Gwernyfed secured a bonus point win against RTB Ebbw Vale on Saturday, writes Peter Weavers.

The visitors to Talgarth are top of the division having played more games than the green, white and blacks.

Both sides went over the white line unbeaten in the league this term, but it was Gwernyfed who were the convincing victors, securing an eighth try-scoring bonus from this, their eighth league game.

With inspirational skipper Sam Stephens sidelined by injury, Jack Williams assumed the captain’s armband with Tom Millington pulling on Stephens’s number 7 jersey. From the whistle, Gwernyfed launched a series of attacks to be met by determined defence. It was fully 10 minutes before the visitors got hands on the ball in any meaningful sense, though a combination of strong tackling and a couple of misses at the line-out kept the scoreboard blank.

Gwernyfed maintained the pressure with fly-half Winfield kicking well but, frustrated by some rather officious refereeing, the Talgarth men failed to really threaten the line until the 25th minute. Taking a line-out on the halfway mark, the backs were released. Dylan Skyrme made 20 metres down the right and, when stopped, cousin Cellan drove hard, sucking in defenders. Scrum-half Tom Griffiths was quick to the ruck and the swift hands of Prys Eckley, Winfield and Tyler Morris saw skipper Williams brought down 10 metres out. Like all good eights, Lloyd Powell was on hand to pick up and plough over, taking defenders with him.

A couple of try-scoring opportunities were squandered by Gwernyfed, given which, when presented with a penalty 30 metres out, Winfield’s trusty boot extended the lead to eight, though with half-time approaching that was a poor harvest for the efforts of the home side. A great move out wide rather improved matters. Gethin Davies looped a long pass to Dylan Skyrme 40 metres out. Skyrme sensed that full-back Tyler Morris was coming into the line at pace, his intuition rewarded with a dazzling run and a final, unselfish pass to allow right wing Will Lloyd the five points. Winfield converted from the touchline as the referee’s whistle went for the break.

RTB are some side and even though Gwernyfed had dominated the first period action, the green, white and blacks still had plenty to do. Within five minutes any concern was laid to rest. From the kick-off Cellan Skyrme charged down the attempted clearance and the rebound was fumbled. Gwernyfed took the scrum five metres out, scrum-half Griffiths, given an armchair ride by the pack, snapped the ball to Gethin Davies, a man unstoppable from 10 metres. His touchdown under the posts made Winfield’s work a formality.

Within three minutes the fourth try, securing the bonus point, was a collector’s piece. Gwernyfed took a scrum just outside their 22. When the ball went back to Winfield he spotted that the RTB defence was narrow and launched a kick to the left wing, landing perfectly for skipper Williams to motor in from 50 metres.

With over 30 minutes to go the vociferous home support looked for a landslide. However, RTB Ebbw Vale’s unbeaten record has been hard-earned and the visitors responded with attack led by their pack. A try after a series of mauls offered the first sign of recovery, but stout defence led by Tom Lloyd and Jordan Curran restricted real opportunity. The deficit looked set to be increased when Gethin Davies made a strong run from the halfway line only to be stopped by a marvellous cover tackle. That brought Gwernyfed’s attacking efforts to an end, the remainder of what became a scrappy game, seeing RTB score a second try, again after a host of rucks, just before the referee brought the game to an end with the green, white and blacks worthy victors.

Next weekend involves a trip to Newport where Bettws will be the hosts. There is a big target on the backs of the Talgarth outfit with all opponents keen to be the ones to be first to beat Gwernyfed in their 60th season. The coaching team will have that very much in mind during the lead-up to the game.