderfully to beat a bigger side bolstered by players from more senior clubs, in the process maintaining the challenge towards the league title. The Talgarth side welcome Whiteheads to The Brian Jones Memorial Field on Saturday, following which three games on the road in quick succession will be critical in surmounting that challenge.

EAST BESTS WEST

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 07:38:15 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 24 NEYLAND 12

Photo courtesy of DRL Photography

On a glorious morning, the Gwernyfed squad and a battalion of supporters set off for the long trek to Newcastle Emlyn where a Cup Semi Final and a strong Neyland side awaited. The setting was as glorious as the weather and the green, white and black performance and the result all added together to make it a glorious day for skipper Jack Williams, the playersand coaches and the legions who abandoned Talgarth to cheer on their team.

Gwernyfed couldn’t have hoped for a better start, putting seven points on the board within two minutes. Fly half Joe Winfield kick off was perfectly crafted and with the green, white and black hoards bearing down, propelled by a huge noise from the sideline, Neyland rather scrambled to secure the ball.

Attempts to run out of defence were short-lived thanks to ferocious tackling until centre Gethin Davies stripped his opposite number of the ball and set up a ruck. Tom Griffiths moved the ball wide and the had a dart himself from a second ruck. The scrum half was hauled down, but lock Tom Lloyd was on hand to feed Gethin Davies who arrowed a long pass to full back Tyler Morris. Morris had plenty to do but launched himself into the corner to even louder cheers, not least from father Rob and grandfather Brian, both green, white and blacks of distinction in their day.

Neyland didn’t get to the semi by accident. The Pembrokeshire All Blacks went on to the attack from the restart and made yardage, always to be met by stern defence, Kelly Evans and Tom Millington amongst those with the highest tackle rates. Neyland tried Route 1 without much success but did look more dangerous when spreading the ball. However, adventure was their undoing when the ball was spilled on the Gwernyfed 22 – in the immediate vicinity of centre Dylan Skyrme. Tackles were shrugged off by the pocket battleship and once daylight beckoned no one had a hope of stopping a marvellous try crafted from scraps. Winfield’s conversion added insult to Neyland’s injury.

Photo courtesy of DRL Photography

Perhaps the comfort of a fourteen-point lead within ten minutes tempted Gwernyfed to be too ambitious. A couple of kickable penalties were used instead to produce attacking line-outs, though both efforts came to nothing. A really enticing scoring opportunity went begging when a punt through in lieu of the better option, a pass, was too heavy. Neyland took advantage of the let offs to mount a series of drives up the middle, Ben Williams completing the sequence by crashing over to reduce the arrears.

With half-time approaching Gwernyfed seized another opportunity after will Eckley was brought down ten yards out. Tom Griffiths wasted no time in releasing Joe Winfield whose sublime pass left Gethin Davies with only three men to beat over ten metres – no contest for man of the match Davies who plunged over to restore the lead before the oranges were brought out.

A feature of the game was Joe Winfield’s clearance kicking. On several occasions when Neyland threatened, Winfield turned the attackers with fifty metre touchline kicks. Inevitably heads dropped and matters took an even more serious turn for the West Walians when, after transgressing at a line out forced by one of Winfield’s ‘specials’, flanker Will Eckley took a tap penalty from five metres and charged over the line largely unattended.

Faced with the need to score three tries in the last quarter, Neyland, spurred on by their own vociferous support, had the majority of possession and handled well, skipper and centre George Williams and full back Paddy Bellamy the standouts. However, the attacks were not incisive, the sword being preferred to the rapier, and the fresh legs of replacements Rory Mears, Craig Parry, Scott Rees, Kyle Davies and Rhys Price meant that the stout defence was shored up, restricting encroachment too close to the try line.

With defence the order of the last ten minutes, penalties were conceded at regular intervals. Three points were not enough by this stage and the tap penalty came to the fore. From yet another attack, George Williams did get the ball down close to the posts, Oli Rotheroe adding the conversion, but it was too little and too late to prevent mass celebrations breaking out amongst the green, white and black faithful when the final whistle was blown.

Rugby was very much the winner on the day. Neither side deserved to lose had the outcome been judged on endeavour and effort. However, the speed and penetration that Gwernyfed displayed throughout had the Talgarth men as worthy winners, their reward a Final against old friends and rivals, Seven Sisters RFC.

This win and an impressive league record owe much to the sterling work of recent coaches James Reynolds, Dave Roberts and Richard East, the foundations they laid now turned into an unbeaten side playing with great panache by the current coaching team of Lee Thomas, Alun Phillips, Gareth Dodd and Tomi Lewis. The green, white and blacks owe these men and so many more a great season in this, the Club’s sixtieth year. They are certainly delivering on that debt.

GWERNYFED SERVE UP HORS D’OEUVRES

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 08:40:29 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

PONTLLANFRAITH 14 GWERNYFED 92

The green, white and blacks led by Jack Williams set off to the Sirhowy Valley with two main objectives; to maintain their promotion pitch and to put in a good performance ahead of next weekend’s WRU Cup semi-final against Neyland. Mission accomplished.

Gwernyfed had overwhelmed Pontllanfraith when they visited Talgarth back in September and things didn’t improve for the hosts on their own ‘patch’, a rampant Gwernyfed side scoring fourteen tries, eleven converted by impeccable fly half Joe Winfield.

It didn’t take long for the rot to set in, albeit in the unlikely form of a Cellan Skryme sidestepping try from rather further out than is normally the case for the reliable prop. Props were to the fore in the early stages with Prys Eckley going over for the second five-pointer as a reward from some great support play. Eckley’s try saw Gwernyfed pass the 500-point mark in the league campaign so far – in only the eleventh game!

The backs regained the spotlight with right wing speedster and Gwernyfed director Will Lloyd claiming another hat-trick before half-time as well as feeding skipper Williams when threatening a fourth score, Williams needing no second invitation.

The scoreboard ticked towards the half century when Lloyd Powell proved to be unstoppable and though the hosts had managed a score, at 49-7 as the second period started, Pontllanfraith’s chances had disappeared.

The resumption helped little. The sight of Gethin Davies in full flight has most defences in disarray and this was no exception. Davies scored twice, as did fellow centre Dylan Skyrme. The forwards made their mark throughout and got on the scoresheet again by way of replacement Rhys Price, but the speedsters had the final say courtesy of skipper Williams again and replacement scrum half Luke Eckley. Winfield completed the scoring by converting Eckley’s try before the whistle.

While the First XV had rather a walk in the park, Jamie Coles’s Athletic XV battled against a bulky Abersychan Alexander team in the Ivor Jones Cup at Trefecca Road. The visiting pack just had the better of things up front, scoring tries from close range to secure a 23-17 win in a game that could have gone either way.

There will be a mass exodus next weekend, with the Athletic squad joining the First XV in their journey to Newcastle Emlyn, the neutral venue for the semi-final against Pembrokeshire side Neyland RFC. The Clubs have never met before, adding another facet to what will be an exciting afternoon.

GWERNYFED DEMOLISH TITLE CHALLENGERS

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 08:24:30 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 48 BEDWELLTY 15

Without a game for seven weeks as a function of the Six Nations, weather and opposition unavailability, Gwernyfed might well have been ring rusty as they took on a Sirhowy valley side that had only had one league defeat this term. To record a seven try win with a 33-point margin, even though one or two aspects of the green, white and black game showed the need for bit more match day practice, speaks volumes for a performance that is typical of those bringing big crowds to The Brian Jones Memorial Field.

From the first whistle skipper Jack Williams and his men were on the front foot. When Bedwellty got the occasional touch it came in the form of long clearance kicks which served only to see Gwernyfed’s speedy back three, Tyler Morris, Will Lloyd and Ryan Davies, run the ball back at the visitors who had no option but to deploy their big men in defence. It was inevitable that something had to give, that adage confirmed when a defender slowed down ruck ball illegitimately, Joe Winfield turning that indiscretion into three points in only the third minute.

It was seven minutes before Bedwellty ventured over the halfway line in any meaningful way. Their trip came to nothing when the ball was spilled, but things got worse when Gwernyfed’s pack offered number eight Lloyd Powell opportunity to pick up going forward. Powell’s power and speed have been a feature of the season so far and he didn’t disappoint on this occasion. A rumbustious run from twenty metres inside his own half took the Hay man towards the opposition 22. The defending full back approached only to see Powell release left wing Ryan Davies with a perfect pass. To Bedwellty’s credit the cover defence managed to halt Davies, but an offload back to Powell saw the attack finish with Powell finding scrum half Tom Griffiths on his elbow to complete a wonderful move. Inevitably Winfield added the two points.

The crowd had hardly settled down when the lead was extended. A Bedwellty attack was thwarted by a Tom Lloyd turnover. The resultant clearance was fielded by the visitors’ backs, but an attempt to find a way through Gwernyfed’s defence saw a long pass fall into the hands of fly half Winfield. Always the coolest on the pitch, Winfield allowed the opposition to approach before prodding the ball forty metres, the starting gun for a foot race. Not many will beat Dylan Skyrme for speed, and so it proved, the young centre adding another excellent try to the hatful he has this term.

Arriving with great expectations, Bedwellty could have been forgiven had they let their heads drop as they found themselves seventeen points down by the end of the first quarter. Instead they deployed their sizeable pack in a full-frontal assault. The home defence was sound, Jordan Curran, Prys Eckley, Toby Millington and Will Eckley prominent in the tackle area, but when a maul from a few metres out threatened the home whitewash a long arm from the Sirhowy Valley snaked out to get the visitors on the score board.

Any thoughts of a comeback were quickly dispelled. Winfield took the home side up the touchline courtesy of a couple of offences. The resultant line out yielded quick ball which Winfield threw wide to Will Lloyd. The Clyro man has an unerring instinct for the line and almost made it from 25 metres. When Lloyd was hauled down scrum half Griffiths arrowed a pass into the midriff of prop Cellan Skyrme who was unstoppable from five metres.

Bedwellty started the second period determined to keep the ball tight, depriving the Gwernyfed speedsters of opportunity. A series of scrums and rucks in Gwernyfed territory was the visitors’ best period of the game, the tactics rewarded with a try from short range by one of their big forwards.

The response was swift and decisive. The restart was fumbled, giving the green, white and blacks a scrum of the visitors’ 22. Hooker Kelly Evans delivered according to script, Lloyd Powell picking up at the base, scattering the defence and touching down with aplomb.

By now fresh legs were adding to Bedwellty’s woes, particularly in the form of Rhys Price who, when a labyrinthine run from Ryan Davies was brought to an end, took a short pass from scrum half Griffiths and barrelled over from ten metres, taking three defenders with him.

Not everything went to plan for Gwernyfed. A wonderful interception by Tyler Morris saw the full back sprint fifty metres for what looked an inevitable try, only to drop the ball when unchallenged. Bedwellty also scored a third try courtesy of their front five – though that effort was cancelled out when skipper Williams chased the restart, leapt above the defence and proceeded to weave his way to the try line for yet another splendid five-pointer.

The final try rather summed up the fortunes of the two sides. After securing a line-out five metres out, uncharacteristically the visitors spread the ball wide. The move came to nothing when the left wing was tackled ten metres out, but the worst of all worlds from Bedwellty’s perspective was that the loose ball fell to Ryan Davies. The winger showed a clean pair of heels to the despairing visitors to run in the seventh try from 80 metres.

A visit to Pontllanfraith beckons next week, after which Talgarth will empty as all concerned head off to Newcastle Emlyn where the green, white and blacks take on Neyland RFC in the semi-final of the WRU cup. Coaches Dodd, Lewis, Phillips and Thomas will look to iron out a couple of creases apparent in this game over the next fortnight, though it would be churlish to do anything other than celebrate another wonderful performance that leaves Gwernyfed unbeaten this term.

EIGHT TRIES – NO DRAMA

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 08:23:04 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

BETTWS (NEWPORT) 7 GWERNYFED 52

If the sizeable travelling contingent had concerns at half-time after a frustrating forty minutes, their concerns were addressed by a Prys Eckley try within a minute of the resumption. The next thirty-nine minutes yielded six more tries and yet another 50-point win for the men in green, white and black.

Played on a sticky surface facing an opposition with one game plan – blast down the middle using a hefty front five – Gwernyfed struggled to make their mark on the game in the early exchanges. The hosts’ tactic, while maybe not champagne rugby, was effective in allowing the Newport side to take the lead on ten minutes when a driving maul from a line-out produced seven points.

Gwernyfed struck back almost immediately courtesy of skipper Jack Williams. A strong run from centre Tom Morgan took play deep in the Bettws half and, after both Dylan Skyrme and Lloyd Powell made ground, half backs Luke Eckley and Joe Winfield brought full back Tyler Morris into the line. Though Morris’s pass was perfectly timed, Williams still had to negotiate the covering defence, a challenge he negotiated with some style.

With a quarter of the game run Gwernyfed looked likely to overwhelm their hosts. However, it never quite happened, a few unforced errors and some dogged defence allowing the Newport fifteen to enjoy the half-time orange with a two-point lead and the scent of a shock in the air.

Fresh legs came on for the second period in the form of Rhys Price and Ryan Davies, the latter returning to his home Club after spells with Cardiff, Ebbw Vale and Brecon. From the restart Gwernyfed mounted an assault on the home side’s line, prop Eckley getting the touch down with his pack propelling him over the whitewash. Winfield potted the first of his six conversions.

Price was making inroads with some rip-roaring runs into the heart of the defence and when Bettws resorted to illegality to stop him, quick-thinking scrum half Luke Eckley took a tap penalty, passing to evergreen hooker Craig Parry whose momentum took him over with three defenders.

More replacements, Tom Griffiths, Kelly Davies and newcomer John Howard, came on add to the mounting worries on the faces of the Bettws defenders. Their fears were justified. Direct from the restart the ball went across the line to Tom Morgan. The Llandefalle man approached the half-way line before releasing Ryan Davies on the left. Davies’s return to the green, white and black fold was celebrated by a dazzling run through a massed defence that failed to lay a hand on the flier as he touched down under the posts to make Winfield’s job a formality.

With the forwards, John Howard impressing, battering the defence in search of more tries the speedsters out wide expected to profit, though it was young replacement hooker Kelly Davies next on the slate, using power and guile to get over in the corner. If that try was owed to muscle, the next was owed to the twinkling feet of outside-half Winfield. The game-maker took matters into his own hands when thirty metres out with a delicious sidestep that allowed him to saunter in unattended.

By now it was a case of how many. Some good work from Craig Parry and Tom Millington provided Dylan Skyrme with an opportunity, the centre needing no second invitation to outpace the defence from twenty-five metres. The final nail in the plucky Bettws coffin was delivered from deep when Tyler Morris spotted Winfield out wide and landed a pinpoint kick into the bread-basket. Winfield carried for thirty metres, Tom Morgan took up the cause and when stopped Jordan Curran cleared from the ruck to Ryan Davies on the twenty-two metre line. The winger completed his double with aplomb, wrapping up a great win on an afternoon when the early signs suggested otherwise.

The Six Nations tournament takes precedence next weekend, after which Gwernyfed look to extend their season-long unbeaten run when they play host to Whitehead RFC from Newport – book your tickets early!

TABLE TOPPERS TOPPLED BY GWERNYFED

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 09:12:55 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 27 RTB EBBW VALE 10

The visitors to Talgarth are top of the division having played more games than the green, white and blacks. Both sides went over the white line unbeaten in the league this term, but it was Gwernyfed who were the convincing victors, securing an eighth try-scoring bonus from this, their eighth league game.

With inspirational skipper Sam Stephens sidelined by injury, Jack Williams assumed the captain’s armband with Tom Millington pulling on Stephens’s number seven jersey. From the whistle Gwernyfed launched a series of attacks to be met by determined defence. It was fully ten minutes before the visitors got hands on ball in any meaningful sense, though a combination of strong tackling and a couple of misses at the line-out kept the scoreboard blank.

Gwernyfed maintained the pressure with fly half Winfield kicking well but, frustrated by some rather officious refereeing, the Talgarth men failed to really threaten the line until the twenty-fifth minute. Taking a line-out on the halfway mark the backs were released. Dylan Skyrme made twenty metres down the right and, when stopped, cousin Cellan drove hard, sucking in defenders. Scrum half Tom Griffiths was quick to the ruck and the swift hands of Prys Eckley, Winfield and Tyler Morris saw skipper Williams brought down ten metres out. Like all good eights, Lloyd Powell was on hand to pick up and plough over taking defenders with him.

A couple of try-scoring opportunities were squandered by Gwernyfed, given which, when presented with a penalty thirty metres out Winfield’s trusty boot extended the lead to eight, though with half-time approaching that was a poor harvest for the efforts of the home side. A great move out wide rather improved matters. Gethin Davies looped a long pass to Dylan Skyrme forty metres out. Skyrme sensed that full back Tyler Morris was coming into the line at pace, his intuition rewarded with a dazzling run and a final, unselfish pass to allow right wing Will Lloyd the five points. Winfield converted from the touchline as the referee’s whistle went for the break.

RTB are some side and even though Gwernyfed had dominated the first period action, the green, white and blacks still had plenty to do. Within five minutes any concern was laid to rest. From the kick off Cellan Skyrme charged down the attempted clearance and the rebound was fumbled. Gwernyfed took the scrum five metres out, scrum half Griffiths, given an armchair ride by the pack, snapped the ball to Gethin Davies, a man unstoppable from ten metres. His touchdown under the posts made Winfield’s work a formality.

Within three minutes the fourth try, securing the bonus point, was a collector’s piece. Gwernyfed took a scrum just outside their twenty-two. When the ball went back to Winfield he spotted that the RTB defence was narrow and launched a kick to the left wing, landing perfectly for skipper Williams to motor in from fifty metres notwithstanding the attention of the cover defence.

With over twenty minutes to go the vociferous home support looked for a landslide. However, RTB Ebbw Vale’s unbeaten record has been hard-earned and the visitors responded with attack led by their pack. A try after a series of mauls offered the first sign of recovery, but stout defence led by Tom Lloyd and Jordan Curran restricted real opportunity. The deficit looked to being increased when Gethin Davies made a strong run from the halfway line only to be stopped by a marvellous cover tackle. That brought Gwernyfed’s attacking efforts to an end, the remainder of what became a scrappy game seeing RTB score a second try, again after a host of rucks, just before the referee brought the game to an end with the green, white and blacks worthy victors.

Next weekend involves a trip to Newport where Bettws will be the hosts. There is a big target on the backs of the Talgarth outfit with all opponents keen to be the ones to be first to beat Gwernyfed in their 60th season. The coaching team will have that very much in mind during the lead-up to the game.

SEMI FINAL AWAITS SIX TRY GWERNYFED

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 08:57:48 GMT

WRU Division 4 Cup

TYLORSTOWN 24 GWERNYFED 52

A visit to Tylorstown would not have been Gwernyfed’s first choice when the numbers came out of the hat for the cup draw. However, notwithstanding travelling to hostile territory and the loss of iconic captain Sam Stephens to serious injury before the break, the green, white and blacks carried all before them with yet another 50-point performance.

Joe Winfield was instrumental in the win, the fly-half recording 22 points from the kicking tee and always choosing the right option to get the best out of an impressive three-quarter line. When heft was needed up front, Lloyd Powell, Jordan Curran and Tom Lloyd were just three of the eight holding up their hands for work, offering a platform for half backs Tom Griffiths and Winfield in an impressive showing.

It all started so badly. Within a minute the ring-rustiness occasioned by the five week Christmas/weather break allowed the home backs to waltz in under the posts unattended. Worse was to come in the seventh minute, the lead extended to twelve points when an innocuous looking ruck out wide saw the home left wing pick up and go into the corner.

Winfield re-started with the words of skipper Stephens and the roars of the large contingent of travelling support ringing in green, white and black ears. The fly half put the ball into touch in the home 22 consistently. Tylorstown defended a couple of line-outs close in but conceded a five metre scrum when the ever-reliable Craig Parry charged down the relieving kick. No guile was deployed and none was needed. Gethin Davies lined up to receive the ball from Tom Griffiths, had only three defenders lining up to meet him – and that is not enough from ten metres, the Hay centre crashing over to allow Winfield a simple conversion.

A trend was established as Gwernyfed pressed forward. Inevitably the hosts had need to transgress, at this stage unaware of the deadly accuracy of Winfield’s aim. The three-pointer from distance on the half hour should have set alarm bells ringing.

