Having secured the league title earlier in the week with victory over Bedwellty, this could have been seen by the green, white and blacks as an opportunity to rest on their laurels, writes Peter Weavers.

None of it. With an unbeaten record to defend, local bragging rights at stake and a huge crowd to entertain, Gwernyfed assembled the launch pad for massive celebrations deep into the night with a convincing 12-try victory.

Crickhowell travelled to The Brian Jones Memorial Field missing a number of senior players, including their inspirational leader, Lewis Logan, who has been a key figure in their recent successes. Those who stepped up to the plate lacked nothing in energy or skill, but as the game progressed the confidence and momentum that a memorable, undefeated, season has brought to the Trefecca Road men just wore the visitors down, with eight tries coming in the second half.

The crowd, enjoying two games, Gwernyfed’s Athletic XV taking on league leaders Bedwas Babas on the adjacent pitch, was still streaming in when Gwernyfed took the lead through a Cellan Skyrme try, the front row stealing the limelight when hooker Craig Parry doubled the score.

For a season featuring some wonderful tries from the backs, it was something of a surprise to see the pack also claim the third try of the afternoon, with number eight Lloyd Powell once again illustrating what an impressive young talent graces Trefecca Road.

Normal service was resumed when Ryan Davies ran in the first of his three tries before the break, securing yet another bonus point and opening up a 24-0 lead before the turn around.

Crickhowell didn’t get the breaks that their effort deserved. This fact was exemplified from the restart when a prod through by Joe Winfield looked to be well covered, before the ball played tricks, bouncing off Ryan Davies’s knee into his arms for his second try of the afternoon.

Tries have been more numerous than London buses this term for Gwernyfed, and so it proved again as first Lloyd Powell again and then both of the second-row pair Ollie Rose and Jordan Curran crossed over the whitewash to add to the tally. Yet another Joe Winfield conversion off Curran’s try sailed between the posts to bring up the half century of points.

A man responsible for many of Gwernyfed's tries, breaking through defences with strength, speed, and rugby insight, creating countless opportunities for his teammates, Gethin Davies took matters into his own hands and scored the ninth try.

Jack ‘Sol’ Williams added the tenth try soon afterwards, which was Gwernyfed’s 150th in the league, before the visitors got the reward that their exertions deserved with a try built upon some great work up front.

Gwernyfed were not to be denied their day in the sun, adding Ryan Davies’s hat trick try to proceedings before Gethin Davies closed the tally with a wonderful run which not only generated rapturous celebration but brought up 1,000 points in a tumultuous season for the men in green, white and black.

Joined by the Athletic squad, 29-strong, a sign of the vibrancy of rugby at Trefecca Road, celebrations commenced to the delight of the massed support – and of Gwernyfed’s bar manager and treasurer!

This season has been built upon the shoulders of so many nurturing talented youngsters who have grown into great Gwernyfed men, playing only for the love of their club and the camaraderie which was so evident on this final Saturday of the league season.

Many of the team on the field cite the work put in by the likes of Geraint Skyrme, Rob Morris and Richard ‘Norm’ Daves. Others mention the lads playing some great rugby at youth level thanks to the inspiration offered by Dave Roberts, Gegs Williams and Stu Lewis. There are so many more. Whatever the recipe is at Gwernyfed, it certainly seems to be working.

The weekend was complete when the Gwernyfed Ladies XV returned from Lampeter with a 27-14 victory in the Welsh Championship, with tries from Summer Chick, Ellie Johns, Beth Jones, Leighanne Norman and Becky Rees, the last a 50-metre move of dazzling pace, movement and handling.

Games for the under 17s at Builth, the under 14s, soundly beating Luctonians, and a huge contingent of mini and junior players performing with aplomb at the Monmouth Young Rugby Festival, it was not only a weekend to remember, it was a weekend for the future.

On Wednesday evening at Trefecca Road, Gwernyfed entertain Crumlin to bring the curtain down on the league season. The WRU will be in attendance at this match to present the league trophy and winners’ medals.

Attention will then turn to three cup finals for Gwernyfed. The First and Athletic teams take on, respectively, Seven Sisters RFC on May 10, then the Athletic meet Blackwood Griffins on May 15, both games at Rodney Parade, Newport.

Then on May 31, Gwernyfed Ladies meet Senghenydd RC at Merthyr Tydfil RFC.

Talgarth will be deserted three times!