Gwernyfed Athletic 22 Risca 19.

GWERNYFED Athletic entertained their Risca namesakes in a top of the table clash in Division One of the Gwent, Newport and Pontypool League and secured an important victory.

With the visitors having won the League every season since its inception five years ago, this result could well see the mantle of champions passing to the men from Talgarth.

Risca started the game at a furious pace, intent on imposing their superiority, and the first 25 minutes were played almost totally in the Gwernyfed 22.

The visitors spurned a number of kickable penalties as they battered the home try line, but Gwernyfed responded with great resilience. Tackling was the priority, with the whole team responding well, although the kamikaze Jules Tunnicliffe was always prominent.

Risca eventually crossed for a deserved converted try in the 25th minute but veteran home outside half Gareth Dodd then proceeded to make a match winning contribution, as he racked up all twenty-two points for the home team.

Starting with a 28th minute penalty, five minutes later he made a midfield break to gallop 40 yards to secure a try under the posts which he duly converted, following this up with a second penalty. Against the run of play, Gwernyfed found themselves in the lead but, just before half time, Risca reasserted their authority with two tries, one of which was converted, so that they led 19-13 at the break.

The second half saw the tables turn, as Gwernyfed increasingly gained possession and strong running by Kieron Jones, Owen Humphries and, inevitably, Tom Powell broke the Risca defence but, frustratingly, no tries were forthcoming.

Instead the only scores in the second half came from Dodd’s boot, as he kicked three penalties, two of which were huge fifty yard specialities. Gwernyfed then spent the last quarter of an hour defending their narrow lead in a further test of their defensive qualities, the final whistle being greeted with a mixture of relief and elation.