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.