DIVISION ONE EAST CENTRAL
DOWLAIS ..................... 24 YSTRAD RHONDDA ... 21
DOWLAIS dashed any hopes that Ystrad had in pipping Treorchy for the title with this teriffic win at Blaen Dowlais.
In glorious Dowlais sunshine it looked as if Ystrad were on course for the five points they so desperatley needed to overtake Treorchy for the title.
They soon built up a 14-0 lead with two tries from Mazin Al-Azzawi and two conversions by Jarrad Llewellyn. A penalty for Dowlais by Steve James put Dowlais on the scoreboard, with a yellow card for the Dowlais second row it looked ominous for the home team as Ystrad launched wave after wave of attacks, with the Dowlais 14 defending heroically.
From an Ystrad attack just on half-time, when a try seemed certain for the visitors, a timely interception by wing Cameron Trowbridge on the Dowlais 5m line, showing a clean pair of heels to his opposite number he proceeded to go the length of the field chipping the defending full back picking up the bouncing ball to score a great try right on half-time with Steve James adding the extras to put Dowlais back in the game.
With the half-time score 14-10 to Ystrad, Dowlais had all to play for in the second half.
The second half saw Dowlais put Ystrad under tremendous pressure and with the Dowlais pack on a high causing Ystrad problems in the scrum. A scrum on the Ystrad 5m line had the home pack driving for the line, Ystrad illegally stopping it and the winning of a penalty try, Steve James adding the conversion.
Dowlais now had their tails up and were causing this very good Ystrad side unusual mistakes. Cameron Trowbridge seemed certain to score his second try but he was just ankle tapped by the last defender.
The Dowlais team were now full of confidence and a breakdown of an Ystrad attack saw Lloyd Hynes break the defence and putting Jake Howard in for another teriffic try, Steve James adding the two points. Dowlais were now 10 points clear, but Ystrad showed their mettle and tried to haul Dowlais back, and they scored a good try by Jarrod Llewelyn and he added the conversion to make it a three-point game just like the previous two early games between these two sides.
Dowlais now had to do more sterling work in defence which they did and managed to see the game out in the visitors half for a tremendous win against a top Rhondda side.
It would be remiss to single out any Dowlais player because the whole squad was tremendous, but perhaps Cameron Trowbridge should have a mention for his try on half-time which was the turning point in the game.
The performance of both teams was a credit to Mid District rugby with both teams playing a good style of rugby and a game for the purists.
On Saturday Dowlais travel to champions Treorchy for their final game of the season, the coach leaves at 12.30pm.