The next incursion saw Lloyd Powell picking up at the base of a scrum on the halfway line. Powell rampaged forward for thirty metres supported by scrum half Griffiths. When the move was stopped within five metres of the whitewash, quick clearance allowed Winfield to assess his options, the perfect choice being a forty metre chip to right wing Will Lloyd who collected under pressure to give Gwernyfed the lead. Winfield converted from the touchline!

A major blow struck from the restart when the backbone of the side, magnificent Club Captain and great flanker Sam Stephens went down when receiving a heavy blow while attempting to turn the ball over, The exchange happened in front of the home supporters and to their immense credit several ran on, aware that this was a serious injury, to assist. Stephens, first-time father to Wilfred only five days earlier, rarely goes down and it was no surprise at all when he had to be helped off, doctors at Prince Charles hospital confirming physio Dani Clarke’s diagnosis of a badly dislocated shoulder.

The scoreline may suggest that the Talgarth side had it all their own way. That was far from the case, the hosts moving the ball well and never less than competitive up front. Still digesting the loss of their inspirational skipper, Gwernyfed lost the lead as Tylorstown scored tries either side of half-time. Vice-Captain Jack Williams reminded his men that they owed Stephens a trip to the semis – it was all downhill from there.

From a line-out on the halfway line Winfield made twenty metres and then a move involving Gethin Davies and Dylan Skyrme put Will Lloyd free. When the Clyro man was brought down, Will Eckley, Cellan Skyrme, Jordan Curran and Davies all threatened the line with the whitewash finally crossed by hooker Craig Parry, a reward for a man who has performed magnificently in green, white and black over the seasons.

Winfield opened up a three-point lead with a penalty. From the restart a line-out win after a great clearance kick by Jack Williams had Tom Griffiths making a break, Davies was on his elbow and when assailed by three defenders offloaded to Williams who went close. The ball went wide to Will Lloyd from the resultant ruck. Lloyd had much to do but is having a great season, his strength and confidence carrying him over with three defenders in attendance.

Winfield’s conversion was supplemented by another three-pointer on the hour. By now Tylorstown could see the writing on the wall, that script writ large when, within a minute of the restart, expansive moves to left and right were rewarded when Davies, having made twenty metres under fire, delivered the perfect pass to centre partner Dylan Skyrme who needed no second invitation to outpace the defence to touch down.

Even the occasional foray into Gwernyfed’s half helped the hosts little. When winning a ruck on their 22-metre line Winfield saw Gethin Davies out wide. Winfield’s fifty metre punt was unerring and after Davies had made forty metres with only the full back to beat, he took the unselfish option, offering Skyrme a run-in, breaking Tylorstown hearts.

Winfield added a penalty to take Gwernyfed over the fifty-point mark, capping a wonderful performance. By then Tylorstown had accepted defeat and while launching a couple of attacks. At the final whistle and in the Clubhouse later the hosts were generous in their welcome and in their praise for a great green, white and black performance.

Coaches Thomas, Lewis, Phillips and Dodd must take immense credit for the win and for the standards attained by both the First and Athletic sides in the season so far. However, there are no laurels upon which to rest yet. The coaching team and the men who run over the white line next Saturday face a big task when RTB Ebbw Vale visit The Brian Jones Memorial Field as league action returns to Talgarth.

GWERNYFED’S CUP RUN CONTINUES

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 10:22:26 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 43 RTB EBBW VALE 7

Both sides had enjoyed an unbeaten season before this game, their 100% records spoiled only by a draw down in Ebbw Vale in early November. However, it soon became clear that it was Sam Stephens’s side that would be in the quarter-final draw, Dylan Skyrme scoring the first try of a hat-trick within five minutes in a win that saw Gwernyfed dominate every phase of the game.

Skyrme, one of nine in the starting line-up whose father and/or grandfather played in green, white and black, took advantage of some poor alignment and weak tackling by the visiting centres after Luke Eckley released the backs from scrum thirty metres out. The youngster, arguably more fleet-footed than father Geraint and grandfather ‘Taxi’ in their playing days, needed no second invitation, going in unattended to make Joe Winfield’s conversion a formality.

RTB’s only real excursions into the hosts half in the first period were from the kick-offs, but when any of skipper Stephens, lock Tom Lloyd or Lloyd Powell collected, normal service was resumed as each charged into the visitors’ territory, setting up rucks for the speedsters to exploit.

Winfield at fly half creates space and times his pass to perfection. With Gethin Davies and Skyrme outside him they represent a taxing problem for defences and made massive inroads. However, the forwards had their say when Lloyd Powell got involved in a move, the impressive number 8 beating all before him from 25 metres. When Powell was finally brought down, prop Prys Eckley was on hand to get his name on the scoresheet, a reward for a player who shines in the tight, in defence with ferocious tackling, at ruck time and in broken play – a hugely influential player at Gwernyfed these days, like father Stuart and Uncle Mike before him.

The visitors saw little of the ball and when forced to clear in desperation invariably found one of back three Will Lloyd, Jack Williams and Tyler Morris. All three, Morris in particular, cut through the defence at speed, setting up rucks which were swiftly cleared to Winfield and the back line. On twenty minutes the fly half spotted Skyrme and Williams out wide, releasing an arrow of a long pass which Skyrme took at a pace that the covering defence couldn’t cope with. Williams was on hand, but the youngster didn’t need help, touching down in the corner.

Winfield narrowly missed the conversion from the touchline, the only ‘blemish’ on an impeccable afternoon demonstrating fly half play at its best. His next involvement was to add three points when the visitors strayed offside and within minutes he converted the try of the day. From a scrum on the half-way line Winfield passed to Dylan Skyrme, Gethin Davies looped around his outside centre and made huge progress until passing inside to full back Tyler Morris. Morris switched back out to vice-captain Williams who rounded the defence to run under the posts. The roar from the massive home crowd was heard in Three Cocks!

With a twenty-nine point advantage at the break the home side could have been excused if they had taken their feet off the pedals. Coaches Thomas, Phillips and Lewis would have none of that. The second half was almost as one-sided as the first, the score slightly constrained by some sympathetic decisions by a very good referee who nonetheless saw forward passes and offences that mystified even the visitors and served to prevent at least three tries.

Rugby rarely sees one side dominate throughout the eighty minutes and, after a frustrating quarter during which Gwernyfed were denied further tries, RTB did press the home line on the hour and finally got some reward for their efforts, touching down after a series of rucks within the five-metre line. However, the arrival of fresh home legs in the form of Anthony Parry, Kyle Davies, Andrew Norris and Mark Gwynne up front and Calum Fergusson out wide put the visitors under the sword again.

After Parry had been denied an apparently perfect try, a ruck twenty metres out on the right went swiftly through the hands of Luke Eckley, Winfield, Davies and Morris to the left wing. On this occasion there was no need for Fergusson’s speed and illusiveness, those inside him had moved the ball so quickly that a gentle canter into the corner sufficed, Winfield potting the two points from the touch line once again.

The final score originated from a scrum in Gwernyfed’s 22. The backs made headway with Tyler Morris weaving his way to the opposition ten metre line. Luke Eckley was quick to the breakdown, giving Joe Winfield space for a beautifully weighted chip through for Fergusson to chase. Collecting the ball with aplomb, the winger was odds on to score but when challenged by the visiting full back offloaded to Dylan Skyrme whose third try was a formality.

The win puts Gwernyfed to the last eight of the cup with a visit to the Principality Stadium the prize for the finalists. Based upon this performance and the season to date, Stephens and his men stand a real chance of marking the Club’s sixtieth season by continuing their winning ways.

HORS D’OEUVRES BEFORE CUP MAIN COURSE

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 08:26:40 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 68 FORGESIDE 0

With a home tie against RTB Ebbw Vale in the last 16 of the WRU Cup a week away, green, white and black Club Captain Sam Stephens and his team looked to loosen the muscles against Forgeside from Blaenavon. The home supporters were not to be disappointed, Gwernyfed running in ten tries to maintain their unbeaten record in their sixtieth season.

It’s not often that the first moments suggest the route that a game of rugby will take. On this occasion, when the visitors transgressed from the kick-off and Joe Winfield put his pack within five metres of the line, Cellan Skyrme’s unerring throw found skipper Stephens. Forgeside stood off the rolling maul, the pack trundled forward and Stephens touched down, the referee adjudging that the green, white and blacks had executed the move perfectly. Joe Winfield added two points to compound Forgeside’s dismay – and the direction of travel for the next 80 minutes was firmly established.

From the restart Lloyd Powell made yards to offer his backs a platform. Gwernyfed’s three-quarters need no second invitation. Winfield and Gethin Davies released quickly, left wing Calum Fergusson looped round, making yards before finding Dylan Skyrme who timed his pass to right wing Will Lloyd perfectly. The Clyro man ran in unattended to complete a sublime try from sixty metres out. Winfield’s task was simple, though in potting nine out of ten conversions from every angle through the afternoon, the fly half’s contribution was magnificent.

Fourteen points down within five minutes, the visitors rallied and attempted to blast their way to a try down the middle. The home defence stood absolutely firm, Tom Lloyd and Prys Eckley amongst those with notable tackle counts. When the ball was turned over, defence turned to unstoppable attack when centre Gethin Davies beat all before him from forty metres to touch down under the posts.

If fault was to be found at all it was that at times the Gwernyfed attackers were too ambitious, ‘wonder passes’ not always finding their man. However, adventure was the winner when a flowing move involving Winfield, Davies and Fergusson found winger Lloyd looping around to deliver the bonus point try.

The forwards were determined that the speedsters behind wouldn’t steal all of the glory and, when Stephens plucked the ball out of the air from a five-metre line out, lock Will Eckley collected to run around the front of the maul and touch down, Winfield bringing the first half score to 35-0 with a conversion from wide out.

Having been very much second best up front, Forgeside opted for uncontested scrums in the second period and for a time the ploy paid off, if only by way of slowing the onslaught. However, when Gethin Davies made one of his trademark runs, converting defence to attack, replacements Tom Griffiths and Jordan Curran were prominent in taking the ball to the five metre line from where the ball was spread to another impact player, Kyle Davies, to touch down wide out.

After an hour the result of the plucky visitors’ efforts began to show with tackles being missed. That is not to be recommended with Gwernyfed’s back line in this mood, swift-footed centre Dylan Skyrme going over from distance for the seventh try.

With the light fading the last fifteen minutes saw the Gwernyfed pack drive home their dominance, Tom Lloyd and Jordan Curran scoring from close range, their tries sandwiched by the sight of Will Lloyd arrowing in from the wing for his hat-trick. That the referee blew up a few minutes early spoke volumes.

The neutral observer would have seen this as a bloodless victory for a rampant Gwernyfed squad. That may have been the case, but the manner of the performance was important in maintaining momentum in the run-up to Christmas with two vital home games at Trefecca Road over the next two weeks. RTB Ebbw Vale come over the hills in the hope of continuing their own cup run and then Crickhowell renew acquaintances in the league, hoping to reverse the win delivered by Stephens and his men by the Usk back in September. It should be an exciting December.

A SUCCESSFUL WEEKEND FOR GWERNYFED

Tue, 19 Nov 2024 08:18:12 GMT

A great weekend of Rugby started off with a large crowd supporting the local derby between Gwernyfed and Brecon Under 16s on Friday evening. In an excellent game both sides entertained showing the future promise is strong in both clubs. It was Gwernyfed who pulled away to register a fine 43-17 victory.

The two senior men's side both had away fixtures in Gwent within a few miles so loaded up the bus. The First team kept their unbeaten run this season intact as they recorded a convincing 11 try victory against Whitehead 69-12.

Following the usual pattern against bigger opposition who prefer the forward route Gwernyfed scored four first half tried to lead 26-12 at half time. In the second half the superior fitness saw a further seven tries with some excellent play up front releasing their exciting young backs. Lloyd Powell at no.8 had another outstanding game notching a try hatrick with winger Cal Ferguson and centre Gethin Davies notching a brace each. The win moves the side up to second place in the league with games in hand.

The Athletic meanwhile consolidated their top spot on the Dragons league with a close victory against Blackwood Griffins with a 26-24 scoreline. Will Powell returning from injury led the way with a brace of tries,Gareth Dodd and Ieaun Thomas also touching down.

The Ladies team rounded off a great weekend for senior Rugby as they defeated visitors Old Penarthians 24-20. The win sees them climb the league. Well led by skipper Bronnie Jones the home side notched four tries. A brace of tries from Summer Chick and one each from Meg Nicolas and Sophie Licence-Law aided by two important conversions by Cerys Evans cemented an excellent win.

With many matches at junior and Red Kites level within the club over the weekend, overall it's been a very enjoyable weekend for players and supporters across the board.

EIGHT TRY BLITZ FROM GWERNYFED

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 08:08:51 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 54 BETTWS (NEWPORT) 24

A big crowd, including a large travelling contingent, was treated to an exhilarating game of rugby, the speed of the Gwernyfed attack bemusing the visitors from Newport who nonetheless contributed to a great game of rugby with some excellent work up front.

Bettws kicked off and immediately felt the weight of the Gwernyfed defence with skipper Sam Stephens leading by example. Within a minute Stephens released fly half Tyler Morris after winning the ball in the ruck. Morris found Dylan Skyrme with a long pass and the Talgarth youngster danced through the defence, releasing Calum Fergusson at just the right moment. The winger finished off from twenty metres.

There followed a period of arm wrestling with the green, white and blacks pack finding their opposite numbers to be well-drilled in both line out and scrum. Prys Eckley, Tom Lloyd and Lloyd Powell all came close but it was only when the ball went wide that the scoreboard budged. After Morris had prodded the ball forward, forcing the defence to concede a five-metre scrum, strong and influential scrum half Tomi Griffiths linked up with Lloyd Powell to see full back Zack Snape come into the line, his pass to Will Lloyd timed to perfection. The Clyro man can smell the try line and arrowed in, Tyler Morris converting from wide out.

The visitors enjoyed some territory for the remainder of the first period, a series of line outs and mauls down the left eventually seeing them reduce the arrears with a try that spoke well for their pack’s ability and effort. Tyler Morris extended the lead with a penalty before the break, but at 15-5, it looked to be either side’s game.

The first minutes of the second period rather pointed the way to the final outcome. Morris potted a three-pointer. So far, so banal. However, Bettws picked out the wrong man from the restart. Centre Gareth Davies fielded the ball deep inside his own half and proceeded to shred the defence with a forty-metre run. When faced with the full back the Hay youngster kicked to perfection, finding centre partner Dylan Skyrme who collected the ball to run in unattended.

With the game looking secure perhaps Gwernyfed relaxed, though in a game in which the scoreline suggests otherwise, Bettws were never less than competitive and by the 55-minute mark had pulled back to within four points, courtesy of two converted tries scored by way of an excellent rolling maul.

Stung by the comeback, Stephens’s side proceeded to put the game to bed. Joe Winfield, coming on as replacement after his return from Australia, showed what an asset he can be with a long run from the restart. That move was eventually snuffed out by way of a high tackle. Gethin Davies was the quickest thinker, taking the tap and making thirty metres to find Lloyd Powell on his shoulder. The number 8 is having a great season and continued in that vein, carrying the defence over with him for the bonus point try, converted by Morris.

It wouldn’t be Saturday without a try by superb prop Cellan Skyrme and so the adage was proved to be correct when the Bronllys man got the final touch courtesy of a rolling maul instigated by a soaring Sam Stephens line-out take. That workmanlike success was followed by a sixty metre try, Davies passing to his outside centre Dylan Skyrme just outside the Gwernyfed 22, Skyrme proceeding to outpace the tiring defence to go over untouched by Bettws hand.

One can’t praise Bettws enough. Faced with scintillating pace the Newport side recognised that their only route was through the forwards and, when opportunity presented itself in the form of a charged down kick, they took uill advantage, securing their own four-try bonus point.

A seventh try was added for the Talgarth side by robust young hooker Kelly Evans who grows into the shirt week by week, Joe Winfield converting for his first Gwernyfed points since returning from the Antipodes.

The final move of the game was a peach, one that an excellent battle deserved. Once again Gethin Davies fielded the restart. His pass to Dylan Skyrme was shipped on to Will Lloyd who made great headway up the right. When confronted, Lloyd found top flanker Sam Clegg on his shoulder, Clegg linked with replacement scrum half Luke Eckley who then passed to the green, white and blacks’ mighty captain Sam Stephens, always in the right place, who made Winfield’s conversion a formality.

Bettws played a great part in a game of rugby that lit up an otherwise dismal day. However, the travelling support was generous in its praise for a Gwernyfed side that is playing some exciting rugby in a season that sees the green, white and blacks unbeaten to date. Next week’s test comes by way of a trip to Whitehead in Newport where the hosts will no doubt be looking to wrest the record from Gwernyfed.

On Sunday Gwernyfed Ladies embarked upon a marathon journey to the seaside in the WRU Championship. The journey proved to be productive as Bronnie Jones’s team produced a bonus point, 22-10 win over Porthcawl, rendering the journey home far more pleasant than may have been the case otherwise. Tries came by way of a brace from Leighanne Norman and scores by Rosie East and Poppy Thompson, rounding off a successful weekend for the Gwernyfed senior sides.

BOTH SIDES RETAIN UNBEATEN RECORD

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 08:20:25 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

RTB EBBW VALE 27 GWERNYFED 27

The old phrase ‘something has to give’ did not apply when the final whistle went, RTB salvaging a draw in the dying seconds to retain their unbeaten league record. Gwernyfed travelled south and returned with their own unbeaten record intact, adding a four try bonus to the two points for a draw, just edging the bragging rights over their hosts who scored three tries.

A large travelling supporting contingent saw a great game of rugby with the outcome in doubt from start to finish. The early exchanges probably went Gwernyfed’s way, but that was for nothing when RTB opened the score with a penalty from fly half Lewis Jayne and then extended the lead to ten points with a try from Cory Lewis converted by Jayne.

The green, white and blacks always looked dangerous but were frustrated by some vigorous defence and a few uncharacteristic errors. It took the old favourite rolling maul to break Gwernyfed’s duck. Cellan Skyrme found Tom Lloyd at the line-out and the pack mauled their way to the line with Skyrme claiming the five points, Tyler Morris added the extras.

Half-time had the hosts six points ahead courtesy of another Jayne penalty that was cancelled out by a Morris penalty in the first minute of the second period. However, the Ebbw Vale side took advantage of a poorly fielded restart, scoring in the corner, Jayne’s conversion adding to Gwernyfed’s woes.

Sam Stephens rallied his side to great effect. For twenty minutes the Ebbw line was under siege, desperate defence resulting in a series of penalties from one of which number nine Luke Eckley took a quick tap, delivering to Tyler Morris who went over from ten metres out, reducing the arrears further by converting his try.

The lead was claimed with ten minutes to go when skipper Stephens ploughed over and, when Luke Eckley was the quickest thinker again, taking a tap penalty and jinking through the defence for the bonus point try, a win looked inevitable. However, RTB showed throughout just why they are having a great season with a final effort that yielded a try in the corner. Nerves were frayed all round save for Ebbw’s kicker, Jayne, who brought the curtain down on a great game by converting from wide out. The two sides meet in the cup in Talgarth in early December – it should be a great afternoon.

Meanwhile, Gwernyfed Athletic also took on unbeaten opponents in Newport HSOB Expendables in the Dragons Athletic League. It was a ding-dong battle with both teams eager to play a fast open game, Gwernyfed eventually running out 36-29 winners. The Gwernyfed squad was made up of a real mix of old heads, including seven current minis and juniors coaches led by Section Chair Chris McGowan, and plenty of young talent looking to make a mark to push into the first team. The win means Gwernyfed Athletic sit top of the Dragons League and will be looking to build on the early season promise and continue to stay on top.

Below: Athletic Mini/Junior coaches and Athletic old hands!

Messrs (L-R) Harley, Barrell, Roberts, McGowan, Williams, Roe and Phillips.

GWERNYFED EASE INTO NEXT ROUND OF CUP

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 09:10:35 GMT

WRU Division 4 Cup Round 2

BEDWELLTY 19 GWERNYFED 34

Gwernyfed eased their way into the next round of the WRU Division 4 Cup with a comfortable six-try victory against fellow league team, Bedwellty.

The visiting side were first on the scoresheet when winger Calum Fergusson squeezed over with an acrobatic finish. Bedwellty, with the older and heavier pack, preferred the direct route and soon registered two penalties, cancelled out by another wide movement. Winger Will Lloyd took a fine long miss pass at pace, evaded several tackles well and linked with supporting full back Zack Snape who scored to recover a lead the green, white and blacks were not to relinquish.

