Nantyffyllon 22 Ammanford 29
Ammanford travelled to Nantyffyllon with a 100% record and top of the league. However,
they were expecting a tough game as Nanty were also playing well and the visitors were
forced to make 6 changes from the previous weeks victory over Birchgrove. Ammanford
started well but unfortunately they blew a couple of try scoring chances. Things were not
helped when scrum half Jonny Evans was forced off with an injury after 20 min and flanker
Cian Trevelyan had to take over at scrumhalf for the remainder of the game.
Ammanford with their recent successes had the confidence to play flowing rugby although
the small, narrow Nanty pitch is not conducive to this. After some fluent play fullback Liam
Smith shot through the defence to score the first of his tries. He followed this up soon after
by stepping several home defenders going over for his second, outside half Ryan Williams
converted both to giving the visitors a 0-14 lead. The home team came back to reduce the
lead to 10-14 at the half.
The visiting pack stood up well to the bigger home team. Second row Carwyn Bebb stood
out well in the lineout and the front row led well by hooker Rhodri Jones were solid in the
scrums.
Two more tries came Ammanfords way during a free flowing second half. The first was
scored by the energetic flanker Carwyn Morris. A powerful run, brushing defenders aside
saw Morris power over. The home team stayed in the game and were soon back on the
scoreboard. Reducing the Ammanford lead to 15-19. The visitors fourth and bonus point
try came when young centre Kai Richards burst through, Williams converted extending the
lead to 15-26.
The last 15 min of the game became a little farcical. The referee decided that the visitors
needed some control. He yellow carded an Ammanford player, he then in one passage of
play he yellow carded two more Ammanford players, one for a high tackle and one for not
rolling away, unusual!. This left the visitors to play the last 8 minutes with 12 players.
Nantyffyllon took full advantage reducing the lead to 22-26. Ammanford managed to get
their hands on the ball and controlled the last few minutes. Nantyffyllon were penalised
and Williams slotted the longrange penalty to ease the pressure. From the kick off
Ammanford controlled the play, running down the clock and winning the game 22-29.
This was a very strong performance from the team on the day squad and showed the depth
in the squad.
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