‘FERA STRIKE A CRUCIAL BLOW

YSTALYFERA struck what could be a crucial blow in the One West Central title race as they put an end to Glynneath’s perfect league record by defeating them 16-3 to go into the new year top of the pile.

Jack O’Reilly got things off to the perfect start for Glynneath as he fired them ahead with a well-taken penalty, but that was cancelled out by a three-pointer from Steff Castle.

Ystalyfera captain Steffan Jones led by example as he crashed over for the game’s only try after the break, with Castle adding the extras from the tee.

Castle then sealed the win with two additional penalties that sent his side top as they also avenged their only league defeat of the campaign so far, which came at the hands of Glynneath, 21-6, back in September.

“It was is a massive result from our point of view,” said Ystalyfera team manager Damian James.

“We dominated them up front and behind really, scored a couple of nice tries and it was a deserved win. I don’t think they’ll have any complaints that we were the better side on the day.

“To stop them scoring a try was a massive effort from us as well and, to be honest, they didn’t really look like crossing the whitewash.”

Both sides have now won nine out of 10 this season but James said Ystalyfera will be taking nothing for granted as they gear up for the battles ahead.

He continued: “Both sides came out and said Saturday’s game would have a bearing on the league, but there’s still a long way to go.

“We’ve got still a massive hill to climb and have a lot of tough away games between now and the end of the season, Bonymaen being one of the biggest.

“It’s an open league and anything can happen and we’ve got to keep our eye on the ball every game now.

“We’ve got Tondu away on Saturday and that’s not going to be easy, it never is down there.

“We had a good result against them last season (39-11) so that got the monkey off our backs coming away from there because we generally haven’t had good results against them.

“At the moment we’re in a good position and are confident.”

Glynneath will look to get back to winnings as they welcome Bonymaen, who are six points off the summit in third place, with all three sides having played 10 matches.

Bonymaen, who have lost twice in the league so far, beat bottom side Waunarlwydd 20-10 on Saturday to make it eight wins out of 10.

Elsewhere in the division, Brynaman beat Ammanford 21-17 to complete a league double over them, while Tondu should be buoyed ahead of their clash with Ystalyfera after winning 19-17 at near-neighbours Kenfig Hill.

Harri Davies and Anthony Buselli touched down for Skewen to help steer them to an 18-10 home win over Aberavon Quins. Buselli also kicked a conversion and two penalties.

Meanwhile, a strong contender for the result of the weekend came in the shape of Morriston who, rock bottom of Two West Central and without a win all season, pulled off a stunning 30-14 victory over previously unbeaten league leaders Birchgrove.

Back-rower Dexter Hadley, centre Richard Huxtable and scrum-half Gareth Thomas crashed over for the Monkeys, while full-back Andrew Williams chipped in with 15 points from the tee.

Birchgrove, who were without their regular back-row and influential scrum-half Rob Scrines, had a penalty try and Lee Harris on the scoresheet, with Harris converting his own score.

“We were the better side,” said Morriston secretary Huw Roberts. “We’ve played reasonably well all season but we just haven’t had the luck.

“We should have won a few more games than we have but, hopefully, this is the turning point in the season for us now.

“I think we won eight out of nine, including seven on the trot, towards the end of last season so hopefully it’s the same this year.”

The result for Morriston, who had drawn one and lost seven of their previous eight matches, lifted them off the bottom of the table and above Cwmavon, who only took a losing bonus point at home against Taibach as they lost 11-8.

Morriston also have a game in hand on Cwmavon, while the win for Taibach, only their second of the season, moved them up to ninth.

At the other end of the Two West Central table, Resolven moved to within two points of leaders Birchgrove after beating Seven Sisters 3117.

No. 8 Ashley Morgan, wing Kyle Jones, outside centre Joel Healey and replacement Dai Felton got the tries.

Fly-half Owen Evans landed four conversions and a penalty for Resolven, who also have a game in hand.

Nantyffyllon beat Porthcawl 28-8 with the help of tries from Andrew John, prop Kieron Griffiths and scrum-half Jonny Phillips. Fly-half Tadhg McGuckin kicked two conversions and three penalties.

Elsewhere, Ryan Davies nailed a penalty with the last kick of the match to send Nantymoel to a 20-17 home win over Pencoed, while a try from Curtis Davies and eight points from the boot of Liam Harris helped Ystradgynlais earn a 13-13 draw at Builth Wells.

Three West Central A leaders Abercrave crashed to 12-7 home defeat against mid-table Cwmgors.

Johnny Hills and Dylan Hills got the tries for Cwmgors, with Paul Davies converting the latter.

Pyle, who were not in action, are five points back with three games in hand.

Aberavon Green Stars were 31-12 winners over Tonmawr and are eight points behind Abercrave, also with three games in hand.

Bryncoch were 56-3 home winners against Neath Athletic.

In Three West Central B, Baglan moved level on points with Cwmllynfell at the top after inflicting a crushing 60-0 home defeat on basement boys Briton Ferry.

Scrum-half Gavin Hooper, prop Kidwelly scrum-half Alex Davies puts in a kick against Llanelli Wanderers on Saturday. Visitors Kidwelly won the One West fixture 8-6.

Pictures: Phil Davies Chris Hunt and outside centre Ryan Compton all crossed twice, with wings Camden Purchase and Chris Wilde, lock Dewi Williams and inside centre Dan Blethyn the other tryscorers. Blethyn added five conversions.

Cwmllynfell, who didn’t play, now have a game in hand.

Pontrhydyfen defeated Alltwen 143, Banwen bagged the spoils with a 28-14 triumph at Rhigos, and Bryncethin were 16-8 home victors against Cefn Cribwr.

Three West Central C leaders Penygroes drew 21-21 at Pantyffynnon while Furnace United won 32-10 at Cwmtwrch.

Penygroes lead the way with 44 points from 12 games while Furnace and Pantyffynnon, who both have two games in hand, are nine and 13 points back respectively.

South Gower won the Gower derby 15-3 at bottom club Fall Bay in Scurlage, while Pontardawe edged out Tonna 22-20.