Building upon territorial advantage, outside-half Gethin Davies found touch and with solid lineout ball cortesy of Cellan Skyrme, young no.8 Lloyd Powell was unstoppable as he powered over for Gwernyfed’s third try. Half time saw Jack Williams’s side with a 17-9 lead.

The second half was much the same, Powell having an outstanding game leading the forays and causing problems for the home side with powerful runs, inevitably notching his second from 25 yards out. Prys Eckley, who also had several good runs, was the catalyst for the next try, scrum half Tom Griffiths finding close support from Sam Clegg who made good yards. Winger Will Lloyd was on Clegg’s shoulder for the fifth try.

Bedwellty enjoyed had a spirited last quarter and eventually, after pressuring the Gwernyfed defence, scored a couple of consolation forward-driven tries. However, it was left to outside half Gethin Davies to brush aside several tackles to score his customary try from distance to bring the scoring to the close.

Unbeaten this season in all matches, Gwernyfed’s first fifteen travel to fellow unbeaten side RTB Ebbw Vale next Saturday with the second fifteen at home to Newport Expendables. With plenty of competition for places, confidence is high at Trefecca Road as the green. white and blacks enter the third month of the season.

GWERNYFED OVERCOME STUBBORN VISITORS

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 10:03:21 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 31 LLANHILLETH 12

Sam Stephens’s side recorded another five-point win in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd. However, the visitors from the Ebbw Valley, while not able to make much headway against stern midfield defence, tackled manfully and it was only in the last quarter that the green, white and blacks put the result beyond doubt.

The game went Gwernyfed’s way from the start. Skipper Stephens fielded the kick-off, Gethin Davies clearing to half-way. A squint throw gave Gwernyfed a scrum, centre Jack Williams broke a tackle and made thirty metres, the resultant ruck releasing powerhouse Lloyd Powell down the left. A high tackle stopped progress but once Davies had prodded the penalty within five metres of the flag, Cellan Skyrme found his man and then joined the maul to open the scoring, Davies converting from out wide.

The next thirty minutes was a game of defensive success. Llanhilleth held on to their own ball well, albeit making minimal progress thanks to some great tackling by the likes of Will Eckley and Tom Lloyd. If Gwernyfed were unerring in defence, so were the visitors and though a couple of chances were squandered, with half time approaching there was only one score on the board.

With the clock running down, a scrum thirty metres out provided a platform. Centre Dylan Skyrme and fly half Gethin Davies switched positions. Tom Griffiths found his man and the deadly duo caused havoc in the defence. Full back Zack Snape came in as link man` to release Calum Fergusson whose instinct for the try line is unerring. Once again, Llanhilleth scrambled but, while bringing the winger down postponed the five points, Tom Griffiths was on hand to pop the ball up to Lloyd Powell, the Hay man unstoppable from five metres.

The third quarter also had the defences on top and though Gwernyfed enjoyed a distinct territorial advantage, it was the visitors who scored next with a nice move out wide finding the defensive line, two weakened by two yellow card absences, a little too narrow. That score was soon cancelled out when, after substantial pressure in the visitors’ five metre area, flanker Will Eckley got the touch down for the third try.

As the game progressed it was clear that the visiting defence was tiring, a fact rudely exploited by replacement Tyler Morris and irrepressible Gethin Davies. It was the latter who taunted the defence with a fifty-metre break which should have yielded the green, white and blacks’ fourth try, the brilliant run frustrated by a dropped pass. However, the bonus point wasn’t long in coming. When Sam Stephens grabbed a loose ball inside his own half it was Davies again on hand to collect the pass, the youngster galloping in from fifty metres, this time finishing the task personally.

There was time for a further sortie, the forwards returning the kick off with interest and pressing the Llanhilleth defence which remained strong until the ball was spread, outside centre Jack Williams applying the coup de grace by sidestepping two cover tacklers to touch down, allowing Tyler Morris a simple conversion to close proceedings.

FIRST ROUND WIN FOR GWERNYFED

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 08:41:30 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 43 LLANDAFF NORTH 14

Gwernyfed handed old friends and rivals, Llandaff North, a sound beating in the first round of the WRU Cup. The Cardiff outfit returned down the A470 after a six try defeat master-minded by coaches Thomas, Phillips, Dodd and Lewis and delivered in some style by Sam Stephens and his side.

The green, white and blacks couldn’t have asked for a better start. After the inevitable attempt by the visitors to assert control, within two minutes, Kyle Davies won the ball at the breakdown and delivered to number nine Tomi Griffiths. Once the ball reached fly half Gethin Davies - moving to ten as a result of injury, the Hay youngster showed Llandaff North what they were in for, breaking tackles and finding gaps. When desperate defence halted Davies after a 30 metre sortie, his strength allowed him to offload to Lloyd Powell who was following up as all good wing forwards do. It takes something to stop Powell and no one was strong enough to prevent the try this time.

Gethin Davies extended the lead after twenty minutes. His presence attracts defensive attention, but it was notable that centres Jack Williams and Dylan Skyrme regularly made incursions that allowed Davies his own space to touch down under the posts, allowing himself an easy conversion.

While the result was never in doubt, Llandaff North offered a real challenge up front, battering the Gwernyfed eight at the breakdown when opportunity allowed. Locks Tom Lloyd and Andrew Norris were always prominent in defence as was the case with impressive prop Prys Eckley. However, a series of penalties, the referee critical of Gwernyfed camping on the offside line, gave the visitors the momentum upon which they capitalised, scoring a seven pointer just before the break.

Turning round, Llandaff North continued to drive into the defence and succeeded in reducing the lead by another seven points within five minutes of the re-start. Stephens shook up his men, the green, white and blacks revved up and went on a thirty minutes spree, starting with another Lloyd Powell try, built upon a rapid move down the left involving full back Zac Snape and winger Calum Ferguson. Sam Stephens acted as link man, then finding Powell who was again unstoppable from twenty-five metres out.

Speed and precision were the watchwords for the remainder of the game. The home pack regularly set up good ball - not least from the restarts where Tom Lloyd regularly made twenty metres, allowing his backs a platform. Attacks originated from every part of the pitch, Dylan Skyrme always prominent, getting the next touch down, dancing through a bemused defence from thirty metres.

The fifth try was a beauty. It came from the home 22, Snape, Jack Williams and Ferguson moving and passing at pace. If the build up was good, the final phase was brilliant. Williams was stopped but turned in the tackle to thud the ball into the solar plexus of Gethin Davies running at speed and powering through a despairing defence from thirty metres out.

The visitors never gave up and threw the ball around in the hope of getting a consolation score. As well as being swift in attack the Gwernyfed three-quarter line is aggressive in defence and forced an error. Dylan Skyrme was quickest to react, collecting the dropped ball and outstripping the defence from inside his own half. Snape added his fourth conversion to bring a very enjoyable game to a very satisfactory end.

Gwernyfed return to league action next week, entertaining Bedwellty with both sides unbeaten to date. It is Vice Presidents’ day at The Brian Jones Memorial Field which should swell increasing crowds attracted by some exciting rugby from Stephens’s side.

ATHLETIC ENJOY THEIR DAY IN THE SUN

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 13:29:38 GMT

DRAGONS ATHLETIC LEAGUE

GWERNYFED ATHLETIC 34 NELSON NOMADS 24

With the senior fifteen sidelined when opponents Crumlin cried off at the last minute, it was left to Jamie Coles’s Athletic side to entertain a healthy crowd at The Brian Jones Memorial Field. The young side enjoyed being in the spotlight, responding with six tries, five points and some exhilarating rugby.

It didn’t start well. Nelson enjoyed a flying start, opening up a seven-point lead within two minutes of the start. However, while the Taff Valley side were an ever-present threat courtesy of threequarters of some stature, the green, white and blacks were quicker of foot and of thought and when effervescent hooker Danny Lewis touched down to allow Gareth Dodd to put the equalising conversion, the result was never in doubt.

Nelson manned the barricades throughout the second quarter and it took a driving maul to split the defence, Lewis again aware of events, separating from the back of the maul to outsmart the defence, Dodd adding the afters. In a rare excursion upfield the dogged visitors landed a penalty and then scored a try after a series of skirmishes near to the line, meaning that at half-time, much against the run of play, Nelson led by three points.

The lead was rapidly overhauled from the restart, rumbustious number eight Rhys Pryce causing havoc in the defence, his progress being halted only releasing the back line with Jack ‘Sol’ Williams taking the honours.

Coach Alun Phillips put on new legs and it was replacement Mark Gwynne whose strength took him over to secure the four try bonus. The visitors were tiring in the face of a fit green, white and black outfit with a strong bench and when another Rhys Price drive allowed Jack Williams space on the right, he timed the final pass to perfection, livewire winger Matty Price doing the rest.

The sixth try was a real team effort, Dodd directing the traffic that involved the ball passing through several pairs of hands before Johnny Rees plunged over out wide. Nelson never gave up and scored last minute consolation try, but the honours and the points went the way of outstanding skipper Jamie Coles and a young side with a number of players promoting their case for a First XV place.

The Athletic travel to Hereford RFC for a friendly on Friday evening before the senior XV welcome Llandaff North to Trefecca Road in the WRU Cup on Saturday next.

12 TRY ROMP FOR GWERNYFED

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 07:23:16 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 77 PONTLLANFRAITH 17

Possibly the most satisfying fact emerging from a twelve try win by the Talgarth men is that the performance left room for improvement. A few errors, not least at the line-out, in the first quarter, suggested that what was a torrid afternoon for the visitors from the Sirhowy Valley could have been worse. What a pleasant problem for the Gwernyfed coaching team and skipper Sam Stephens!

The initial signs were good. From the kick off the green, white and blacks denied the visitors a touch for the first two minutes. When half backs Tom Griffiths and Tyler Morris released the three quarters Gethin Davies put left wing Tom Morgan away. The Llandefalle man, always cool, used speed and guile to evade the cover defence, running in from thirty metres.

The score didn’t appear to open the floodgates as the visitors took advantage of infringements and errors to take the lead on ten minutes with a converted try. Morris recovered the home advantage with a penalty, but as the twenty-minute mark loomed there was nothing to suggest the subsequent onslaught. It was to change.

Scrum half Tom Griffiths showed the way. Having shepherded a maul up the left wing the West Walian took matters into his own hands, leaving the defence flat-footed to run in from twenty-five metres, allowing Morris a simple conversion.

From the restart massively influential centre Gethin Davies secured the ball on his own 22 metre line, burst through several defenders and timed his pass to Dylan Skyrme to perfection. Following in the footsteps of Skyrmes before him, though perhaps rather more swiftly as dad Geraint, grandfather Tony and uncles Brian and Kevin will admit, Dylan ran in from the halfway line untroubled by defenders,

Within two minutes the Davies/Skyrme axis worked again with what was almost a carbon copy of the third try. Securing the bonus point did not prompt the green, white and blacks to rest on their laurels, impressive number 8 Lloyd Powell breaking the line 30 metres out and out-pacing the defence. Gethin Davies converted and the home side turned round with a 34-7 advantage.

The second period was a procession. Centres Davies and Skyrme led the orchestra and it was the latter who fed Andrew ‘Chuck’ Norris to allow the forwards a sight of the try line. Norris did not falter. Davies converted from wide out.

Replacement hooker Kelly Davies enjoyed a really good spell and got his name on the board when skipper Stephens supplied the perfect final pass. Next to trouble the defence was Calum Ferguson, another speedster eager for work, scoring down the left to breach the 50 point barrier.

Tom Morgan scored another, though the flow of tries was interrupted by a brace of scores from the valiant Pontllanfraith men who, while unable to cope with the pace of the Gwernyfed backs, never gave up. Their efforts were cancelled out by tries ten, eleven and twelve from full back Zac Snape, the hat-trick from Skyrme and then Ferguson once again.

A big crowd enjoyed some marvellous tries and an eviscerating victory that takes the green, white and blacks to the top of the table. However, coaches Thomas, Phillips, Lewis and Dodd know that tougher challenges await, not least next weekend’s trip to Crumlin.

DERBY FUN IN THE SUN

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 07:22:38 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

CRICKHOWELL 31 GWERNYFED 36

The first game of the new season, a local derby, lovely weather and a big crowd. The afternoon deserved a memorable game and the two Breconshire sides certainly didn’t disappoint, delivering an eight try thriller with the bragging rights going Gwernyfed’s way.

A lively opening had Crickhowell on the front foot, opening the scoring with a Ieuan Werrett penalty after three minutes. However, the green, white and blacks showed their intent with a series of charges into the home side’s territory, Lloyd Powell, Jordan Curran and Tom Lloyd all going close. Lethal weapon Gethin Davies lingered behind successive rucks and when Luke Eckley found him, the Hay man was too strong for the defence, plunging over to allow Tyler Morris to convert to secure the lead.

The hosts wasted no time in re-gaining the initiative, skipper Lewis Logan prominent in every move, his example being followed by locks Langley and Collacott to good effect. The visitors’ defence was resolute, Sam Stephens prominent as always, but pressure told in the end and when the ball went wide, Dafyd James secured the five points.

Morris and Werrett exchanged penalties, leaving the Parc Broyd men a point ahead. However, when Morris took the restart he spotted an opportunity, kicking away from the forwards to the blind side where wing Tom Morgan reacted more quickly than the covering defence, hacking on and winning the foot race to touch down.

The Talgarth side were beginning to get on top and their cause was helped materially on the half hour when indiscipline saw home side prop Gavin Norman take an early bath. Gwernyfed capitalised when Cellan Skyrme, having found his man at a five-metre line-out, joined the maul and helped the visiting eight go over, Skyrme applying the final touch. Morris converted and while there was time for another close call, thwarted only when the green, white and blacks fumbled in front of the posts, Gwernyfed turned around eleven points ahead.

Crickhowell overcame the handicap of playing with fourteen men in the second period and probably had the better of the later exchanges. Their task was assisted when Werrett took three points after the Gwernyfed defence strayed offside.

Analysis suggests that the decisive factor in this game was that Gwernyfed took their chances. That was certainly the case when replacement scrum half Tom Griffiths fed Morris, the ball passing through the hands of centres Dylan Skyrme and Gethin Davies before Calum Ferguson finished a fine move with aplomb. Once again, Morris converted from a wide angle.

A fifteen point lead was reduced by three from Werrett and when the hosts returned to the attack to be met by impenetrable defence, a clever crossfield kick was well fielded by Ieuan Evans who had no difficulty crossing over. Werrett mirrored his opposite number’s success with a conversion from wide out.

Once again, Gwernyfed struck from the restart. Crickhowell cleared the kick off back to replacement Kyle Davies who, by force and guile, evaded several tackles, eventually setting up a ruck deep in the defence 22 metre area. Crickhowell’s tackling was fierce but, smelling another score, the visiting eight propelled Lloyd Powell over. Inevitably Morris converted and with a twelve-point lead and ten minutes to go the game looked secure. Logan’s men didn’t see it like that and summoned up reserves of energy to mount a series of attacks that ended with a fine try by flanker Keanu Morris. Werrett added the two points but the score was too late to affect the outcome and when excellent referee Alex Yau blew the final whistle it was Gwernyfed who celebrated, Crickhowell having the scant consolation of a losing bonus point to show for the their efforts.

This game was a great advertisement for the community game. It was notable that eleven of the Gwernyfed side followed in the footsteps of their fathers in representing the green, white and blacks. They were eleven of forty players on both sides who gave of their all supported by a big crowd enjoying the effort and skill on show On the evidence of this game both sides can look forward to a good season, Gwernyfed starting the home campaign next week when Pontllanfraith visit Talgarth while Crickhowell journey to RTB Ebbw Vale.

GWERNYFED COMPLETE SEASON WITH BIG WIN

Mon, 13 May 2024 07:30:34 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

BLACKWOOD STARS 12 GWERNYFED 71

The green, white and blacks brought the season to a close with an eleven try romp, bringing a full-stop to a campaign that brought the Talgarth side within a couple of points of promotion. More importantly, the game crowned a great season with performances that encouraged big crowds, hone and away, confident that the future looks really bright, based upon a phalanx of young players who have come up through the Gwernyfed mini, junior, youth pipeline.

The result was never in doubt. Within two minutes Cellan Skyrme scored one of his trademark tries, completing a rolling maul in the left hand corner, the try was converted by Gethin Davies from the touchline, one of six such successful efforts that the Hay man delivered in the first half.

Calum Fergusson took a Tom Griffiths pass from the ruck at speed and was unstoppable to double the lead. However, the ‘Stars’ are not a side to let heads drop and they struck back when their active number eight ploughed over.

Treis came with clockwork-style regularity – and with some style as the speed of the Gwernyfed backs, the youngsters orchestrated by yet another display of style and substance from player coach Gareth Dodd. Great hands with the ball moving at speed was all too much for Blackwood and Fergusson, Tom Griffiths and Gethin Davies all took the plaudits with tries, while much was owed to the whole back line and the ever-present back row of Lloyd Powell, Kyle Davies and inspirational skipper Sam Stephens.

The final activity of the half provided a second bookend when Cellan Skyrme took the ball in the open on the left and completed a much-appreciated trip to the line, combining size and swift feet to touch down next to the corner flag. Gethin Davies put the ball through the posts for his sixth conversion, completing a perfect set and opening up a 5-42 half-time lead.

The second period was a carnival of extravagant movement, the green, white and blacks unfettered by promotion pressures showing just what this side is capable of. Right wing Ieuan Thomas was the main beneficiary, the Talgarth man playing his first season of rugby showing his strength and speed when scoring a hat-trick, each try involving a run from outside the 22 that the defence couldn’t stop.

The Stars demonstrated great spirit throughout and were rewarded with a converted try, but Calum Fergusson completed his hat-trick and popular replacement hooker Mark Gwynne also touched down to bring the rugby festival, one appreciated by the healthy travelling support, to a close.

The success of the season at both First and Athletic XV level is owed to so many factors. However, it would be remiss not to highlight the massive contribution and commitment of the coaching team, Gareth Dodd, Richard East, Tomi Lewis and Lee Thomas and physio Dani Clarke. All bodes well for the 2024-25 season at the Old Malthouse.

JUST NOT ENOUGH

Tue, 07 May 2024 09:01:04 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

NEW PANTEG 30 GWERNYFED 25

Gwernyfed needed to win this game to maintain their promotion bid, though the Pontypool hosts were in the same position with a lot at stake. A large contingent travelled down from Talgarth to match the equally vociferous home support and the stage was set for what turned out to be a tremendous game of rugby.

New Panteg’s game is built around a large and experienced pack, well supported by a pair of equally experienced half-backs. Gwernyfed’s pack, smaller in stature but making up for that in ability, took the hosts on and were well supported by an impressive young back line that caused problems every time the ball went wide.

Early exchanges saw both sides make incursions, though as the first quarter drew to a close the only scores on the board were two penalties, New Panteg cancelling out an early Zack Snape three-pointer. The deadlock was broken when Gwernyfed used a ball from the base of the scrum ten metres out, both Lloyd Powell and Sam Stephens going close. The defence was finally penetrated when Tom Griffiths used quick ruck ball to release Gethin Davies whose drive to the line was irresistible. Snape added the two points.

New Panteg, stung by the score, tore into attack and quickly brought the scores level with a series of drives down the left which culminated in the home team’s scrum half touching down wide out, notwithstanding which the conversion sailed over bringing the scores level.

Worse was to come when an innocuous punt forward into Gwernyfed’s 22 was rewarded by some miscommunication, The ever-ready hosts pounced upon the loose ball and, while being stopped short, took advantage of a five-metre scrum to put the number 8 under the posts. Snape and his opposite number both landed penalties before the break, but Gwernyfed turned round 20-13 down.

The deficit was soon erased. A line break involving Gethin Davies and Calum Fergusson took play deep into New Panteg territory within a minute of the restart. From the breakdown Sam Clegg and Lloyd Powell made good yards leaving the ball for Cellan Skyrme who powered over under the posts, the conversion by Snape taking the game back to level pegging.

On the hour New Panteg opened up a three-point lead from a penalty, but otherwise the momentum was with Gwernyfed. Whenever the backs were released panic in the home defence ensued. Tom Morgan and Will Lloyd built upon the sterling work of Gethin Davies and Cal Fergusson. When moves were brought to an end, skipper Sam Stephens, ably supported by Sam Clegg, Craig Parry and Prys Eckley, took the game further into home territory.

