The green, white and blacks brought the season to a close with an eleven-try romp, bringing a full-stop to a campaign that brought the Talgarth side within a couple of points of promotion, writes Peter Weavers.

More importantly, the game crowned a great season with performances that encouraged big crowds, home and away, confident that the future looks really bright, based upon a phalanx of young players who have come up through the Gwernyfed mini, junior, youth pipeline.

The result was never in doubt. Within two minutes Cellan Skyrme scored one of his trademark tries, completing a rolling maul in the left hand corner, the try was converted by Gethin Davies from the touchline, one of six such successful efforts that the Hay man delivered in the first half.

Calum Fergusson took a Tom Griffiths pass from the ruck at speed and was unstoppable to double the lead. However, the ‘Stars’ are not a side to let heads drop and they struck back when their active number eight ploughed over.

Tries came with clockwork-style regularity – and with some style as the speed of the Gwernyfed backs, the youngsters orchestrated by yet another display of style and substance from player coach Gareth Dodd. Great hands with the ball moving at speed was all too much for Blackwood and Fergusson, Tom Griffiths and Gethin Davies all took the plaudits with tries, while much was owed to the whole back line and the ever-present back row of Lloyd Powell, Kyle Davies and inspirational skipper Sam Stephens.

The final activity of the half provided a second bookend when Cellan Skyrme took the ball in the open on the left and completed a much-appreciated trip to the line, combining size and swift feet to touch down next to the corner flag. Gethin Davies put the ball through the posts for his sixth conversion, completing a perfect set and opening up a 5-42 half-time lead.

The second period was a carnival of extravagant movement, the green, white and blacks unfettered by promotion pressures showing just what this side is capable of. Right wing Ieuan Thomas was the main beneficiary, the Talgarth man playing his first season of rugby showing his strength and speed when scoring a hat-trick, each try involving a run from outside the 22 that the defence couldn’t stop.

The Stars demonstrated great spirit throughout and were rewarded with a converted try, but Calum Fergusson completed his hat-trick and popular replacement hooker Mark Gwynne also touched down to bring the rugby festival, one appreciated by the healthy travelling support, to a close.

The success of the season at both First and Athletic XV level is owed to so many factors. However, it would be remiss not to highlight the massive contribution and commitment of the coaching team, Gareth Dodd, Richard East, Tomi Lewis and Lee Thomas and physio Dani Clarke. All bodes well for the 2024-25 season at the Old Malthouse.