Neck injury bring early end to game

PONTYPOOL’S Championship clash against Ystalyfera was abandoned at half-time after a player suffered a serious neck injury.

Ystalyfera’s Arwel Thomas sustained what looked like a serious neck injury after falling awkwardly attempting to take an up and under. The decision was taken to call an ambulance, with Thomas having to wait three hours for paramedics to arrive.

“It was a very unfortunate incident,” said Ystalyfera team manager Damien James.

“He went to take an up and under and fell awkwardly as a result. He has been taken to the hospital as a precaution so hopefully it is not as bad as it looks.

“Safety comes first especially with neck injuries, and both sides agreed it was the right thing to do to call the game off. We are just hoping he makes a speedy recovery.

“It’s obviously never nice when you see a player injured in that matter, especially a friend, but both sides were excellent in dealing with the matter.”

At that stage Pontypool held a 7-0 lead after Sam Scarfe had sliced through the Ystalyfera defence for the only try, with Matthew Jarvis adding the extras. But the game was halted prior to half-time as Thomas received treatment. The original plan was to play a longer second-half to make up for lost time, but

Elsewhere, in Division One East Central a try from Morgan Jones helped Mountain Ash to a crucial away victory over Cambrian Welfare which solidifies their position at the top of the table. Treorchy thrashed Rhiwbina 80-8, while St Peters comfortably beat Rhydyfelin 31-17 away from home.