For fifteen minutes Gwernyfed pounded the home line using sword and rapier. New Panteg also shoed their metal with some great defence. The siege was occasionally relieved with a long kick and from one of these, as Gwernyfed looked to run play back into the opposition half, the ball went to ground, was hacked through by the home side’s left-winger and followed up for a match-winning try with only two minutes left on the clock.

Gwernyfed threw everything into the final seconds and Cellan Skyrme went over for a consolation try that brought a losing bonus point, but not the win that may have seen the green, white and blacks promoted.

This was a great game for which both sides and their coaching teams deserve huge credit. If anything the difference between the two teams was found in experience, New Panteg fielding a side of some maturity, Gwernyfed’s progress built very much upon a young team playing some exciting rugby. Their season comes to an end at Blackwood Stars next Saturday when the travelling support will no doubt rally to applaud the lads for what has been a great season of green, white and black rugby played in the true spirit of the community game.

THE TRY COUNT IS TEN

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 08:00:34 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 58 WHITEHEADS 0

Saturday saw Gwernyfed welcome Whiteheads RFC from Newport to Trefecca Road in a Division 4 East league fixture enjoyed by a sizeable and enthusiastic crowd.

While the final score of 58-0 for the home side suggests a comfortable victory, this did not reflect much of the game, with Whiteheads competing strongly until the break, despite conceding four tries.

For the second successive game Tom Morgan opened the scoring from the wing. The Llandefalle man’s opener was built upon from a rolling maul from which Cellan Skyrme was the beneficiary with the touch down.

The Gwernyfed centre partnership of Gethin Davies and Jack Williams is causing consternation in opposition defences, the pair offering a blend of strength, speed and timing. Whitehead weren’t able to resist the combination and both men touched down before the break, Davies with an interception, Williams courtesy of a sublime inside pass from his midfield partner to secure the four-try bonus point.

In the second half, the well organised home eight gained dominance, providing a stream of possession for their backs, with Gwernyfed’s midfield pairing continuing to torment their opposite numbers. This allowed the support running of the rest of the backs, most notably Tom Morgan and Callum Ferguson, to reap rewards with six tries in the second period.

Cellan Skyrme scored his second from short range but then expansive rugby was the order of the day. Calum Fergusson from full back is a live wire and he seized the moment by recording a hat trick or tries in short order, Jack Williams touched down for his second and then powerful replacement Lloyd Powell took advantage of a tiring defence to make it a perfect ten.

The result sent the crowd to the bar in good spirits and also helped the green, white and blacks in their late promotion push. Next Saturday, all roads lead to New Panteg as the Talgarth men play their rivals for second place in the League, a win and probable promotion the prize.

GWERNYFED GIRLS PLAY FOR WALES

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 07:55:16 GMT

WRU Ladies Championship

GWERNYFED 10 YNYSDDU 24

GRFC Ladies' last home game of the season against a strong side from Ynysddu was also an opportunity to welcome some of the season's sponsors and receive Wales playing shirts from recently capped Wales u18s Shanelle Williams and Tilly Vucaj.

The game was held up due a nasty ankle injury to one of the Ynysddu players and special thanks go to those with medical backgrounds on the touchline for the calm, effective way they dealt with the incident, before the player was driven to A&E.

In the clubhouse after the game, under 18 players Shanelle Williams and Tilly Vucaj who both played for Wales in the recent Six Nations games and started their rugby with Gwernyfed RFC, presented their playing shirts to the Club.

Receiving the shirts on behalf of the club GRFC directors Ceri Morgan and Bronnie Jones, having witnessed both girls coming through the age groups at Gwernyfed and the early days of the Red Kites female hub spoke emotionally about how pleased and proud they are of the girls, their commitment and their achievements.

‘We are sure Shanelle and Tilly will continue to succeed at the highest level of rugby and everyone at the club wishes them well,’ said Morgan. ‘ It is also exciting to see the talent that exists currently at Red Kites, within the u14s age group in particular, and for them to see Shanelle and Tilly back at their home club is inspiring them to also go on to achieve great things’.

The Red Kites hub at Gwernyfed has strong numbers in most of the age groups from under 8s through to u16s and recently a satellite to the hub has been established in Builth Wells. It is pleasing that a number of girls have come through the age groups and now play for the Gwernyfed Ladies XV who play at championship level.

BATTLE AGAINST THE GIANTS

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 07:53:35 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

NEWPORT SARACENS 27 GWERNYFED 24

Gwernyfed travelled to league leaders Newport Saracens. The hosts were odds-on for promotion and freshly-crowned as Wales Division 4 Champions after victory at The Principality Stadium last weekend. The home side fielded a team of experienced giants and expected an easy afternoon – a great game that spoke volumes for the commitment of players representing their Club’s badge without thought of monetary recompense ensued.

The game started badly for the visitors from Talgarth. A long clearance was gathered by the hosts’ fly half, a danger throughout, who, when faced with the advancing defence, chipped over, gathered what was a lucky bounce and released his speedy winger for a first minute try, converted with aplomb

It looked to be a long afternoon for the healthy contingent travelling southward to support the Green, White and Blacks. However, there is a real metal in the Talgarth side these days and they looked to use speed and width to outwit the mighty men of the Saracens. Half backs Luke Eckley and evergreen Gareth Dodd released their three quarters early and after Tom Morgan failed to get his fingertips to an ambitious pass when the line beckoned, impressive centre Gethin Davies timed his pass to perfection to put Morgan clear, the Llandefalle man needing no further invitation.

Attack caused panic in the Saracens ranks all afternoon and within minutes of the first score Craig Parry added a second try. Locks Lloyd Powell and Scott Rees consistently punched holes in the defensive line, the onslaught stopped only by transgression that allowed Dodd to push the resultant penalty into the corner. Rees plucked the ball out of the air from an unerring throw by Cellan Skyrme and the pack did the rest with Parry getting the final touch to establish a three-point lead.

The home side were stung, reacting by launching a campaign of sound and fury on Gwernyfed’ s try line. They met with the stiffest resistance from a resilient defensive line where Prys Eckley, Sam Clegg and ‘Chuck’ Norris were prominent in chopping down giants. The siege was relieved after ten minutes. However, ironically after failing with the bludgeon, Saracens moved the ball and scored out wide on the left to regain the lead as the half-time whistle beckoned.

On the restart, fifteen minutes of attack by the home side culminated in a third try at which point the vociferous home support celebrated what looked to be an unassailable lead. Gwernyfed saw it differently and some great tackling by Gethin Davies and Tom Morgan as the hosts tried to come out of defence, together with some impressive kicking out of hand by Davies, created opportunity. Lloyd Powell, Prys Eckley and Aston Barrell punctured the defence once again, their unstinting effort rewarded when scrum half Luke Eckley spotted a defensive misalignment and nipped in to score. Dodd converted to level the scores and silence the crowd.

Saracens showed just why they have dominated the league by bombarding the line repeatedly, heroic defence with left wing Cori Phillips regularly bringing down an opposite number almost twice the Bronllys man’s stature a particular feature. Once again, when Saracens concluded that head down charges produced no dividends, the rapier was deployed with their top class fly-half taking responsibility, going over under the posts to establish a seven point lead. That lead was extended by a penalty from the same player when Gwernyfed strayed offside and that looked to be it – Gwernyfed saw things differently.

With five minutes to go another offensive saw the green, white and blacks camp in the opposition twenty-two and once again cause panic in the mighty defenders. Close calls came and went as Lloyd Powell and Chuck Norris came close but their efforts were backed up by Prys Eckley who capped an excellent performance by bulldozing through under the posts, Dodd adding the two points.

Any objective analysis of the game would conclude that Saracens earned the win by virtue of possession and territorial advantage. However, all present, including the opposition, agreed that Gwernyfed thoroughly deserved the two bonus points that this great performance in a superb game of rugby delivered.

At home Jamie Coles’s Athletic XV took on Tref y Clawdd in a hastily arranged fixture, both sides having been let down by their league opponents. It was a win for the Knighton side, but while Gwernyfed fielded a couple of vastly experienced heads in Messrs Roberts and Bateman, the presence of so many youngsters bodes well for future campaigns at The Brian Jones Memorial Field.

GWERNYFED GO SECOND!

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 08:26:19 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

CRUMLIN 17 GWERNYFED 20

Gwernyfed travelled to the Kayfield, Crumlin on a day made for rugby. Having played Crumlin at home less than a month ago, both players and coaches new they were in for another tough and physical encounter.

The away team started the match the brighter and livelier of the two sides. In the early goings they attacked the oppositions territory, playing with structure and discipline which continued to test the oppositions defence. Despite Gwernyfed winning the early possession and territory battle, it was Crumlin who score the opening try. The away team coughed up possession cheaply in the oppositions half and the home side went through multiple phases in attack. Despite the away sides valiant and continued efforts to keep the home side at bay they managed to create an overlap on the blindside to score the opening try in the corner.

Unphased by the opening score the men in green went back about their business with the forwards creating quick ball with dynamic carries from the like of Sam Stephens, Will Eckley and Prys Eckley. The increase in the tempo of the game resulted in Crumlin being offside in midfield and Zach Snape kicked the easy 3 points in front of the posts to reduce the home side’s lead to two points.

Just before the interval, substitute Gethin Davies, on for his senior debut in the green, black, and white shirt, made a powerful break in midfield splitting the opposing centres. He continued to carry the ball towards the try line and with the fullback oncoming, dived towards the try line and grounded the ball just inside the corner flag,

The conversion was missed but Davies’s try gave the Talgarth men an 8-5 half-time lead.

In the second period Gwernyfed continued where they left off. The forwards continued to lay a strong platform with carries from Lloyd Powell, Scott Rees and Craig Parry generating quick ball for the backs to attack with. This platform gave the likes of Snape and Davies, whose presence was continuing to be a real thorn in the away team’s side, the opportunity to attack wider channels. A long pass from Snape found its way to full back Callum Ferguson who in heavy traffic danced towards the opposing line. As he was being tackled the youngster had the presence of mind to stretch forward and ground the ball on the whitewash.

Gwernyfed didn’t have it all their own way and Crumlin reduced the arrears with a try and

continued to apply pressure and sensed that a comeback was on the cards. The Crumlin outside half chipped the ball over the Gwernyfed defensive line into the hands of the Crumlin inside centre who was standing out wide (albeit offside) and grounded the ball just to the right of the oppositions up right to make create an easy conversion.

Gwernyfed hit back immediately. From the resulting kick off they pressurised the Crumlin forwards and forced a penalty at the ruck for holding on. Gwernyfed kicked to the corner, with the ball going out 10 metres from the try line, this presented a great opportunity for the pack to grab the game by the scruff of the neck. Gwernyfed caught the lineout, uncontested by the home side and this gave a great platform for the forwards to drive. With all 8 forwards working in unison, they marched towards the opposition line and Andrew ‘Chuck’ Norris grounded the ball over the line.

With 8 minutes of the game remaining and the result in the balance there was all to play for. From the ensuing kick-off Gwernyfed let the ball bounce and roll over their try line, it was grounded for a goal line dropout. From the dropout, Crumlin continued to apply pressure to the opposition’s defensive line. Gwernyfed’s defence, which had been outstanding all day, stood firm and second row Lloyd Powell made the turnover at the ruck, allowing Gwernyfed to clear their lines. Gwernyfed won a penalty at the next lineout and with 30 seconds remaining on the clock they chose to tap the penalty to eat the clock. Two phases later, substitute scrum half Luke Eckley kicked the ball to touch to give the men from Talgarth a hard fought, but well-deserved win.

Next week they travel away to the undefeated and newly crowned division 4 cup winners, Newport Saracens.

Meanwhile, Gwernyfed Athletic played a hastily arranged game at Llandrindod, following the home team’s League opposition, Whitchurch, declining to travel from the capital city to Mid Wales. Gwernyfed, however, failed to repeat its defeat of Llandrindod at Trefecca Road earlier in the season.

Throughout the first half, the home outside half used the strong wind behind his back to pin Gwernyfed in their 22 with some astute kicking. This allowed the experienced Llandrindod pack to dominate against their young opponents, with five tries leading to a half time score of 31-0. The second half, however, gave the advantage of the strong wind to the visitors, with the game becoming a more equal contest, as the Gwernyfed outside half copied his opposite number’s earlier kicking strategy. This allowed Gwernyfed to come more into the game, and a try apiece led to a final score of 36-7.

Despite the scoreline, this was a very valuable exercise for the visitors, allowing its contingent of young players an opportunity to gain experience of senior rugby as they seek to step up from Youth rugby.

TABLE-TOPPERS TOPPLED!

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 11:54:39 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 23 CRUMLIN 20

On a great day for rugby, a good crowd enjoyed a marvellous game of rugby played in the best of spirits. Crumlin arrived as league leaders and while the Ebbw Valley side scored first, the lead then changed four times with Gwernyfed’s third try ten minutes from the final whistle seeing the table-toppers return south with only a single losing bonus point.

It didn’t take long for Crumlin to illustrate why they are having a successful season. When forcing a defender into touch within Gwernyfed’s 22, the visitors were quicker of thought and deed, took the line out swiftly and touched down in the corner before five minutes had elapsed.

Zack Snape reduced the lead with a penalty, the visitors straying offside when faced with a series of drives led by skipper Sam Stephens, ably supported as always by Lewis Bowen, Craig Parry and Prys Eckley. However, the impetus swung to and fro, and as the first quarter ticked past, Crumlin added a try from close quarters, the conversion extending the visitors’ lead.

Play swung back to the other end and, with the green, white and blacks just having the better of the forward battle, half backs Luke Eckley and Snape released the backs from quick ruck ball. Both wingers, Johnny Rees and Matty Price, made headway and full back Will Lloyd caused consternation every time he came into the line. However, it was centres Jack Williams and Tom Morgan who were the real danger, Morgan celebrating his return from a lengthy period in Australia by breaking the line to touch down near the posts, Snape’s conversion a formality.

The vociferous home support expected Gwernyfed to take advantage of the slight slope at The Brian Jones Memorial Field in the second period. Events rewarded the crowd when Snape pushed the ball into touch deep in the visitors’ 22 from a penalty. The throw was plucked out of the air by joint man of the match Tom Lloyd and the rest was inevitable, Cellan Skyrme getting the final touch from the back of the maul.

Home support was quietened, though also impressed, by the delivery of a sweeping move that saw Crumlin put the ball through several hands in a move from forty metres out, one of their own superb centres getting the try to open up a two-point lead.

Snape restored the lead with a penalty but the compliment was returned when Gwernyfed were too eager in defence, the three points penalising the offside decision and putting the visitors back in front. With fifteen minutes to go Gwernyfed had it all to do.

A couple of successful burglaries applied to the Crumlin line-out by Sam Stephens put the home side very much on the front foot. When Crumlin tried to break out. James Holmes-Powell and Jack Williams, the second achieving joint man of the match status, in particular, were instrumental in turning the ball over with some superb ‘jacaling’.

The initiative was with the green, white and blacks. When Snape once again put his forwards on the five-metre line with the throw, history repeated itself with a Lloyd take initiating an unstoppable rolling maul, Cellan Skyrme touching down for his second.

Crumlin were great value throughout and threw everything at Gwernyfed for the last ten minutes. However, the defence was sound and action was largely outside the 22. Excellent referee Owen Stone, allowing the game to flow throughout and making his decisions crystal clear, policed the final frenzy calmly. When the final whistle went it was greeted by a huge roar from a crowd treated to the very best of community rugby.

Local rugby stands down next week as Wales take on Italy, after which Gwernyfed head south to visit Whiteheads. Coaches Dodd, East, Lewis and Thomas will be looking to build upon this win with the benefit of a few training runs before the trip to Newport.

ECKLEYS TO THE FORE!

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 21:28:35 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 43 HAFODYRYNYS 10

A good crowd watched Gwernyfed deliver an impressive performance, completing the double over the visitors from Gwent with a six try romp. With four tries from the Eckley brothers from Glasbury and another sterling performance from prop Prys Eckley, there was inevitably only one name on the lips of those celebrating in the bar after the game.

In fact, notwithstanding the eventual outcome, Hafodyrynys took the lead in the first minute when over-enthusiastic defensive alignment conceded a three-pointer from in front of the posts. From that point onward there was only one winner. The lead was recovered when number 8 Will Eckley pounced on a loose ball emerging from a defensive scrum to touch down, allowing evergreen fly half Gareth Dodd a simple two-pointer.

It was Eckley again who got the ball down after some good work by Ashton Barrell, Prys Eckley and Craig Parry in the depth of the maul, Scott Rees and Lloyd Powell helping by adding momentum to the drive.

As always, flankers Lewis Bowen and Sam Stephens tackled incessantly and it was their determination to win the confrontation that allowed the backs the space to move the ball along the line. Lloyd Rees and Harry Saunders-Jones were prominent, releasing live wire winger Matty Price who got over the line from twenty metres out in spite of the attention of a rake of defenders.

The visitors never gave up and when, in trying to run out of defence Gwernyfed spilled the ball, Hafodyrynys took advantage by hacking through and winning the footrace to touch down under the posts. The ensuing melee saw Gareth Dodd receive a yellow card which is something of a collector’s item for a player who has performed magnificently in local rugby for over two decades and always been a player of care and integrity. The temporary absence of the veteran saw top class full back Calum Ferguson take over the kicking duties, potting two penalties by half time to open up a 26-10 lead.

The second period saw Price in action within minutes of the re-start, seizing a ball that should have been collected by the visitors backs and setting off at pace down the left wing. Caught metres short, a composed Price saw Luke Eckley following up, as good scrum halves do, Eckley showing his brother that whatever his bother could do, he could do as well, touching down under the posts.

Older sibling Will returned the compliment when completing another of Gwernyfed’s trademark roiling maul moves, mom Lisa pronouncing that it would be extra roast spuds for the boys on Sunday to celebrate the Eckley try feast!

Coach Richard East threw all of this subs on and their drive and energy was the final nail in the coffin for the valiant visitors, Johnny Rees going close before James Holmes-Powell completed an impressive interception to release Sam Clegg who drove over with three defenders on his back, Dodd completing a successful afternoon with the conversion.

International activity allows some of the injured players not currently available time for recovery before Gwernyfed resume league activity with a visit to Blackwood Stars on 2 March.

DISAPPOINTMENT FOR 1ST XV

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 09:20:08 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

ST JULIANS 18 GWERNYFED 15

Gwernyfed travelled to Newport for an early International Day kick off and were hampered by a large penalty count throughout the game which saw them narrowly defeated.

The visitors took the lead when a powerful burst by Prop Prys Eckley saw young flanker Lloyd Powell in support to touch down.

Gwernyfed normal smooth lineout was combated by the home team who disrupted well and with a solid scrum performed better than their lowly position in the league suggested.

On twenty minutes good field position saw skipper Craig Parry benefit from a driving lineout the try well converted on the touchline by Gareth Dodds to open up a 12-0 lead.

The next twenty minutes saw the home side dominate as the visitors were penalised heavily mainly due to high tackles allowing their outside half to slot a penalty and their experienced scrum half took a quick tap penalty to score wide out. Score half time 8-12.

The second half saw the home nine score his second try to take the lead Dodds replied with a penalty. Gwernyfed having plenty of possession could not break through a solid and disciplined defence line and again with a large penalty count against leading to three yellow cards were frustrated as the game became very stop start. A crash ball try by the home centre saw the lead retaken.

Will Eckley forced his way over the line only to be held up and with the last play of the game Fullback Will Lloyd broke several tackles to set up their best attack of the afternoon Gwernyfed were kept out in the corner by the solid home defence to hold on for a deserved win.

With a home game next week hopefully the Greens can work on certain technical areas in training and return to their normal pattern of play to entertain an anticipated large crowd on club Sponsor Day at the Brian Jones Memorial Field.

ATHLETIC COMFORTABLE WINNERS

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:46:48 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED ATHLETIC 44 NHSOB EXPENDABLES 21

Gwernyfed Athletic welcomed Newport High School Old Boys’s second team, known as the NHSOB Expendables, to a Dragons League Fixture at Trefecca Road on Saturday, with the home team chalking up a 44-21 win. To the credit of the visitors, they arrived with only 13 players to fulfil the fixture, rather than cancelling the game, with Gwernyfed loaning them a couple of players from their 23 man squad.

The first half hour saw a keenly contested match between the experienced visitors and Gwernyfed’s more youthful contingent, the visitors taking an early lead with a converted try. However, with the Expendables struggling to deal with the Gwernyfed packs’s well organised driving maul, half time was reached with a score of 20 points to seven, following four unconverted Gwernyfed tries providing a bonus point. Number eight Lloyd Powell, returning from a long period of injury, was, in particular, proving a handful for the visitors with his rampaging runs.

