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.