WRU Division 4 East

Report by Peter Weavers

The green, white, and blacks, led by Jack Williams, headed to the Sirhowy Valley with two main objectives: to keep their promotion push on track and deliver a strong performance ahead of next weekend’s WRU Cup semi-final against Neyland. Mission accomplished.

Gwernyfed had overwhelmed Pontllanfraith in Talgarth back in September, and the hosts fared no better on their own turf. A rampant Gwernyfed ran in 14 tries, with fly-half Joe Winfield impeccably converting 11.

It didn’t take long for the rot to set in, albeit in the unlikely form of a Cellan Skryme sidestepping try from rather further out than is normally the case for the reliable prop. Props were to the fore in the early stages with Prys Eckley going over for the second five-pointer as a reward from some great support play. Eckley’s try saw Gwernyfed pass the 500-point mark in the league campaign so far – in only the 11th game!

The backs regained the spotlight with right wing speedster and Gwernyfed director Will Lloyd claiming another hat-trick before half-time as well as feeding skipper Williams when threatening a fourth score, Williams needing no second invitation.

The scoreboard ticked towards the half century when Lloyd Powell proved to be unstoppable and though the hosts had managed a score, at 49-7 as the second period started, Pontllanfraith’s chances had disappeared.

The resumption helped little. The sight of Gethin Davies in full flight has most defences in disarray and this was no exception. Davies scored twice, as did fellow centre Dylan Skyrme. The forwards made their mark throughout and got on the scoresheet again by way of replacement Rhys Price, but the speedsters had the final say courtesy of skipper Williams again and replacement scrum half Luke Eckley. Winfield completed the scoring by converting Eckley’s try before the whistle.

While the First XV had rather a walk in the park, Jamie Coles’s Athletic XV battled against a bulky Abersychan Alexander team in the Ivor Jones Cup at Trefecca Road. The visiting pack just had the better of things up front, scoring tries from close range to secure a 23-17 win in a game that could have gone either way.

There will be a mass exodus next weekend, with the Athletic squad joining the First XV in their journey to Newcastle Emlyn, the neutral venue for the semi-final against Pembrokeshire side Neyland RFC. The clubs have never met before, adding another facet to what will be an exciting afternoon.