Bonymaen 22 Ammanford 8
Spectators were treated to a first class game of rugby at Bonymaen. Both teams went out with the aim to play open fluent rugby and this is what was served up. There was a high standard of rugby from off loads to hard tackling, no more so than those of flanker Jake Guerin, but for both side’s great efforts the half time score was 0-0. The nearest to a try was a fine take in the line by Hedd-Wyn Jones followed by a forceful drive only stopped illegally so costing the home team a yellow card. The strong Bonymaen defence defused the offence. The bad news for Ammanford was that they lost the player of the half, No 8 Gareth Isaac with a knee problem. He was replaced by James Thomas.
The second half started in a similar tempo, Ammanford went on the attack and a weak Bonymaen clearance was taken full advantage of. An inside pass from scrum half Iwan Mainwaring was deftly flicked on by Jones into the waiting hands of centre Andrew Owen who dived over to open the scoring. Full back Ceri Morris was unlucky to hit the upright from out wide, 0-5.
Bonymaen came back strongly and a powerful forward thrust levelled the scores, 5-5. Bonymaen kept up the pressure but a dropped pass was hacked up field by Jones which was gathered by Morris, however his inside pass was snapped up by a defender and within second's play had returned within 5 meters of the visitor’s line. The pace of the game was frenetic. From the scrum the power of the home pack allowed the home No8 to dive over 10-5. Ammanford also lost influential prop Lewys Jonathan.
Ammanford came back positively and gained a 40m penalty which Morris slotted, 10-8. The turning point of the game came when the referee decided to yellow card two Ammanford players in quick succession. Both seemed harsh as winger Dafydd Pritchard was carded for lying on the ball 65m from his own line. He was followed by Jones who was done for handling in the ruck 45m from his own line. Down to 13 men for 6 minutes Ammanford conceded two scores. A catch and drive was moved wide and the extra man allowed the home winger to score in the corner. From the kick off Bonymaen moved the ball fluently through several sets of hands to go 70m for a try by the posts, 22-8.
Back to a full complement Ammanford tried hard to get back into the game but for all their efforts the score stayed the same. With several players missing Ammanford were helped out by Llandovery Youth boys Tomos Davies and Garen Williams who stood up well to baptism in the First Division.
This game was a credit to both sides and Ammanford were unfortunate not to get a losing bonus point having produced what many thought was their performance of the season.
With the International break Ammanford only have one game left in 2017, Bridgend Athletic home on Dec 16th.
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