GARW VALLEY

Send Your News To: 01656 513416

Liz.streatfield@gmail.com

Valley Ravens: A huge thank you to Lee Wager of Hillside Gardens in Pontycymer, the managing director of R.T.Brickwork, who very kindly sponsored the Valley Ravens under 8’s squad, kitting them all out with new training tops — Two valleys. Two clubs. One Valley Ravens.

Pontycymer R.F.C. Match Reports: Pantyffynnon 17 V Pontycymer 17.

Pontycymer began

2020 with an opening weekend draw in deepest Ammanford, both sides giving it their all in a blood and thunder encounter. The Pontycymer points came via yet another brace of tries from JamieLeigh Thomas, plus a solo try from powerhouse no.8, Jonny Evans, with Corey Harris firing over one conversion.

Stepping up to the plate for the Garw Valley outfit were Lloyd Webb, Leon Roberts and Chris Wile. Also to catch the eye for the green and amber armada were rugby league stars, Nathan Hawkins and Gareth Howells.

Pontycymmer 21 v

Rhigos 13 - Recently, Rhigos were the visitors to Lawrence Park for this Division Three West Central clash. In front of a vocal festive crowd, it was the visitors that broke the deadlock in the 19th minute with a converted try. This was just the wake up call the Garw Valley side needed, and minutes later powerhouse hooker, Nathan Hawkins bulldozed his way under the sticks from close range, with Gareth Howells adding the extras. Honours were now even at 7-7, and the two evenly matched sides wrestled it out for the remainder of the first half, until, at the stroke of half-time, Ponty’s pacey wing, Jamie LeighThomas hacked a loose ball through, winning the race against his opposite number to cross the line for another top drawer try. Again, Howells slotted over the conversion and at the break it was 14-7 to the green and ambers.

Rhigos started the second half the stronger and, after a brace of penalties, found themselves back in the hunt at 14-13. The visitors continued their battering ram style attack, laying siege to the Pontycymer line, but, in the blink of an eye, the game was put to bed, flying wing Jamie Leigh-Thomas stealing the show with a breathtaking length of the field interception try, replacement pivot, Corey Harris firing over the conversion.

To the fore for the Lawrence Park outfit were no. 8 Jonny Evans, prop Craig Hitchings and full back Richard Howells.

Blaengarw Cricket Club: The South East Wales Cricket Association have recently published the 2020 fixtures for the upcoming summer.

On Saturday, May 2, the opening weekend of the season, Blaengarw C.C. will travel to Hospital Park, where they take on Whitchurch Heath Cricket Club.

More information on Blaengarw Cricket Club winter nets practice will follow in the coming weeks.

Annual Boxing Day Match Report: Llangeinor A.F.C. 4 v Pontycymer R.F.C. 4 (Pontycymer won 3-0 on penalties).

Once again, the annual Boxing Day, Jimmy Walker Halstead Memorial Match proved to be another Christmas Cracker.

Now in its eighteenth year and in front of another huge crowd, both sides adopted a Scrooge like defence as the game went right down to the wire.

After 90 minutes, there was nothing to choose between the two evenly matched sides, but then the Pontycymer goalkeeper, Zack James, stole the limelight, pulling off three outstanding penalty saves to take the spoils.

Huge performances from Pontycymer came from teenage tyro Ellis Major, Scott Hampton and Ethan Steas, whilst for the home side, none caught the eye more than Owen Parry, Jonny Lewis, Geraint Halstead and

Jack Toomey. open 10am-1pm every day for teas, coffees, food, cakes etc.

Also, they have a book swap club where you can have a tea or coffee while picking your books to take home to read and after reading them take them back to swap for some more.

The ladies help out running this voluntary so please go along and support them and the club.

Valley Ravens RFC: Mini & Junior rugby training is already underway for the coming 2019/20 season.

With high numbers in attendance at various age groups, if any child is interested in joining the Valley Ravens, training is every Wednesday, under 6s & 9s is at Ogmore Park, under 13s at the Planka Playing Fields. Both start time 6pm.

Two valleys. Two clubs. One Valley Ravens.

Coffee Morning: Coffee morning at Christchurch Chapel, Corbett Street, Ogmore Vale, on Thursday, January 30, with a cake stall, book stall, china and clothes stalls and raffle etc.

It will be from 9.30am10.45am and admission is free. All welcome.

Blackmill Over-50s: Blackmill Over-50s meet at the Local Community Centre on Wednesday evenings at 7pm, always glad to welcome new members.

This is a social gathering and occasionally a trip to the theatre or a meal out is arranged.

Nantymoel Knitters:

We meet twice a week at Dinam Close every Tuesday and Friday from 10am-noon.

We are always looking for new members and all our efforts are to make things for charity.

If there is anyone who has any spare wool they do not want, we would be very grateful to receive it.

Your News: Please remember to send any news or information to me by 10.30pm on the Wednesday each week. Email gazette@ ogmore-vale.co.uk or call 01656 760 640.

Eucharist, 10.30am.

Third Sunday of the month – Said Holy Eucharist 8.30am, followed by Morning Prayer, 10.30am.

Fourth Sunday of the month – Holy Eucharist, 10.30am.

Fifth Sunday of the month – Benefice Eucharist at 10.30am, followed by lunch.

Call the Rev Anthony Beer on 01656 859 487.

Smyrna Chapel Services: A traditional Sunday school service in Smyrna Chapel, Penyfai, always starts at 10.30am and the evening services take place in Smyrna Chapel starting at 6pm.

There is a coffee morning every Tuesday in the Smyrna Chapel vestry from 10am12noon where stalls of produce are also on offer.

Bible studies take place on Thursdays at 7.15pm and are led by Marlyn James and Dorothy Evans. Newcomers are always welcome.

Community Council:

The Newcastle Higher Community Council has a large agenda after the Christmas Holiday period and the start of the New Year 2020, and it is hoped the new Police Community Support Officer for Penyfai and Aberkenfig will be attending with updated information on policing matters in Penyfai, Court Coleman, Aberkenfig and Tondu

Penyfai History: Looking through old documents and census papers of 1851 and 1861, that show more of the history of Penyfai and Court Colman and the people who lived in the farms in Penyfai, Court Colman and Angelton, including my own family members, the parish is known as Newcastle.

In 1861 Ton Gwin

Farm Court Colman was a working Farm with a farm house, the farm house is now a burnt out shell, 1861 the tenant farmer Thomas Powell, has a large family of sons & daughters, Thomas Powell is deceased

When his daughter Jane Powell married John David in Hermon Chapel Bridgend, the minister is William John a relative of mine, the couple then lived in Swansea, their son Walter Powell David became a solicitor in Walter P David & Snape Solicitors Bridgend & Porthcawl

Penyfai W I: The Penyfai Branch of the WI meet at 7.30pm on the third Monday of each month at the Penyfai Church in Wales Primary School, The Women’s Institute