Three further Gwernyfed tries were scored in the second half, as the home team took firm control of the game, although the visitors rallied a couple of times to score two of their own, including notching up the try of the game. However, as team managers Andrew Torrance and Gethin Evans rang the changes to ensure all squad members had plenty of game time, the Athletic ran out comfortable winners.

SKYRME HAT-TRICK SECURES WIN

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 08:42:18 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

BEDWELLTY 14 GWERNYFED 26

Gwernyfed bounced back from last week's last minute cup defeat with a well earned bonus point victory against Bedwellty.

The home side soon showed their intentions - using their strong forwards to try to punch holes in the Gwernyfed defence but as usual the fringe defence led by back rowers Sam Stephens, Lewis Bowen and Will Eckley were not taking any backward steps as the gain line was rarely crossed. Backed up by the hard working second rowers Thomas Lloyd and Andrew Norris the tackle area work rate success again was a definitive point in the afternoons play.

Gwernyfed were first on the scoresheet as the home backs chose to spread the ball wide, centre Jack Williams pressurised the midfield and upon picking up the loose ball, found winger Ieuan Thomas who outsprinted the covering defence to touch down in the corner. Gareth Dodds converting from the touchline.

A finely worked move in the centre saw Williams again heavily involved in the next try as he cut a fine inside line to brush a couple of tacklers off, desperate home defence saw him tackled metres short, however excellent scrum half Luke Eckley timed his pass to perfection as Prop Cellan Skyrme was unstoppable with a powerful direct run to touch down under the posts for a converted try.

The home side were immediately put back in the corner with a large trade mark Dodds's touchfinder, With Skyrme finding his man in the lineout touching down as the Gwernyfed eight rumbled their heavier opponents over the line, Dodds again converting to take the score to 21-0.

Bedwellty to their credit settled and with their elusive backs and desire to run the ball at every opportunity were a constant threat and some fine running saw their winger score a converted try 21-7 halftime.

The second half was a much more even affair, Gwernyfed again were first on the scoresheet as after several well orchestrated lineouts, eventually after desperate defence by the home side Cellan Skyrme touched down to record his well deserved hat trick on the hour

The last quarter saw the home eight dominate territory as they pounded the Gwernyfed line again and again with front rowers Prys Eckley and Craig Parry again putting big shifts as the Gwernyfed eight and the whole side put in a massive defensive performance only allowing in one further score to take the final score to 14-26 to the Greens.

Another great and confident performance saw Gwernyfed climb another place in the table as did the Athletic as news filtered through of a fine 44-19 win at Trefecca Road. Two full squads will enjoy their rests as The Six Nations starts and will be eagerly awaiting the resuming of league Rugby in a couple of weeks time.

LAST GASP AGONY FOR GWERNYFED

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 08:44:02 GMT

NEW PANTEG 20 GWERNYFED 17

Gwernyfed visited unbeaten New Panteg in the cup and played a massive role in a pulsating match only decided by the last play of the game.

The visitors had been the only side to take points off the table toppers all season with a 25 all draw at home in the season opener in September and were the first on the scoresheet when outstanding number eight Kyle Davies powered over for fullback Scott Pritchard to convert.

The home side were very solid in all departments, winning good lineout ball and possessing a strong scrum which was equally matched by the visitors. Cellan Skyrme found his men Andrew Norris and Sam Stephens with ease all afternoon and good handling was also a feature of both sides in a very physical game in which defences were also rock solid.

On twenty minutes, the Gwernyfed line was finally breached as right winger Bury touched down wide out for a well converted try. An exchange of penalties saw the half time score tied at 10 all.

The large crowd, including WRU President Terry Cobner, was bolstered by so many other local matches being off and were treated to a great game in the second half, a half where the neutral would say was dominated by the visitors.

On a rare visit New Panteg took the lead as speedy left winger Gomez touched down. Gwernyfed finding themselves down battled back evergreen outside half Gareth Dodd's outstanding marshalling his backs - making breaks and kicking to touch for huge gains. The home defence desperately defended the line as props Cellan Skyrme and Prys Eckley made powerful yards. Prys, a new signing, is proving to be a real asset to the Greens and following in the footsteps of a great club servant father Stuart.

Dodds sparked a blind side move and slick handling by the backs put no.8 Davies over the line in the corner, however, the referee disallowing any try as the ball was deemed held up. Again it was all Gwernyfed and as injury time lengthened they battered the home defence and finally substitute Will Eckley taking a good line crashed over to tie the scores. A composed conversion saw the lead taken 17-15.

With a couple of minutes left a bit of quick thinking by the home flyhalf saw a quickly taken kick off regathered and linking well a try was almost scored before a penalty was awarded to New Panteg. The home eight opted for a scrum and were held out by Gwernyfed before the ball was finally whipped across the line for left winger Gomez to slide over under a pile of bodies. After consultation with the touch judge, the try was awarded, much to the delight of the home club but agony to the visitors the final score 20- 17 to New Panteg.

A massive effort by the Gwernyfed side, all 20 players who took the field - 5 injuries and walking wounded the result of a great physical battle. Both clubs should be very proud of those who wear their badge presently. For Gwernyfed, disappointment on the day, but a lot of positives going forward now in the league and with a large squad of 50 players at the moment in the senior set up will be very confident of success as the season progresses.

ATHLETIC VICTORY UNDER THE LIGHTS

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 12:02:17 GMT

GWERNYFED ATHLETIC 22 LLANIDLOES 12

Gwernyfed entertained Llanidloes in an entertaining Friday night fixture.

An early foray into Llanidloes territory saw centre Gareth Dodd chip for the corner and right winger Dewi Jones used his pace following up controlling the bouncing ball well to touch down wide out.

The visitors possessed an older and much heavier pack which the home eight having their work cut out, however, in the loose Gwernyfed's forwards revelled led by a powerful performance by No. 8 Charlie Parry who made good ground on many occasions.

Gareth Dodd was next on the score sheet, charging down his opposite number and winning the foot race to touch down under the posts. Half time score 12-0.

With the lineout working well, Jamie Coles secured good ball for scrum half Morgan Lewis who linked with Parry who again made good ground, he was well supported by second row Tom Millington and the young second row showed good pace to score the home side's third try.

Llanidloes, seventeen points down, rallied with two tries closing the gap to five points. Jamie Coles then made a great line break from his own half and almost made the line but good recycling saw live wire winger Matty Price evade several tackles to claim the final score in the corner.

A great crowd of over 100 supporters enjoyed the game and with 23 home players having good game time the next Friday night floodlit game is eagerly awaited. Final score 22-12.

CRICK TAKE THE SPOILS IN DERBY

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 11:55:06 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

CRICKHOWELL 25 GWERNYFED 20

On a glorious day at Parc Broyd, Crickhowell entertained local rivals Gwernyfed in the return derby match. A large crowd of supporters were entertained with the result closely contested right up until the final whistle.

The home side were seeking to turn around an earlier season defeat at the hands of Gwernyfed and with twenty minutes gone were trailing 12-0 as a driving lineout try by James Brute and another score by centre Will Powell after an awkward bounce of the ball fell Gwernyfed's way.

Galvanised into action and supported by a large home support, it was the home side who took the game to Gwernyfed and dominated the next quarter - pressing the corners with centre Tom Holly and prop James Yemm both touching down to take the half time score to 15 -12 to the visitors.

The second half saw Crickhowell with most of the territory as a penalty was converted to tie the scores. With Gwernyfed hampered by a yellow card and giving away a lot of penalties, they struggled to get a foot hold in the Crickhowell half. A couple of good runs by the home backs saw stand-out skipper Lewis Logan at number eight, break the Gwernyfed defence to plunge over under the posts. Another penalty for the home side saw them build a ten point lead at 25-15.

Gwernyfed however, finished much the stronger, and after several drives substitute Pete Eckley powered over with two minutes to go and from the kick off Gwernyfed pressed again and only solid defence kept the Talgarth men out. Gwerrnyfed conceded yet another penalty agonisingly when only inches from the Crickhowell line which turned out to be the final play as outside half Werrett cleared much to the delight of the home supporters.

A fantastic day of community rugby at its best, with both sides making it an entertaining afternoon and an enjoyable evening was had by all as both bands of supporters retired to enjoy Crickhowell's new clubhouse bar and facilities.

A GAME OF THREE THIRDS

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 09:14:32 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 51 BETTWS (NEWPORT) 29

What a game!

A big crowd was treated to an exhilarating game of rugby. The cliché about games of two halves was dismissed - this became a game of three thirds. Gwernyfed opened up a four try lead by the half hour, Bettws bounced right back with five tries of their own to take the lead by a point and then the green, white and blacks wrestled the game back in the last twenty minutes to send the home faithful to the bar in high spirits.

It all started off so simply. The Talgarth side took the game to the visitors from the kick off, incursions by backs and forwards punching holes in the defence, Will Eckley, outstanding all afternoon, the one to put his name on the scoresheet in showing strength and persistence to crash through from fifteen metres, Zack Snape adding the two points.

There was no let up for the Newport men with James Brute, Lewis Bowen and skipper Sam Stephens puncing holes in the defence, half backs Luke Eckley and Snape enjoying an armchair ride, releasing a speedy young back line. Notwithstanding some expansive moves, it was the maul that produced the second try, Cellan Skyrme finding Andrew Norris in the line out and then retrieving the ball at the base of the maul to add the five points.

Norris had an excellent game as always and was heavily involved in the third try, making good yards down the middle and timing his pass to centre Will Powell to perfection, Powell needing no second invitation to touch down under the posts. Like the proverbial London bus, you wait for one try and then two come along. Snape launched a massive clearance from deep in defence into the opposition 22. Gwernyfed were quickest of thought, took a quick line out with Powell the beneficiary.

Bettws had not looked like scoring in the first half hour. Whether Gwernyfed relaxed or whether the visitors found inspiration was not clear. In any event, while never really dominating affairs, either side of half time Bettws delivered five tries by way of a combination of bold drives down the middle and use of speed outside. The upshot was that on the hour Bettws had not only reeled Gwernyfed in but taken a one point, 29-28, lead.

Zack Snape had potted five penalties to cement a win down in Newport earlier in the season. Snape continued to be a thorn in the Bettws side, converting each of the green, white and black tries and then, when faced with losing a game that the Talgarth side looked nailed on to win, grabbed the initiative back by converting three penalty awards, re-opening an eight-point lead.

With ten minutes to go, Gwernyfed got their second wind and, refreshed by replacements including Prys Eckley, Ashton Barrell, Kyle Davies and Sean Waldeck, battered away at the visitors’ line. The name Eckley was on everyone’s lips and scrum half Luke was not about to allow his brother the monopoly of compliments. Eckley’s decision-making and service improve impressively every game and one notable feature is his instinct for when to release and when to snipe himself, the latter producing the fifth home try and easing the tension at the Brian Jones Memorial Field.

With the clock running down the final move summed up the afternoon for Gwernyfed, Will Eckley receiving the ball thirty metres out and heading for a try under the posts before being upturned by last gasp defence. Support can often be spare on such occasions, but Gwernyfed have a man for all seasons in skipper Sam Stephens, always on the elbow and on this occasion scooping up from Eckley to allow Snape a simple conversion by touching down under the posts.

Next weekend sees Gwernyfed travel to Crickhowell for the return league game. The game in Talgarth was hard-fought with Gwernyfed coming out on top. Local derbies are bound to be tight and anyone with a couple of hours to spare should beat a path down the A479 for rugby played in the best of spirits shouted on by what will be a healthy crowd.

GWERNYFED BEAT THE WEATHER

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 10:28:59 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 37 NEW TREDEGAR 13

After a four-week period when a combination of weather and opposition unavailability saw Gwernyfed without a game, the news that New Tredegar’s pitch was unplayable threatened a further lay-off. However, the persuasive efforts of Fixture Secretary Ian Hill saw the fixture reversed, underlining the invaluable work that behind the scenes volunteers such as irrepressible Hill put in to keep our national game in a healthy state.

Even The Brian Jones Memorial Field was a little damp! Nonetheless, former green, white and black prop and grounds keeper Mike Lewis deemed it playable, marked the lines and enabled what turned out to be a splendid game notwithstanding the conditions.

New Tredegar fielded a huge side, inevitably concentrating upon the drive down the middle. The early onslaught was efficiently dealt with, Lewis Bowen, Sam Stephens and James Brute to the fore in cutting down the big men. The visitors had taken a three-point lead, but once the main source of attack was blunted, Gwernyfed took the initiative with some positional kicking by Zack Snape putting the home pack on the front foot.

The first try was one straight out of the Gwernyfed playbook, Ashton Barrell’s line out throw finding Stephens with the resultant maul proving unstoppable, impressive Andrew Norris touching down.

It was a day built for forwards. Impressively, all five of the tries succeeding Norris’s five-pointer came from the backs, the most impressive of which was the second touch down by Cory Phillips out wide. The Bronllys youngster showed a good turn of speed in completing the move, rather reminiscent of father Alun who performed with huge credit at Gwernyfed and Ebbw Vale - though perhaps with not quite as much speed. The try saw the ball pass through the backs, centres Jack Williams and Will Powell making great progress before releasing Phillips for a glorious try.

As the half-time break beckoned New Tredegar did break the shackles and ploughed over for a try that suggested that the game may be close – the second period proved otherwise.

From the start Gwernyfed deployed the drive to suck in the defence with Luke Eckley and fly-half Snape then releasing the backs. The results were impressive in terms of both the expansiveness of play given the conditions and the outcome. Eckley himself increased the lead when spotting a gap, diving over the ruck to touch down.

Calum Fergusson donned the fifteen shirt for the first time and in doing so demonstrated both speed and dexterity with two splendid tries in quick succession. For the first the youngster chipped over the defence thirty metres out and in overtaking the opposition controlled the ball soccer-style to touch down. For the second smart interplay with Powell and Phillips saw Fergusson outwit the defence to extend the lead further.

New Tredegar, to their immense credit, never gave up and reaped the reward of their efforts with a late try. However, Gwernyfed were not done and a smooth move across the back line, late sub evergreen Gareth Dodd timing the final pass the perfection, put Phillips in on the right to complete both the scoring and a memorable afternoon.

One of the features of an afternoon that spoke highly of grass roots rugby was the presence of family units. including so many Gwernyfed RFC alumni. The Phillips family was well supported, father Alun, Mum Carol and Uncle Carwyn there to support Cory. Lisa and Mark Eckley looked on as lads Luke and Will played in green, wite and black with distinction. Mum Rose and Clara were there for Zack Snape, Luke Fergusson is an ever-present on the sidelines supporting Calum. Ieuan Thomas had the support of Mum and Mike Lewis. Fathers Terry Bowen and Rob Stephens watched their lads perform with aplomb and Andrew Norris scored in front of his parents. Prys Eckley made his Gwernyfed debut in front of father Stuart and Mum Simone watched young Ashton Barrell. All in all, a wonderful example of the principles and approach that underpin Gwernyfed Rugby Football Club.

ATHLETIC PIPPED AT THE POST

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 10:21:56 GMT

DRAGONS ATHLETIC LEAGUE

GWERNYFED ATHLETIC 24 MONMOUTH DRUIDS 25

With the green, white and black first team fixture a victim of the opposition being enable to field a side (symptomatic of the state of the game in Wales) the Athletic took centre stage. Jamie Coles’s side entertained not only an unbeaten Monmouth Seconds XV but also a large crowd in a game in which the lead changed hands several times.

After a fairly convincing win at home in November, Monmouth travelled confident of a similar outcome but were met by a very determined side in which Scott Rees, Kieran price and Ellis Evans were prominent. Attack was the order of the day and when centre Ieuan Thomas cut down his opposite number with a superb tackle, Calum Shine moved quickly from the ruck. The ball passed through the hands of Will Lloyd, Cori Phillips and Thomas and with the Monmoth defence in disarray Lloyd finished off a superb move by touching down under the posts, making his conversion a formality.

Monmouth showed their metal during the second quarter, but the home defence was sound and while Gwernyfed didn’t trouble the scoreboard operator further, thye held their lead with the visitors having only a single penalty to show for their effort in a first half that offered splendid entertainment and plenty of incident and endeavour.

The second period did not fail to disappoint. From the restart the visitors pressed hard and within minutes their livewire scrumhalf wrong-footed the Gwernyfed defence to touch down under the posts, making the conversion a formality. Monmouth’s lead was bolstered by a penalty, stinging the home side into turning the tables, their efforts rewarded when Ellis Evans got in under the posts, Lloyd’s two-pointer recovering the lead.

The referee was excellent but nevertheless zealous in penalising the indiscretion and it was Gwernyfed who felt the full force of the whistler’s decisions, conceding not just a series of penalties but also a red card when Scott Rees was ordered off for what looked to be a fairly innocuous offence. Monmouth’s fly half was a threat with the boot all afternoon and took full advantage of penalties, opening uo a 22-14 lead with only ten minutes remaining.

Re-inforced by fresh legs, props Cellan Skyrme, returning from long term injury, Ashton Barrell and hooker Owen Workman, Gwernyfed once again took to attack and when some impressive tackling caused a move out of the Monmouth 22 to break down, skipper Jamie Coles pounced upon the loose ball to canter in, once again Lloyd converting and restoring the lead.

The game had everything, including a late winner for Monmouth when yet another decision went against the home side, allowing Monmouth’s number 10 to seal a one point win in a game in which a draw would have offered reward to all concerned for offering a great afternoon’s rugby, emphasising the value of second XV rugby and the merit of commitment to the badge so clearly in play at both Monmouth and Gwernyfed.

ATHLETIC STALEMATE

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:32:34 GMT

TREF Y CLAWDD 0 GWERNYFED ATHLETIC 0

With Gwernyfed 1 ^st XV’s match falling to inclement weather for the second successive week, the Athletic travelled north through the Marches to play Trefyclawdd in a hastily arranged match that produced that rarest of rugby results – a nil nil draw. With a plethora of possession in the first 30 minutes of the game, the home forwards threatened to cross the Gwernyfed tryline a number of times but were thwarted by a combination of excellent Gwernyfed tackling, which was a feature throughout the whole game, allied to their own limited game plan, which saw little use of their backs. In the last 10 minutes of the first half, Gwernyfed came more into the game but half time was reached with no score.

The second half saw the Trefyclawdd set scrum continue to dominate but Gwernyfed came more into the game, with possession from ruck and maul creating a number of clear chances that, nevertheless, went begging. A change of approach by Trefyclawdd also saw their backs come more into the game, with their inside centre prominent. However, as the game unfolded, the stalemate continued until the final whistle.

The re-emergence of the Athletic team, under the stewardship of Andrew Torrance and Gethin Evans, has been a major feature at Gwernyfed this season, with games most Saturdays giving players regular rugby. A home match against Monmouth accompanies the 1 ^st XV home league game versus St Julians next Saturday, with after match carols starting an evening of entertainment to bring to an end the first half of the season.

DOUBLE DERBY WIN FOR GREEN, WHITE AND BLACKS

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 08:58:01 GMT

GWERNYFED U15 46 BRECON U15 24

Gwernyfed were due to host two home matches on the weekend and Friday night saw a large crowd enjoy a feast of Rugby as the Under 15s hosted local opposition Brecon at the Brian Jones Memorial Field.

With a drying ground the conditions were perfect for a running game and the youngsters produced some excellent Rugby. Both sides are well coached and drilled and let the ball do the work using their backs at every opportunity - sharing 12 tries in all. The first half was a clase affair, but the 2nd half saw Gwernyfed pull away to record a fine 46-24 victory.

Based on this display, both clubs would be delighted to have plenty of very good talent coming through the ranks to youth rugby soon.

GWERNYFED ATHLETIC 15 LLANDRINDOD 12

With the first frost of the Winter seeing the 1st team fixture away at Crumlin scuppered, the Athletic after a large run of away fixtures hosted Mid Wales neighbours Llandrindod.

The style of rugby between the two sides was a real contrast - Llandrindod's direct forward approach and Gwernyfed's desire to spread the ball to wide areas more often.

The more direct route was also a good source of gaining ground by the home side with returning hooker Kieran Price and Kyle Davies at No 8 catching the eye with their high workrate.

Scrum half Morgan Lewis instigated a blind side move and found Second row Lewis Meredith in support good yards were made and winger Ieuan Thomas was on hand to sprint over for the first score of the game with an unconverted try.

