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Treherbert 12 Ystrad Rhondda 26
Ystrad
are on the brink of a return to Division One after a hard
fought local derby win at the hands of close rivals Treherbert.
But it wasn't until the second half that the lower valley
side took control with supporters citing a tough week in
which the away team beat Abercynon & Tredegar for a
somewhat lethargic first half by Ystrad standards.
That said Treherbert did well to disrupt Ystrad's style
of play & were deserving of their early seven point
advantage when they scored from a lineout catch & drive
which outside half Gareth Roberts angled over the conversion.
Treherbert were bordering on taking the law into their own
hands & could have been penalised for one of a number
of infringements when a lineout take by skipper Chris Hanly
resulted in a promising Ystrad drive which was illegally
thwarted, outside half Wayne Jervis kicking the penalty
& adding another prior to full back Dylan Jones having
to leave the field with a knee injury & prop Paul Dunning
with shoulder damage, replaced by Ben Daniels & Neil
Jones respectively.
Jervis registered the second half's first points in the
way of a penalty, Treherbert full back Ceri Skym shown a
yellow card for his side constantly infringing.
With gaps starting to open when the ball was spread wide
wing Dan Hitchins seized the opportunity to show his pace,
gathering the ball from a clearance kick & rounding
two defenders before linking up with centre Gerwyn Davies
who found flanker Neil Walker & second row Nathan Hughes
in support, a well timed inside pass to wing Dean Jones
by Hughes allowed Jones to draw the last man & send
Walker under the posts. Jervis converted.
Ystrad's fitness was a telling factor for the last quarter
& though Treherbert played with a good attitude throughout,
Skym having a fine game at full back & centre Liam Phillips
constantly testing the Ystrad defence, the away team controlled
several phases & quick ball by replacement scrum half
Ben Daniels saw Jervis' wide pass put centre Gerwyn Davies
on the outside of his man & race clear for Jervis to
convert.
Treherbert dug deep & were rewarded for their efforts
with a try Roberts just failed to convert.
Jervis sealed the win with a further penalty which keeps
Ystrad on course for a league & cup (Mid District) double.
Coaches Roberts & Griffiths were naturally pleased with
the away win especially at the end of a hard week &
mentioned in the post match talk how well hooker John Watkins
acquitted himself in an unfamiliar position of tight head
prop & all at the club wish injury victims Dunning &
Jones a speedy recovery.
This Saturday sees the visit to Gelligaled park of Rhydyfelin
Ko 14.30
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