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.