Llandrindod's strong forward pack were a real test for the home defence, but some great tackling by the home side - with Kyle Davies and Lloyd Rees especially impressive, keeping them at bay until the half hour when hooker Sam Davies touched down. Within minutes, a loose ball was pounced on by second row Jo Hughes to see the away side leading 5- 12 at the break.

Injuries and a large squad saw a few changes at half time and youngster Cameron Shine at 10 took advantage of a good stream of possession from the lineout - where captain Jamie Coles had a fine afternoon to pin the Llandrindod forwards back into the corners.

From another solid lineout, the ball was distributed well by centres Jonny and Lloyd Rees across the line to find wing Thomas who touched down for his second try wide out to take the score to 10 -12.

More introductions from the bench saw forwards Chris McGowan and Will Nicholls make a real impact as the game entered its final quarter. A missed penalty by the opposition gave the home side a chance to edge ahead and with five minutes to go with prop Will Nicholls powering his way over past several defenders to touch down for the winning score - much to the delight of his teammates and the home supporters.

The final score of 15 -12 saw Gwernyfed deservedly take the spoils in an entertaining game where the full squad had valuable game time. The Athletic are home again next week as are the 1st team with Club Sponsors Day taking place.'

A GAME OF TWO HALVES

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 09:08:22 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 37 BLACKWOOD STARS 10

Gwernyfed entertained Blackwood All Stars to a damp and sticky Trefecca Road in a game which eventually got going in the second half.

The first half started promisingly enough as with an early foray when young winger Calum Ferguson spotted a gap and outwitted the Blackwood defence to spped away to score a great solo on the blind side. A further penalty by Zack Snape was the only other score of a frustrating first half to take the score to 8-0.

The second half, however, was a different affair. Gwernyfed were stung into action after having a promising attack thwarted by the Blackwood centre who intercepted in his own 25 and sprinted in for a converted try.

With a one-point gap the home side settled and from a driving lineout Number 8 Lewis Bowen touched down. The more direct route was soon seen again when fly half Snape worked a move which saw the returning centre Jack Williams unstoppable as he touched down under the posts.

With the home side now completely dominating all aspects of the game Williams added a second wide out as the visitors tired. Young scrum half Luke Eckley was a constant live wire and he was next on the scoresheet, touching down after a powerful scrum surge by the home pack.

With the bonus point in the bag, full back Will Lloyd hit the ball at pace and powered over from another set move to wrap up proceedings at 37-10. A great second half performance to set the team up well for next week's visit to top of the table Crumlin. There will be a quiet confidence in the green, white and black camp that a result is within their grasp, continuing their good progress the league.

The Athletic were on the road yet again and visited the other club in Blackwood. The youngsters - bolstered by a couple of experienced players, put in a fine performance eventually going down 24-7. Having been on the road the last few weeks they are hopefully looking at a couple of well-deserved home fixtures in the next three weeks. Numbers are very strong for both sides which augers well for the future.

TRAVELS YIELD THE POINTS

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 09:10:03 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

HAFODYRYNYS 10 GWERNYFED 23

Gwernyfed travelled to territories new when visiting Hafodyrynys, west of Pontypool, where the home club offered a convivial welcome but failed to register a home win as Gwernyfed took the points at something of a canter.

Fly half Zac Snape was at the centre of events, potting eighteen points to make certain that the points came back to Talgarth. However, a combination of over-exuberant use of the whistle and an uncharacteristically downbeat Gwernyfed performance made the victory one of routine rather than celebration.

The pitch, weather and ground conditions lent themselves to good rugby and initial sorties by Sean Waldeck, Will Lloyd and evergreen Gareth Dodd suggested that a bonus point might be in the offing. However, rather than keeping ball in hand to take advantage of Gwernyfed’s superior fitness, the kick through was deployed, by and large unsuccessfully.

The hosts were losing set pieces and opted for shortened line-outs. Nonetheless, Sam Stephens still stole opposition ball and use of forwards in the back line saw Sam Clegg, Will Eckley and Andrew Norris punch big holes in the home defence. From one such incursion the attack was stopped only at the expense of a penalty which livewire scrum half Luke Eckley took quickly, passing to Snape on his elbow, the number 10 going over unattended from twenty metres, converting his own try.

Penalties were the order of the day with the referee appearing to have an aversion to anything beyond two phases of rugby. Hafodyrynys took advantage and before half-time had recorded two unconverted tries out wide to turn around with a lead that rather flattered the home side but did suggest that the green, white and blacks need to galvanise themselves in the second period.

Galvanisation subsequently ensued. However, it was never easy and it was certainly never pretty. The home side frustrated both the opposition and the referee and a stream of penalties saw Snape and Dodd pushing the ball into the corners only for the referee to penalise what was a dominant Gwernyfed line-out to maul move. By way of variation, Snape used two penalties to level the scores and then open up a three-point lead.

While Hafodyrynys didn’t look like snatching the lead back, the substantial Gwernyfed touchline support couldn’t rest easy until Lewis Bowen ploughed over after yet another penalty, Snape extending the lead to ten points with the conversion. Another Snape three-pointer closed the scoring but, while this was a comfortable win, a bonus point was on offer and coaches East, Thomas, Dodd and Lewis will be pressing their charges to put that to rights when Blackwood Stars visit Trefecca Road next Saturday.

DODD STREAKS AWAY FOR LATE WINNER

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 08:37:32 GMT

WRU Division 4 Cup

GWERNYFED 20 BRITON FERRY 10

Gwernyfed welcomed old rivals Briton Ferry to a damp Trefecca Road in the second round of the cup. In spite of very sticky conditions both sides produced a very har- fought and entertaining game which was only settled in the very last play..

Ferry, who have had a very good season so far and took the field with an obvious weight advantage up front, were very confident. The visitors were backed up by a very large travelling contingent who almost out-numbered the home supporters. However, the lighter home side edged the scrums with good technique and faired equally well in the lineout. The early exchanges unsettled the away side as their close driving play by their large forwards was met with a rock solid defence marshalled by back row men Sam Stephens Kyle Davies and Sam Clegg.

It was Gwernyfed who controlled the game and on 20 minutes youngster Clegg gathered a knock on some 70 yards out, stepped his man and sprinted clear of the defence to touch down for an outstanding converted try.

After a skirmish the away side saw a man in the bin after some back chat. The home side benefited and were next on the scoresheet as full back Scott Pritchard calmly slotted the 3 points for a 10 point lead. Fly half Gareth Dodds cleverly grubbed through a ball over the line but centre Will Powell was correctly adjudged by the referee Khalid Falvey, who had an excellent game, to have not touched down the bobbling ball correctly.

Turning round, Ferry came out much the stronger and controlled much of the 2nd half winning plenty of ball and using their heavy pack to good effect. They were met with an iron defence from every man in the green, white and black, second rows Norris and Eckley getting through immense work and plaudits must be given to the front row of Brute, Joe Jones and Craig Parry who not only repelled their opponents in the scrum but also in the loose.

Gwernyfed defence held firm for half an hour but on 70 minutes gave away a penalty duly converted. With the knowledge of a converted try being enough for the away side to go through, and with the vociferous travelling support, the atmosphere was electric, Ferry threw all thatthey had at Gwernyfed and finally breached the home defence for a try wide out. The conversion was difficult but duly registered with the touch judges the score tied at 10 all, the away side going through.

Behind the posts skipper Stephens rallied his men for one final push. From the kick off the ball was won, a few drives orchestrated by the excellent scrum half Luke Eckley followed and an indiscretion at the breakdown saw full back Pritchard aim for goal. The home side were delighted to see the penalty landed successfully, taking the lead 13-10 as the game headed into injury time.

Two minutes to goand in a final play Ferry gathered the ball bur Gwernyfed outside half and man of the match Gareth Dodd, quick on his opposite number, intercepted the ball inside his own half and sprinted clear to score under the posts, the Trefecca Road supporters roaring him on. With the score converted the game ended in a fantastic 20-10 victory to Gwernyfed.

The whole squad were outstanding in their commitment and the game will be one that will be remembered. Briton Ferry played their part as a " real cup rugby afternoon” was cemented in the bar with reminisces of the older members of both clubs back in their Neath and District days . A proper day of Welsh club rugby.

Meanwhile, Gwernyfed Athletic entertained Bedwas Barbarians in a boisterous game, with the visitors running out winners by 26 points to 5. The big Bedwas pack dominated the first half and, while the home team’s defensive resilience was again on display, the visitors had obtained a bonus point fourth try by half time, although the final score of the first half was an unconverted try by Gwernyfed’s hooker Owen Workman. The scoreless second half was a much more even contest, as the visitors tired allied to much of their focus being on expressing their dissatisfaction with the referee, leading to three yellow cards and numerous penalties.

With regular games throughout the season in the Dragons Athletic League, the newly re-established Gwernyfed Athletic is going from strength to strength, with numbers attending training and being available on Saturdays both indicating the enthusiasm that is being engendered.

SOMETHING HAD TO GIVE

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 07:49:54 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 14 NEWPORT SARACENS 27

With both sides unbeaten in league action this term, something had to give, and it was the green, white and black’s record, a strong end experienced Newport side taking a firm gasp on the game in the first half hour and never relenting.

The visitors presented a sizeable challenge from the outset, driving down the middle with movement founded upon a well organised set piece, both at scrum and line-out. It was not long before pressure told. Notwithstanding determined efforts from defenders such as Andrew Norris, Lewis Bowen and the ever-reliable Sam Stephens, ‘Sarries’ opened the scoring under the posts to make the conversion a formality.

If the first try owed its origins to brawn, the second relied upon brain when, faced with an impenetrable defence, the visitors’ fly half kicked wide to the wing where the speedy number eleven did the honours, the try converted from wide out.

Worse was to come on the half hour when, after a series of reverses in which seemingly fine play by Gwernyfed was inexplicably penalised, a third converted try was racked up. If it did nothing else that seemed to galvanise the home side and when fly half Zack Snape pushed a penalty into the corner, Toby Millington found his man and the pack trundled over, Richard East and James Brute to the fore with prop Craig Parry getting the touch down. Snape added the two points.

Before half-time the inevitability of the outstretched arm of the referee offered two more chances for goal to the visitors who, with the clinical approach successfully deployed all afternoon, extended the lead to twenty points before the half-time whistle.

Gwernyfed demonstrated their fitness and determination in the second period, sustaining play in the visitors’ half almost throughout. However, every time a try beckoned the whistle went, one Brute effort in particular being adjudged to be short of the line when those better placed saw things differently. Nevertheless, the resilience of the Newport side was unquestionable and it was deep into the game before a move involving Will Lloyd gave Callum Ferguson an opportunity which he took with aplomb, releasing the ball to flanker Sam Clegg who plunged over, Snape adding the two-pointer once again.

The defeat was a disappointment for a healthy crowd, but a dispassionate analysis showed that the visitors deserved the spoils. No one in green, white and black can have any regrets, all performed admirably and gave very drop for the cause. The same can be said of the Athletic who suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Blackwood Griffins on the adjoining pitch. The Athletic is a young side which suffered at the hands of a more experienced outfit, but with healthy numbers and a great spirit, even in defeat this was a very encouraging afternoon’s rugby.

League action is interrupted by the visit of Briton Ferry to Trefecca Road next weekend when the faithful will watch the next round of the WRU cup in the hope that the green. white and blacks can progress to the quarter final.

BRAGGING RIGHTS GO TO GWERNYFED

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:54:36 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 27 CRICKHOWELL 5

By way of an hors d’oeuvre for the Wales match, Gwernyfed entertained neighbours Crickhowell in the first ever league game between the Clubs in front of a sizeable and vociferous crowd. No quarter was asked or given, though the Talgarth side were fitter and more savvy than the visitors from the south and landed a try bonus win to delight the home faithful.

Crickhowell started frenetically, trying to unsettle the hosts by moving the ball wide from the first few rucks. However, the likes of skipper Sam Stephens and number eight Lewis Bowen had seen it all before and snuffed out incursions with ease. In fact, adventure almost proved to be the visitors’ downfall when Callum Ferguson flew out of the line to intercept, his stretch meaning that the youngster didn’t quite get enough of the ball to hold on, but the signs were there.

After ten minutes the game settled into a truer rhythm with Gwernyfed winning their set piece and making hay at the breakdown, James Brute in particular first over the ball. The pack pressed down the right and looked close to opening the scoring only to be frustrated by some resolute defence. When the drive was stopped, livewire scrum half Luke Eckley snapped the ball out to the backs, quicks hands from Zack Snape and fleet of foot from Tom Morgan delivered the ball to Ferguson who touched down under the posts, making Snape’s conversion a formality.

The re-start saw Gwernyfed on the front foot once again and while Crickhowell defended bravely, penalties started to creep in. When offside on the halfway line on the half hour the visitors were taught the error of their ways by Scott Pritchard who extended the lead to ten points.

The scoreboard remained unaltered at the break but it was not long before Gwernyfed turned their pressure into points. Hooker Joe Jones, a pocket dynamo, found his man unerringly at the line-out all afternoon and when Sam Stephens plucked the ball out of the air ten metres out, his pack propelled themselves to the line, Jones himself applying the coup de grace.

It was all Gwernyfed now and after several drives down the middle, James Holmes-Powell and Will Eckley prominent, once again the defence was unlocked by a slick series of passes from thirty metres out involving full back Will Lloyd and impressive centre Tom Morgan who timed his pass to Sean Waldeck to perfection, the speedy winger beating the cover defence to touch down.

A fourth try bonus beckoned and it was not long in coming, this time from a maul in which replacements Andrew Norris and prop Cellan Skyrme played a bug part, the latter finishing the movement off with the five points, Snape adding the conversion from wide out.

It could have been more, but Crickhowell offered stubborn resistance and plenty of spirit. The visitors’ attacking ideas were limited to the big drive down the middle which was frustrated with ease by Gwernyfed’s defensive organisation and tackle success. However, with the clock running down those who had travelled over the hill at Pengenffordd got the reward that their effort deserved when skipper Lewis Logan ploughed over for a consolation try.

A thoroughly enjoyable game on a fine afternoon saw the large crowd repair to the bar for the World Cup game, reflecting on a good performance that sets the bar high for next Saturday’s game at Trefecca Road against Newport Saracens, both teams unbeaten in the league this term – something has to give!

On Friday evening Gwernyfed Athletic travelled to Abergavenny to play a cup game against a Quins side strengthened by several first teamers, the senior XV’s game on Saturday having been called off. In the end the influence of so many players used to Division One rugby told on a young Gwernyfed side. However, a defeat was no disgrace and coaches and spectators alike were delighted with the skill and effort on display.

The weekend was completed by Gwernyfed Ladies who entertained their counterparts from Blackwood in a WRU Championship fixture. The Talgarth outfit returned a 20-12 victory, skipper Bronnie Jones commending every one of the team for a splendid effort that brought down the curtain on a great weekend’s rugby at Gwernyfed.

SNAPE SEWS IT UP

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 07:34:04 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

BETTWS (NEWPORT) 5 GWERNYFED 15

Fielding a side affected by work commitments and injury offered a number of youngsters an opportunity to step up to show their wares – and boy, they certainly did so in the face of a big, aggressive, outfit backed up by a vociferous crowd.

The emergence of young players from the Gwernyfed Mini/Junior/Youth conveyor belt underlines the whole ethos of the Talgarth Club. Family names such as Bowen, East, Eckley, Lloyd, Morgan, Rees, Skyrme, Snape and Stephens are now providing their second and third generations of green, white and blacks.

From the start it was clear that the home side would use their bulk to try to intimidate the visitors. Experience in the form of James Brute, Richard East, Lewis Bowen and skipper Sam Stephens inspired the rest of the pack with Will Eckley, Sam Clegg, James Holmes-Powell and hooker Joe Jones cutting down the attackers at every turn.

Within fifteen minutes the hosts began to realise that might and main would not win the day and resorted to the dark arts. That approach offered fly-half Zack Snape the chance to open the scoring with a penalty. That was quickly cancelled out when Bettws did show some enterprise, chipping over the advancing defence allowing the pursuing flanker to touch down for what was to be the home side’s only real sight of the try line.

The rest of the first period had Gwernyfed winning its own set-piece rugby with aplomb, scrum half Luke Eckley and Snape distributing well through the backs. When the ball did go Bettws’s way, any attempt to go wide was snuffed out by great tackling by Ieuan Thomas, Matty Price and centres Lloyd Rees and Tom Morgan. One notable feature throughout was the performance of young full back Callum Ferguson who never shirked a tackle and showed his pace and promise in attack, one more in a series of fine performances.

Failure to stop Gwernyfed’s set piece cost the home side dear as penalties were incurred on a regular basis, Snape potting three more before the break to open up a seven point lead.

The second period started as the first, the home side applying blunderbuss tactics, taking tap penalties all over the pitch only to be cut down by the visitors, now reliably re-inforced by replacements Tom Lloyd, Toby Millington, Ieuan Coles, Kyle Davies and Cori Phillips. At the back Cori Phillips came on, fielding the high ball and making the sort of yardage in attack that, with father great ex-Ebbw Vale prop, Alun, watching proudly on, illustrated the value of continuity and heritage.

It was the much fitter green, white and blacks who dominated the closing stages, Snape extending the lead with another three-pointer. The fly half had a great game, kicking well off tee and out of hand and distributing calmly, but it would be wrong to single out any one of the twenty – every man jack played for their mates and for the badge, making the travelling spectators a proud bunch.

Next weekend’s rest to watch Wales gives way to a local derby in a fortnight, Crickhowell visiting The Brian Jones Memorial Field for the first time in a league fixture. A big crowd and a great occasion awaits...

AN AFTERNOON TO FORGET

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 08:49:28 GMT

WRU Division 4 Cup

GWERNYFED 16 NEW TREDEGAR 13

Having failed to field a team when due up at Trefecca Road in the league last week, New Tredegar did attend for this cup fixture. Many witnessing the afternoon’s events rather wish that the visitors had reneged again.

Two Gwernyfed players sustained terrible injuries during the game. Within minutes of the kick off young hooker Bradley Haven got in a position to steal opposition ball at the ruck only to be cleared out himself, the robust challenge resulting in what appeared to be a shoulder break. After a lengthy stoppage Haven was off to hospital where the eventual diagnosis revealed major muscle damage rather than a fracture.

Worse was to come. Centre Dylan Skyrme, moving up from Youth to senior rugby, was involved in what looked like an innocuous challenge as a result of which the Talgarth student sustained the most terrible broken ankle. Excellent physio Danni Clarke stipulated that Dylan shouldn’t be moved and once he was comfortable the game continued on the adjacent pitch.

The ambulance paramedics arrived and decided that a doctor was called for. Wales Air Ambulance and a doctor arrived within minutes and after a lengthy period of treatment in the ambulance to stabilise the injury. Dylan went off to Hereford Hospital and was operated on the following morning. This incident underlined, if it needed underlining, the immense importance of the air ambulance service. Gwernyfed RFC makes regular contributions to the service and the scale the post-match collection in the clubhouse confirmed just how highly the service is rated.

As to the match, it was entirely forgettable. Tries by Kyle Davies and Will Lloyd and two Scott Pritchard penalties put the green, white and blacks through to the next round, but there were no celebrations on what was a depressing afternoon.

Much more positively, Gwernyfed Athletic travelled to the Heads of the Valleys for a hastily arranged game against Tredegar Ironsides. With only fifteen players, while the opposition squad stretched to thirty, it always looked a tall order for the young Athletic team, as appeared to be confirmed when the Irons scored two tries in the first five minutes to lead 12-0. However, the Gwernyfed players went on to show great spirit and commitment both in attack and, even more so, in defence and half time was reached with a score of 19-7, following a further try a piece.

The second half saw the home team bringing on a completely new set of players, with touchline anticipation that fresh legs might see the visitors wilt. This did not, however, prove to be the case and, in a closely fought 40 minutes, a single try by the home team produced a final scoreline of 26-7.

The match proved to be an excellent development step for the young Gwernyfed players, as the club seeks to build its player base in order to run two senior teams on a regular basis, both sides travelling south next weekend.

WORLD CUP WARM-UP FOR ATHLETIC

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 09:23:04 GMT

Development Game

GWERNYFED ATHLETIC 31 TREDEGAR IRONSIDES 5

With league opposition crying off, Gwernyfed Fixture Secretary Ian Hill got to work to provide both opposition and that rarest of commodities, a referee. As usual the Llanfilo man came up trumps. Tredegar Ironsides had also been let down by their league opposition and were keen to travel, Excellent ref Jeremy Parsons from Abercarn agreed to give up his afternoon and all was set to give Gwernyfed’s Athletic XV a chance to build upon their great start to the season.

