Ammanford RFC 18 - Dunvant RFC 21
This was not the start that Ammanford were looking for in their first game in Championship West. This was a game, when they look back at it, is a game that they could have and should have won. Ammanford due to long term injuries and other commitments were forced to make several changes, however, the team that was put out had plenty of skill and pace. The opening 20 minutes looked ominous for the home side with Dunvant dominating territory and possession and soon built up a 0-10 lead. Some sharp work by Jay Aden, the Dunvant scrum half, saw him, from a 5m scrum scramble over. The second try came from a pinpoint cross field kick that found the right wing who squeezed into the corner. The referee was very keen on the chest high tackles with penalties flying around left, right and centre. One of these was slotted over to extend the lead to 0-13. Ammanford started to get possession and were spreading the play at every occasion. However, what was to prove to be achilleas heel for the day the final pass was either not given or not taken cleanly. The home supporters were baffled towards the end of the first half when Ammanford’s attack was halted 10m from the line by and attempted interception that was knocked on by the defender. The ref awarded a yellow card but not a penalty try. Outside half Ryan Williams kicked the penalty and the score at the half ended 3-13. Ammanford started the second half as they ended the first, running the ball at all times with centres Kai Richards and Harrison Griffiths making several good carries. Wingers Elis Lewis and Liam Smith looking very sharp. At the end of a flowing move Dunvant only way to stop a certain try was on their line an intentional knock on, this time the referee gave the yellow card and a penalty try, 10-13. Ammanford lost tight head, Steffan Jones, as a result had to go down to 14 men as the scrums became uncontested. This did not hinder the ambitions to move the ball but the final pass was the problem and over the game half a dozen chances were blown. There were some strong carries from Marco Dallavalle and great support work from flankers Cai Davies and Dominic Jones. This time the referee implementing the WRU high tackle law went Ammanford’s way allowing Williams to level the score. With their tails up the home side pushed hard, a 5m scrum was moved left allowing full back Sam Potter to hit the line, go through the gap and score putting Ammanford 18-13 up. An error from the kick off allowed the visitors to get into the home 22. From a lineout 10m out Dunvant drove over to level the score. On several occasions Ammanford would attack wide but it was a day when all the inside passes did not stick with the man in blue and black. Finally a solo effort saw Kai Richards split the home defense but in his effort to reach for the line the referee deemed he had made a double move and awarded the defenders a penalty. Dunvant moved up field and with their final attack of the game were awarded a penalty that concluded the scoring and gave Dunvant the victory, A very enjoyable game to watch but a very frustrating game for the home coaches and players. Next Saturday Ammanford travel to Newcastle Emlyn for their next game.
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