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WHITLAND
21 YSTRAD RHONDDA 19
After
match pics (click on slideshow)
Coaches
Alan Roberts & Mike Griffiths came away from Whitland
last Saturday hugely impressed that their team gave an excellent
account of themselves against a seasoned Division One side
& although they were beaten by a last minute try the
performance suggested Ystrad can go into their first league
game versus UWIC this Saturday with a high level of confidence.
Both teams treated the crowd to a brand of open rugby &
despite Whitland scoring a converted try virtually from
the kick off it was Ystrad who had the lion's share of possession
in the opening quarter, the forwards gelling particularly
well & gaining the upper hand over their bigger opponents.
Coach Griffiths produced a rare smile when Thomas Hetherington,
playing in the unfamiliar hooker position, hit the target
from a 10 yard lineout & it was Hetherington who guided
his pack over the line from the resulting driving maul for
their first try, outside half Wayne Jervis adding the extra
points.
The visitors should have added another try when fit again
centre Gareth Pugh showed his class by running a good angle
off Jervis to glide through the Whitland defence only for
the final pass to go astray.
Pugh's friend & former Tonyrefail colleague Geraint
Shalton had fine debut at full back, Shalton setting up
Ystrad's second try by showing quick hands which allowed
the ball to be kept alive, number eight Dai Owen also prominant
& gave a try scoring pass to versatile prop John Watkins
to go in at the break 12-14.
All twentythree Ystrad players did their club proud with
the Whitland Chairman stating after the game he thought
Ystrad were robbed of the win which looked on the cards
when another fine attacking move where prop Neil Jones &
back row forward Hywel Stoddart were heavily involved resulted
in the referee awarding a penalty try to take the valley's
outfit into a 19-14 lead.
In fairness to Whitland they showed good resolve battling
to the end & a try out wide gave their outside half
the opportunity to seal a hard fought win.
Prominent for Ystrad were props Craig Griffiths, John watkins
& Neil Jones, hooker Thomas Hetherington looks to be
adapting well to his new position as hooker, last year's
player of the year Nathan (Scooby) Hughes also stood out
as did back row men Dai Owen, Hywel Stoddart & Neil
Walker. Of the backs Wayne Jervis & Dylan Jones controlled
the game well at outside half, Gareth Pugh looked back to
his best in the centre & wide men Chris Harris &
Geraint Shalton put in accomplished performances which bodes
well for the new challenge of Division One rugby.
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