The visitors took the green, white and blacks to be an inexperienced outfit and tried to bully their way to the line in the first ten minutes. They got no change from a determined defence, B & R Senedd Member James Evans, youngster Owen Workman and flanker Sam Clegg prominent in the tackle area. Behind, speedsters Sean Waldeck, Ieuan Thomas and Matthew Price showed the Tredegar outfit what was to come with both fllet foot and great handling.

The opening score after fifteen minutes was a function of the pressure put on the home pack with the likes of Rhys Mills and Jamie Coles out-muscling and out-thinking the opposition. When the five points came it was courtesy of a maul, Workman and Evans again prominent to helping Kyle Davies over the whitewash. Veteran fly-half Gareth Dodd converted.

By the twenty-minute mark pressure was beginning to tell. The speed of ball delivery at the ruck and scrum half Luke Eckley’s quick causing consternation in the defensive ranks. Tries were inevitable and both Eckley and centre Tom Morgan responded when the opportunities arose, Dodd adding two points to see the home side turn around with a nineteen point lead.

The second period was dominated by Gwernyfed, fresh legs coming on at regular intervals to add to the visitors’ problems. A second Morgan try extended the lead and then a cameo run from Dodd, beating six defenders with a 35 metre mazey run from the halfway line, found replacement Darren Roe in his elbow to complete a stunning move. Both men have waved good bye to their thirties, but neither shows any sign of being other than vital and enthusiastic cogs in the Gwernyfed make-up.

In spite of the fact that the visitors never gave up and were finally rewarded with a very late, consolation, try, this was a good work-out, showing that there is plenty of talent and depth at Trefecca Road. Next weekend’s tests see the First XV hosting New Tredegar with the Athletic visiting Newport HSOB before Wales take on Portugal later in the afternoon – hopefully three wins!

A DRAW, BUT RUGBY THE WINNER

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 07:24:34 GMT

WRU Division 4 East

GWERNYFED 25 NEW PANTEG 25

The new season was greeted by a glorious day with a large crowd, including a very healthy visitor contingent, enjoying an excellent game of rugby with honours shared, rugby the winner.

With Gwernyfed being moved into the East Division, new opponents present new challenges and so it proved with the visitors from Pontypool. For the first ten minutes a robust pack and speedy set of backs put Gwernyfed under pressure, though back rowers Will Eckley, Lewis Bowen and new skipper Sam Stephens blunted the threat with great tackling and constant pressure at the breakdown.

Once the initial surge was repelled, Gwernyfed’s new look side, including top class youngsters Cameron Shine and Brad Aven getting their first taste of senior rugby, took the game back to the visitors. Props James Brute and James Holmes-Powell punched holes in the defence and once the sword had done its job, the rapier in the form of evergreen fly half Gareth Dodd dived in for the first five points of the new term. Will Lloyd converted and the season was underway.

New Panteg showed all afternoon what a good side they are. When their long clearance offered a hugely fortunate bounce to present their openside flanker with the ball, from the ensuing, sparsely populated, ruck speedy full back Lewis Bury swooped in as the ball saw daylight, stepped over the ruck and showed his turn of foot from 25 metres, the conversion a formality. The green, white and black lead had lasted for a full minute!

On the half hour Lloyd put Gwernyfed back in front with a penalty, a product of some good work involving Shine and centre Zack Snape, but once again the visitors bounced back, equalising with a three pointer from distance potted by Dan James. As half-time beckoned, it looked as if the sides would turn around on level terms until another cruel bounce, this time in Gwernyfed’s favour, offered Tom Morgan a chance out wide which the Llandefalle centre took with aplomb.

The second period started much the same as the first with New Panteg taking the initiative, their efforts rewarded with a penalty that brought them within two points of the home side.

Whilst Gwernyfed’s pack was dominant, the visitors backs were swift and handled well, qualities demonstrated in full when Bury made a break on the outside, releasing Ethan ‘Smiley’ Edmonds who touched down, the lead extended to five points by James’s conversion from wide out.

When, on the hour, Sior Gibbs took advantage of some uncertainty at the breakdown on the green, white and black 22 and strolled in with the defence waiting for the whistle, a ten-point lead looked to have sealed the win for the Pontypool outfit. However, skipper Stephens rallied the troops and with fresh legs in the form of Messrs Parry, Norris, Clegg and Skyrme up front and speedster Sean Waldeck taking over at 15, the stage was set.

First an excellent move initiated by Will Lloyd and Gareth Dodd, the latter delivering a masterful display all afternoon, allowed Will Powell the ghost of a chance on the right. The New Panteg tackling had been fierce all through, and so it proved again, but somehow Powell resisted the challenges and rolled over the tacklers to touch down, Lloyd’s long distance conversion shaving the post.

With ten minutes to go, pressure created by Dodd finding space caused what had until then been a sound defence to panic, the result a penalty which Dodd prodded just inside the 22 metre line. The throw was unerring, skipper Stephens plucked the ball out of the blue sky and his pack returned the compliment by propelling him towards the line. Craig Parry tok over, touching down to bring the scores level and bag the try bonus point. Once again, Lloyd’s kick from wide out was agonisingly close.

The last few minutes had Gwernyfed on top and when Jack ‘Sol’ Williams took a clearance kick wide out he looked to have an opportunity to score the winner until the otherwise excellent referee, Gareth Johns, considered that Williams had knocked on, a decision queried even by the large visiting contingent. Nonetheless, honour was served when a marvellously entertaining game was brought to an end with the spoils shared.

Meanwhile, Gwernyfed Athletic travelled to Newport to play their Pill Harrier counterparts in the Dragons Athletic XV League and notched up a fine 21-5 victory. The first half-hour saw Pill win a stream of possession but they were thwarted as Gwernyfed’s superb defensive performance limited them to a single try. As the big home forwards tired, Gwernyfed gained ascendancy, scoring a converted try to lead 7-5 at half time. The second half was all Gwernyfed, and they scored a further two seven-pointers.

This was an excellent first match of the season for this young side, although it was Darren Rowe, twice the age of a number of his teammates, who pipped them to the man of the match award.

With the Athletic XV winning at Pill Harriers, a hostile venue at the best of times, and returning with a win, the coaching team of Messrs Dodd, East, Lewis and Thomas professed themselves to be moderately pleased with the start – but they hope for more from next week’s visit to St Julians and the visit of Abergavenny Quins to take on the Athletic at The Brian Jones Memorial Field.

SIX NATIONS TICKETS

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 09:12:00 GMT

SIX NATIONS 2024

TICKET APPLICATION DEADLINE

The deadline for ordering 2024 Six Nations tickets is 30 August.

Above is a list of dates and prices. All payments due by the end of the year. Please note that the French game is on Sunday 10 March, which is Mother’s Day.

All ticket requests to Lawrence Duffy

Email Lawrence.duffy@hotmail.co.uk or call 07968 187012.

YOUTH TEAM SAY THANK YOU...

Thu, 11 May 2023 08:08:35 GMT

BELGIUM TOUR 2023

THE YOUTH TEAM SAY THANKS...

Gwernyfed Youth presenting main tour sponsor Steve Greenow with his tour shirt and the Welsh Air Ambulance with a cheque for £500 from tour fund raising. Captain Dylan Skyrme said "We are very grateful to all our tour sponsors and we were determined when we started fundraising that we gave back. The Welsh Air Ambulance provide a great service in rural Mid Wales and we are privileged to be able to support their great work."

GWERNYFED GET JUST REWARDS

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 09:03:12 GMT

WRU Division 4 Central East

GWERNYFED 27 CAERAU ELY 21

On a great day for rugby in front of a good crowd, James Brute’s Gwernyfed outfit entertained title challengers Caerau Ely. Having despatched several sides with eyes upon the top at The Brian Jones Memorial Field this term, the green, white and blacks sustained the trend and sent the highly-fancied side back down the A470 with their tails firmly between their legs.

In spite of the lengthy injury list, the Talgarth outfit took the game to the visitors from the outset. Good tactical kicking from half backs Gerwyn Williams and Zack Snape guaranteed good filed position and when a line out ten metres out offered opportunity, Brute’s side needed no second invitation. The ever-reliable Sam Stephens plucked the ball out of the air and the pack, locks Richard East and Will Eckley prominent, propelled the maul over the line with Cellan Skyrme applying the coup de grace. Williams added the conversion to open up a seven-point lead after only five minutes.

Careau Ely are nothing if not robust and resilient. They took the game back to Gwernyfed and laid siege to the home line for twenty minutes. The Cardiff men got their reward by way of two unconverted tries to open up a three-point lead. However, Brute rallied his troops and opened up a front which saw back rowers Lloyd Rees and Kyle Davies and hooker James Holmes-Powell making inroads and full back Will Lloyd’s incursions gaining hard yards. The product was a platform for the pack to sustain pressure on the visitors’ line, that pressure converted to points when skipper Brute ploughed over to give the green, white and blacks a narrow lead at the break.

The second period saw Gwernyfed on the front foot courtesy of some speedy movement from the backs where centres Tom Morgan and Rhodri Williams troubled their opposite numbers throughout. When Lloyd released Morgan thirty metres out on the left, the Llandefalle man looked odds on to score but was halted by some excellent defence which nonetheless saw Morgan pop the ball up for Jack Williams to finish the task.

A series of attacks intent upon extending the lead were repulsed, but once again the backs did the work with scrum half Gerwyn Williams intent upon delivering quick ball. Fly half Snape gave Morgan space and opportunity which took the green, white and blacks deep into opposition territory. At the breakdown a quick ruck saw Williams spread the ball which went along the line to Will Powell who made no mistake.

Caerau Ely never gave up and reduced the arrears with a try down the left wing, Williams replying with a long-range penalty, the visitors adding the last points with a penalty of their own just before the final whistle. An excellent victory for an injury-hit outfit.

Next weekend offers the nearest Gwernyfed have to a local derby when they visit old friends Cefn Coed for the last journey of the season. Travels this term have been long and unrewarding and Brute and his men will want to change that as the campaign nears its end, two more home games against Ynysowen and Wattstown completing the fixture list.

A GAME OF TWO HALVES

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 09:58:42 GMT

WRU Division 4 Central East

LLANTWIT MAJOR 24 GWERNYFED 10

A Gwernyfed team weakened by absences caused by illness and farming commitments embarked upon the longest trip of the season to the seaside. The travellers faced a mature side on a dry pitch with the usual stiff south-westerly suggesting that this would be a game of two halves – which turned out to be the case, though not quite as initially foreseen.

Gwernyfed faced both the wind and the slope in the first period and yet largely held their own. The initial skirmishes saw the speedy south coasters’ backs being chopped down by some good midfield tackling involving Tom Morgan and Will Powell and the green, white and black back rowers Sam Stephens, Levi Phillips and Lloyd Rees, the latter making a welcome return from international shearing duty. When the visitors attacked it was through the forwards, Richard East and Andrew Norris making inroads but being held by an experienced Llantwit outfit.

The impasse was broken after twenty minutes of play in midfield when the home side touched down wide out but, thanks to some speedy incursions from Sean Waldeck and Ryan Meredith play then switched to the other end and though the only reward was a Gerwyn Williams penalty, the prospects looked good for a second half turn around even though the notion was slightly dented in the dying seconds when a missed tackle wide out on the left saw the hosts’ lead extended to seven points at half time.

Far from being all Gwernyfed in the second period, a series of squandered opportunities when line-out ball was lost and the usually reliable green, white and black scrum malfunctioned, handed the impetus back to Llantwit Major. The penalty count against Gwernyfed grew, frustration being at the base of it, and on the hour a third, converted try extended the lead.

Notwithstanding the valiant efforts of the travelling band, the speed that the home side possessed behind paid off and their bonus point try on seventy minutes all but killed off James Brute’s side’s hopes. However, their resilience was rewarded when Rhodri Williams intercepted in his own half and, having made good ground, released Tom Morgan who completed the task of touching down for what was a consolation try converted by Williams.

Not an entirely satisfying journey to the southern-most rugby club in Wales, though as always every man showed endeavour and grit. In this stop-start season the fields now lie silent for another fortnight in favour of the Six Nations with the next action at Trefecca Road seeing Gwernyfed welcome Treherbert on 25 March for what is always a close encounter.

WALES v ENGLAND

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 08:31:34 GMT

Welcome to the Club Tom!

We are pleased to welcome our New Bar Manager Tomas Wood and his team to the club.

On Saturday, at half time during the Wales v England game Tom will be offering chicken curry and a pint for a tenner! We look forward to seeing you...

REPRESENTATIVE HONOURS FOR TOM

Tue, 31 Jan 2023 21:45:06 GMT

RUGBY NEWS

Good luck to Tom Morgan on his selection to play for the Mid District in the Inter District Cup competition against Central Glamorgan District at Maesteg on Thursday evening.

GWERNYFED EXTEND UNBEATEN HOME RUN

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 09:35:35 GMT

WRU Division 4 Central East

GWERNYFED 20 TONYREFAIL 17

After a series of away trips pre-Christmas, the quirks of the fixture list gave the green, white and blacks three home games in succession. James Brute’s men have taken full advantage with this win over the Rhondda outfit completing the hat-trick and protecting the unbeaten record at The Brian Jones Memorial Field this term.

Back in September Gwernyfed were just edged into second place by a robust Tonyrefail. On this occasion the home side were good value for the win, the pack dominating their bigger and heavier opponents under Brute’s leadership, his front row partners Craig Parry and Cellan Skyrme impressive in tight and loose.

The early exchanges set the scene with Gwernyfed on the front foot, softening up the defence with vigorous charges by Lewis Bowen, Tom Lloyd and Richard East. When the ball went wide by way of half backs Williams and Lloyd there looked to be opportunity, but the opening score resulted from an excellent punt by Lloyd which allowed Ryan Meredith and Will Powell to close down the visiting full back. Meredith charged down his attempted clearance and Powell touched down for the five points.

Official Francesca Martin not only wrote a little bit of history - as the first female referee in senior men’s rugby at Trefecca Road, but also earned the respect of both teams with her firm control over the game. With ruck, maul and set piece abounding the game demanded close attention and the penalty count showed that to have been the case. However, when Tom Lloyd plucked the ball out of the air at a line out ten metres out the maul, skipper Brute leading by example, the official adjudged the maul to be flawless, allowing Andrew Norris an armchair ride to the second try.

Lots of arm wrestling produced very little, but with half-time approaching Gwernyfed conceded a needless penalty which the visiting side prodded into touch. The line out/maul was defended but when the ball squeezed out the scrum half was quickest to react, just getting over for what turned out to be a seven pointer. A penalty soon after allowed Tonyrefail to draw level, bringing what had been an interesting first half to a close.

Spurred on by the support of a sizeable crowd Gwernyfed charged into action upon the restart. The weapon of choice was the bludgeon with Bowen, Richard East and Tom Lloyd making substantial inroads up the middle. When the skipper spotted a gap he charged over with plenty of defenders on top to recover the lead, extended to seven points by Gerwyn Williams.

Twenty minutes during which Gwernyfed had the advantage, particularly in the scrum where ball was being won against the head, saw the scoreboard remained motionless as injuries and the mounting penalty count disrupted continuity. When another penalty presented the choice of the prod into the corner or the attempt at the posts, Gerwyn Williams opted for the latter and his assured effort opened up a ten-point lead with fifteen minutes remaining.

Tonyrefail are not the type of side to give up and when the referee’s patience finally ran out and Cellan Skyrme saw yellow the Rhondda outfit got a try in the left-hand corner which was converted with aplomb, setting up a tense finale. However, Gwernyfed’s game management was good and Tonyrefail never looked close to rescuing the game, the green, white and blacks on the front foot as the final whistle went.

Next weekend sees a pause in favour of the Six Nations after which old foes Wattstown visit Trefecca Road – a game always worth watching and one that will see Gwernyfed determined to defend their unbeaten home record.

PAST MEMBER REUNION - 80s & 90s.

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 16:00:10 GMT

CONVINCING WIN AGAINST SEASIDERS

Sun, 15 Jan 2023 13:55:34 GMT

WRU Division 4 Central East

GWERNYFED 31 OLD PENARTHIANS 3

Conditions at The Brian Jones Memorial Field were surprisingly good given the rain of previous days and top class ground stewards Highground had no hesitation in giving the OK for the Penarthians to travel up the A470. The upshot was a resounding victory for the green, white and blacks with the four-try bonus point in the bag before the half-time break.

Playing against a brisk wind, the visitors took the game to Gwernyfed and within five minutes benefitted to the tune of three points when the home defence strayed offside. That was the last major incursion in attack for the Old Boys who spent the next seventy-five minutes on the back foot, overwhelmed by a confident Gwernyfed.

At the root of the performance, inevitably on heavy ground, was the home pack with front rowers Cellan Skyrme, Craig Parry and skipper James Brute, bolstered by significant heft from locks Andrew Norris and Richard East, making progress at every scrum. There efforts were rewarded by half backs Gerwyn Williams and Will Lloyd who distributed the ball to good effect. The first try was not long in coming, a move by centres Tom Morgan and Rhodri Williams finding flanker Kyle Davies out wide where he touched down for the second week in succession.

The dominance at the scrum was underpinned by good line out ball, Sam Stephens taking some great ball to set up a platform for the maul. A couple of desperate interventions from the beleaguered defence saved the day but a second try was inevitable and from another rolling maul Cellan Skyrme touched down, Gerwyn Williams converting from wide out.

The third try on the half hour was a peach. Fly half Will Lloyd, a threat all afternoon, made a great break, making thirty metres before linking with Stephens who in turn found Tom Morgan, another who Penarth failed to shackle. Morgan timed his pass to full back Ryan Meredith perfectly, giving the youngster a armchair ride to the try line.

As the game progressed the scrum advantage earned by the green, white and blacks became ever more telling. When the defenders had the put in on their five yard line, the pressure told and as the visiting pack retreated the ball spat out over the try line, Gerwyn Williams, alert throughout, tapped down to earn both the bonus pint and a simple conversion.

The second period offered the visitors the benefit of the wind, but that hardly changed the direction of travel, the green, white and blacks on the front foot throughout. Man of the match, number 8 Lewis Bowen, and left-wing Johnny Rees both went close and fresh legs in Scott Rees, Will Nicholls and Lewis Meredith made Penarth’s task all the more difficult. However, the conditions and some stout defence kept the scoreboard static unto ten minutes from the end when scrum half Williams popped up a pass to prop Cellan Skyrme, taking a great line and going in unopposed from twenty metres. Williams added the two points.

Further opportunities saw a few over-eager efforts brought to an end by a sympathetic (and excellent) referee and as the floodlights cut through the gloom, the final whistle saw a contented crowd return to the welcome warmth of The Old Malthouse. Coaches Roberts and Reynolds professed themselves to be pleased with progress. With a fortnight’s rest before the visit of Tonyrefail to Talgarth, a third win on the trot looks to be a distinct possibility.

TWO POINTS SEPARATE OLD FRIENDS

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 08:47:39 GMT

WRU Division 4 Central East

GWERNYFED 10 CEFN COED 8

Gwernyfed got back to league rugby with only their third home game of the season. Heavy rain overnight brought a nervous dawn but with the skies brightening the local derby with old friends Cefn Coed was on. The conditions were obviously poor but both sides produced an excellent tight-fought match, well refereed by the man in the middle.

Gwernyfed took control of the scrum throughout the game the front row dominating added to which a welcome return of the experienced Richard East from long term injury to the second row bolstered the heft exercised by the pack. Line outs were well contested by both sides despite the difficult conditions the weather being miserable and windy all afternoon.

It was Gwernyfed who got on the score sheet first, centres Tom Morgan and Rod Williams carrying powerfully until youngster Kyle Davies popped up in support to carry a couple of defenders over the Line for Gwernyfed’s only try, ably converted by scrum half Gegs Williams from wide out.

Cefn Coed defended well, as did both sides throughout, as Gwernyfed pressed, but despite getting over the line three times, no try resulted as that attackers were twice held up and the vigilant ref correctly spotted a double movement to frustrate the green, white and blacks.

It was Cefn who slotted a penalty next, returned in kind by Williams for Gwernyfed bringing the score at fifty minutes to 10-3. The status quo maintained until the final minutes when a rare incursion by the visitors saw a line out ball bobble loose for the eager Cefn flanker to gather and crash over in the corner.

With the resultant conversion going wide, Gwernyfed again defended well in the last couple of minutes with the final score finishing with a narrow two-point home win , nonetheless, a well-deserved victory for the Talgarth side. Both sides handled well and defended superbly and as sponsors for the day, Vaughan and Vaughan solicitors identified the back row of Sam Stephens, Lewis Bowen and Scott Rees as having fantastic games with a huge defensive performance, Stephens narrowly taking the Man of the Match award.

Three home games so far, three wins and the next three games at home. There is a growing confidence as the second half of the season half of the season beckons, with the lengthy Christmas break also allowing injured players to recover, the two Meredith boys, Lewis and Ryan, returning from long term injuries had run outs that bolstered the now mainly fully fit squad for next week’s home game against Old Penarthians. There's real competition for places for coaches Roberts and Reynolds to work with.

BRASS MONKEYS AT TREFECCA ROAD

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 14:06:43 GMT

Cardiff Blues Youth Cup

GWERNYFED YOUTH 37 BEDDAU YOUTH 26

On a cold and frosty day that saw many games in Wales postponed, visitors Beddau made their way to the Brian Jones Memorial Field, with the result of the match set to determine the fate of their respective Blues Cup runs.

After victories over neighbours Brecon, Merthyr, Builth and Pontypridd - a narrow loss away to Treorchy put the latter two on the same points going into the game. With all interested parties agreeing after a pitch inspection that the game should go ahead, it was time to take the layers keeping the players warm off and the game to commence.

Gwernyfed’s senior side were all lined up to face Ynysowen, but the referee’s car broke down so spectators migrated to ensure a large crowd that was warmed up by some superb Rugby from the Green, White and Blacks. With the pack working well, outstanding contributions from James Griffiths on the flank, Ollie Rose at eight and pack leader for the day Alfred Bateman Lloyd in the boiler house gave a great platform for the ever impressive backs to be unleashed.

It wasn't long before the hard working and committed efforts of Dominic George paid off and he crossed for the first points of the day. Callum Ferguson ensuring five was improved to seven. From here on in, it was ping pong scores before second gear was found seeing Harris Saunders-Jones crossed for a superb individual effort of a try.

Crossing twice on the day, the ever impressive Matthew Price at outside half saw the Gwernufed lead grow and grow. Backing this contribution up was the powerful Dylan Skyrme, who like Price crossed twice, firstly through pure pace and the second seeing pure power, crossing with three tacklers on him.

A huge squad effort against a good Beddau side brought a victory home 37-26 on the day and made sure Gwernyfed Youth progressed further in the Cardiff Blues Cup where a spot in the final is the target.

SIX NATIONS 2023 TICKETS

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 09:10:39 GMT

Now that Warren Gatland is back, tickets for the Six Nations games against Ireland on Saturday 4th February at 2.15 and England on Saturday 25 February at 4.45 are at a premium!

As a member of Gwernyfed RFC you are entitled to apply for tickets to both of these games. There is no limit to the number you order; if oversubscribed there will be a draw in the clubhouse.

Ticket prices are:

Ireland £105 (50% of our allocation) £80 and £40

England £115 (75% of our allocation) and £90

The order for tickets along with payment, needs to be made by 31 December.

Bank details :

Gwernyfed RFC

51-81-27

86631780

Put your surname as reference. If you cannot pay online you can visit NatWest in Brecon in person and pay either cash or a cheque into this account .

Thank you.

Lottery Jackpot reaches £2000!

studio@touchdowndesign.net (Neil Morris) — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 14:19:29 GMT

The Gwernyfed RFC Club Lottery Jackpot is now £2000!

Click the button below to buy your tickets online or buy a ticket from behind the bar in the Malthouse...

VICTORY IN THE SUN

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 09:44:57 GMT

WRU Division 4 East Central

GWERNYFED 19 LLANDAFF NORTH 8

On a glorious day Gwernyfed entertained a travelling Dolgellau Youth XV in the morning in advance of an early kick-off in the league occasioned by the Wales game in Cardiff. The weather and the early kick-offs were clearly to the green, white and blacks’ liking as both sides recorded wins.

Those watching the Youth XV friendly fixture will have been impressed with the standards on show from both sides. Gwernyfed took the honours with a 15-7 win, but the performances throughout auger well for the future of the game. The senior side at Trefecca Road watched on and were no doubt encouraged to put in a really sound performance that lifted Gwernyfed well up the league table.

The Cardiff travellers had the edge in the early exchanges. Their pack in particular had scrum advantage by virtue of weight, but once the home front row of skipper James Brute, Joey Jones and man of the match Cellan Skyrme got the measure of the opposition, the home side were always on the front foot.

The opening score came courtesy of a long clearance from fly half Will Lloyd which was pursued successfully by winger Will Powell, also a strong contender for the man of the match award. Powell secured the high ball, made ground and, when tackled on the 22, produced a superb offload which was snaffled up by flying centre Tom Morgan who needed no second invitation, touching down in the corner. Gerwyn Williams nonchalantly added the two points.

The second quarter was not the most memorable period of rugby seen at The Brian Jones Memorial Ground, the referee’s whistle bringing play to a halt all too often. Both sides struggled for continuity and the only scores produced owed much to error in terms of a missed tackle and persistent offside, Llandaff North the beneficiaries on both occasions, the try and penalty taking them to the half time break with a single point lead.

The second half was all Gwernyfed as the visitors tired and the likes of Skyrme, Brute, Tom Lloyd and Sam Stephens made dents in the defensive line. The scrum was in full flight, Andrew Norris and replacement Scott Rees producing heft, and all of the action was in the visitors 22. Pressure told in the end and after a series of five metre scrums looked likely to yield a penalty try. The ref gave the defence one more chance, the outcome a pushover try with influential number eight Lewis Bowen controlling the ball and dotting down.

Further scores looked inevitable and the green, white and blacks went close on several occasions, not least when Johnny Rees touched down only to be inexplicably denied the score. However, it was not long before justice was served. A long clearance by the visitors was collected by scrum half Williams who returned the favour with a ‘50/22’ punt. The line out was secured by Tom Lloyd and from twenty metres the pack emphasised their superiority by delivering an armchair ride for Scott Rees who touched down, Williams completed his contribution by converting.

Llandaff North never gave up and defended against the fourth, bonus-point, try manfully. However, when they did enjoy a period in the home team’s half an opportunity to secure a line out on the five metre line was prevented when prop Cellan Skyrme somehow caught the ball and cleared into touch, showing that it was not only his scrummaging, tackling and robust ball carrying that secured the man of the match title.

The Autumn International games now interrupt the community game for a fortnight with Gwernyfed returning to action in early December when the seniors travel to Llandaff and the Youth XV entertain Ammanford in the last 16 of the WRU Plate.

NO DIVIDEND FROM TRIP TO ‘HELL’

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 11:07:36 GMT

WRU Division 4 East Central

TREHERBERT 34 GWERNYFED 13

Treherbert’s ground, ‘The Cage’, offers an ominous welcome painted on to one of the walls surrounding the pitch – ‘Welcome to Hell’ goes the promise. Gwernyfed have never enjoyed success after the trip over The Rhigos and whilst the threat of damnation was not delivered, James Brute’s men were beaten by a mature, physical side.

From the start, the hosts piled in and it was not long before they had converted their superiority in the tight to points with a try on the right. Gwernyfed ran the ball back and incursions by Rhodri Williams and Tom Morgan caused the application of robust defensive measures which were eventually penalised, allowing Will Lloyd to reduce the arrears with a penalty.

Gwernyfed were right to be aggrieved by having their task made even harder by imposition of a series of largely inexplicable penalties for offences that left the visiting support scratching their heads. Treherbert took full advantage by adding a second try from a rolling maul and though Lloyd again chipped away at the lead with a three-pointer, The green, white and black task became even harder when influential players Tom Morgan and Sam Stephens were injured in a collision. Both had to retire from duty.

The stream of penalties flowed on with the hosts taking full advantage to extend the lead by three points and then go out of sight with two converted tries before the break.

In true Gwernyfed style, the Talgarth men, weakened by injury, gave of their all, a number of players prominent, Zac Snape, front rowers Nicholls, Parry and Brute and replacement Luke Eckley. It was Eckley who added a touch of respectability to the scoreline when taking a quick tap penalty near to the line caused the defence to pull him down within a metre of the restart point, the outcome a penalty try which cancelled out an earlier seven pointer for Treherbert and made second half honours even.

It's been a torrid start to the season for Gwernyfed with the impact of injury when faced with four away games against sides vying for honours. Next weekend sees some respite when the green, white and blacks welcome Nantyglo in the WRU Plate. Coaches Roberts and Reynolds will be looking to use the game to re-set the season’s league campaign.

While the First XV had a less than successful afternoon, at the bottom of the Valley Gwernyfed’s Youth XV visited Sardis Road in the Cardiff North Cup, a tie earned by victories over Brecon, Merthyr Tydfil and Builth Wells Youth XVs in the preliminary rounds. The young green, white and blacks responded to the honour of playing at The House of Pain by returning to Talgarth with a 33-6 victory under their belts. Coaches Richard Davies and Rob Morris were delighted with the performance – if less impressed by the noise in the bus on the way back up the A470!

A TOUGH DAY AT THE OFFICE FOR THE LADIES

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 07:46:07 GMT

WRU Ladies Championship

GWERNYFED 0 BURRY PORT 41

Following two hard fought wins for Gwernyfed teams over the weekend, first with the Youth winning a very close encounter at Builth on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon witnessing victory for the Men’s 1s XV at home to Llantwit Major, Gwernyfed Ladies XV aspired to complete a trio of victories when they played Burry Port at home on Sunday afternoon. It did not, however, prove to be the case, as their opponents galloped to a seven try win by 41 points to nil.

The West Wales opponents proved to be superior in all departments, scoring three tries in the first half and four in the second.

From the outset, Burry Port used their big forwards to run at Gwernyfed’s midfield, with support players able to exploit the resulting gaps in the home side’s defence and the first try was soon scored in the sixth minute. In contrast, Gwernyfed were only able to win limited possession and, with players often static when receiving the ball, their attacks lacked dynamism. Burry Port’s dominance throughout the 80 minutes was only marred by their ill-discipline, as they managed to give away 20 penalties, leading to three yellow cards.

So, its back to the training paddock for the Gwernyfed players, in order to work on ironing out deficiencies and improving performance, ready for their next game.

REWARD FOR ENDEAVOUR

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 07:41:46 GMT

WRU Division 4 East Central

GWERNYFED 32 LLANTWIT MAJOR 24

After a torrid start to the season with four successive away games and some serious injuries, the green, white and blacks returned to The Brian Jones Memorial Field and finally reaped the deserved rewards.

The visitors from the south coast were welcomed by a sizeable crowd basking in the autumn sun. Both sides played their part in an entertaining game that saw the lead change hands four times, the initial plaudits going to the away side who stormed the Gwernyfed line from the kick off and within five minutes established a five point lead.

From the re-start James Brute’s side went on the attack and with the pack delivering good ruck ball and half backs Levi Phillips and Will Lloyd releasing the three-quarters a try looked inevitable, Scramble defence was the order of the hour for the visitors and penalties were inevitable. Uncharacteristically, Gerwyn Williams missed a straight forward chance but that error was recovered when he put another penalty into the corner, from the ensuing line-out and maul Lewis Bowen ploughing over, setting the scene for an excellent afternoon for the re-surgent number eight.

Llanwit Major were never beaten and regained the lead with a try wide out on the right, well converted. That effort was cancelled when ever alert wing Jack ‘Sol’ Williams intercepted a long pass and ran in unchallenged from sixty metres to make Williams’s conversion a formality.

Half time approached with honours even but as excellent referee Alex Yau glanced at his watch some slick handling on the 22 by Will Lloyd and Sam Stephens gave Zac Snape an opportunity that the big man grasped with aplomb to open up a five-point half-time lead.

Williams extended the advantage with a penalty within minutes of the restart but the Gwernyfed faithful can never rest on their laurels and when the visitors struck with two tries, one converted, the rallying call for extra effort in the last quarter rung out loud and clear. The call was answered and the home pack tore into the cause, Chuck Norris, Will Nicholls and Cellan Skyrme using the sword. Joe Jones and Tom Lloyd the rapier. As always skipper Brute led from the front and it was fitting that he was the one to touch down to regain the lead after a series of telling rucks.

Centres Tom Morgan and Rhodri Williams had starred in attack and defence and with the opposition desperately trying to break out of their own half, an error presented the ball to Gwernyfed, swift passing to Williams 25 metres out saw him waltz through the static defence to canter under the posts, allowing Williams a simple two pointer to wrap up a well-deserved bonus-point win, sending a happy throng back to The Old Malthouse in great spirit.

Next weekend sees the visit of Swansea side Penlan to Talgarth in the WRU Bowl. This will be the first game between the sides and coached Roberts and Reynolds will be drilling the green, white and blacks to expect the unexpected.

TRAVEL TALES OF WOE

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 09:21:13 GMT

WRU Division 4 East Central

WATTSTOWN 50 GWERNYFED 17

Seriously weakened by injury and other absences, Gwernyfed travelled down the A470 for their third consecutive away game. Wattstown always offer a fierce welcome and so it proved as the valiant travellers fought to the least but were simply beaten by a better side.

Things started relatively brightly with ten minutes of attack, albeit not much by way of penetration. Centres Tom Morgan and Will Powell made headway but a strong defence denied any real scoring chances. When The home side eventually moved on to the attack, they were awarded a penalty out wide and, quicker of thought, took full advantage, wily half backs putting the open side flanker over.

An exchange of penalties was all that the scoreboard had to show with the clock ticking down to forty minutes and had Gwernyfed held out, a seven point deficit may have set the scene for a better second period. As it happened, with the green, white and blacks on the attack, the ball was stolen and the influential home side’s fly half released a ranging move that outflanked the defence to add seven points to the lead half-time.

The second period proved to be a tale of woe. The coaching team couldn’t blame any one player, every man jack gave of their all, but bad luck with defenders clashing with each other when going for the ball, poor organisation at the ruck and the loss of a couple of foot chases all offered the Rhondda men opportunities which they gobbled up.

To their credit the Talgarth travellers never gave up and tries by Andrew Norris and Tom Lloyd, two whose efforts deserved to see them on the scoresheet, were turned into seven-pointers to bring the slightest semblance of respectability to what was otherwise a debilitating afternoon.

At long last The Brian Jones Memorial Field in Talgarth sees action next weekend. Llantwit Major will be using the A470 to travel north. Skipper James Brute and coaches David Roberts and James Reynolds will be using the week to rally the troops for what is an important game in halting the early season drift.

JUST ONE GASP SHORT

Tue, 27 Sep 2022 07:38:23 GMT

WRU Division 4 East Central

TONYREFAIL 29 GWERNYFED 22

Gwernyfed’s season of travels continued with a lengthy trip to the Rhondda where their exertions fell just short of bringing the reward that their sterling efforts deserved back up the A470.

A bright day and an excellent pitch offered the opportunity for open rugby and green, white and black half backs Levi Phillips and Will Lloyd took full advantage of their pack’s go forward gear, releasing centres Rhodri Williams and Tom Morgan at every opportunity. Wings Zac Snape and Ryan Meredith looked for work and a score looked inevitable, but, as was the case for the full eighty minutes, the referee had other ideas.

After various sorties ended in the award of a defensive penalty, the host finally penetrated Gwernyfed territory and fully capitalised by scoring out wide after a series of rucks, the conversion rubbing salt into the wounds.

Not discouraged, the visiting pack set the scene for further attacks and with front row Will Nicholls, Craig Parry and James Brute in full control of the scrum and Sam Stephens and Lewis Meredith dominating the line out, the chance to equalise was not long in coming. It was Lewis Bowen who set the try up with a rumbustious run down the centre, allowing Phillips to release the backs. The ball travelled at speed through the hands of Lloyd, Snape and Ryan Meredith whose final pass was timed to give full back Gerwu=yn Williams just the opening he loves. His conversion from the touch line re-instated the status quo.

It was all Gwernyfed and when Chuck Norris took the game back to the home defence whose last ditch efforts prevented a score, quick thinking Lewis Meredith picked up from the back of the ruck and ploughed straight through the static opposition to touch down between the sticks, the conversion a formality for Williams as was the penalty that opened up a ten point lead as the half-time whistle blew.

With the breeze and slope at their backs and egged on by a decent crowd, the experienced home side tore into the work in the second half. Staunch defence was needed and delivered but inevitably a hole open here and there and on one such occasion the old heads in the Tonyrefail pack exploited the opportunity. The conversion was swiftly followed by a successful penalty to bring the scores level.

Penalties against Gwernyfed were the order of the day but particularly the order of the second half. The upshot was that the Talgarth men were penned into their own 22 for much of the period. Even successful clearances were regularly penalised for failure to retreat even though Brute’s men certainly applied the ‘once bitten, twice shy’ principle.

The tide was too strong to resist and the last twenty minutes saw the hosts add two tries, one converted to take the game away from Brute’s gallant side. However, they showed their resilience by camping in the home 22 for the last five minutes, their resolve rewarded when young Huw Thompson plunged over for his first senior green, white and black try, securing the bonus point that Gwernyfed more than deserved.

Next week sees yet another trip to the Rhondda when Wattstown, old and robust foes, ar the hosts. Gwernyfed have earned plenty of travel miles rewards in the first month of the season but a repeat of this performance should see those supplemented by league points.

GWERNYFED WIN AT A CANTER

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 13:00:15 GMT

BLACKWOOD STARS 5 GWERNYFED 48

The green, white and blacks trod new territory in their first ever trip to Blackwood Stars in the first of the ‘round robin’ series of the WRU Cup. A six try victory was the reward for the Talgarth men, a win marred by a serious injury to ever-willing utility player Rhys ‘Mole’ Price.

An unfamiliar line-up forced upon Gwernyfed by various absences and injuries saw Levi Phillips moving from the back row to scrum half, regular 9 Gerwyn Williams retreating to 15 and re-arrangements throughout the pack. It made little difference to the outcome, indeed the changes spurred the travellers on, within five minutes Tom Morgan collecting a clearance in his own half and taking full advantage of defensive disarray to run in from fifty metres.

It was the turn of the Gwernyfed pack to turn the screw, front rowers Will Nicholls, Joey Jones and Cellan Skyrme offering scrum half Phillips an armchair ride by delivering solid ball from the scrum, Tom Lloyd and Lewis Meredith winning the line out with aplomb. The Stars’ only remedy was to slow the ball down, a tactic rewarded by a series of penalties, two of which Gerwyn Williams turned to points as part of a faultless, eight out of eight place kicking display.

Further scores were inevitable. From another solid scrum Rhys Price picked up at the base and was unstoppable from five metres out. That effort was soon complemented when a rolling maul, Lewis Bowen and Scott Rees prominent, offered Lewis Meredith opportunity to collect five points. Meredith needed no second invitation.

The twenty-seven point half time lead could have been more, Joey Jones being stopped on the line twice in the last few minutes of the first period. However, with the slope and breeze against them in the second period, stand-in skipper Williams reminded his side that it was vital to deliver a tight start. The green, white and black forwards performed according to script and it was not long before the Talgarth side regained the upper hand, a really slick move initiated by fly half Will Lloyd involving Zac Snape and Rhodri Williams putting the skipper clear for a try out wide – once again converted with aplomb.

Amidst triumph, disaster struck when an innocuous tackle had Rhys Price screaming in agony, players and spectators alike hearing the snap of bone. A lengthy delay had home and visiting physios tending to Price, eventually and carefully placing Price on a stretcher, carrying him to the sideline to await professional medical care.

Price’s injury put rather a dampener on the rest of the game. Blackwood Stars, though well beaten, never gave up and got a consolation try on the hour. However, further tries from Scott Rees and Rhodri Williams extended the winning margin, the fifty-point landmark beckoning in the last minute when Zac Skyrke intercepted in defence, releasing Ryan Meredith whose seventy metre dash was valiantly brought to an end on the line by a Stars defence that never gave up in spite of the clear gap in class and delivery.

The stuttering start to the season sees Gwernyfed return to league duty at Tonyrefail next week while the Youth XV travel to Merthyr for what promises to be an exciting contest. Coach Dave Roberts hopes to have a good complement from which to choose, though serious injuries to Price and Matthew Price (broken shoulder) mitigate against the list being full. The injuries underlining the commitment offered by players week in, week out, putting their bodies on the line for the love of the badge.