Scores:
Ystalyfera: 11
Try
Penalties: 14 Damian James (2)
Dunvant:27
Tries: 11 Morgan Evans, 15 Mitchell Ford, 9 Aled Lewis, 4 Jamie Nicholas
Conversions: 9 Aled Lewis, 20 Adam Williams-Parry
Penalty: 9 Aled Lewis
Half Time: Ystalyfera 3 Dunvant 8

This was a typical winter game of rugby in the valleys, the local community club, basic field and facilities, tin sheds around the field for the supporters but plenty of guts, determination and heart & soul from a side struggling with life in Division 1 with 2 wins from 9 played. Ystalyfera are used to winning having finished high in Division 3 South West for many a season and running away with the league last season losing only one game, to find themselves promoted two levels to Division 1 West Central in the league restructure. This is a big ask but they are giving it everything they have got for the full 80 minutes.
Ystalyfera had worked hard to get the pitch playable after the incessant rain but inevitably it was a rain sodden muddy pitch offering little in the hope of running rugby.
Dunvant kicked off down the slope but into a strong breeze, and it was a dour first half kicking game with Fera booting everything coming at them back up field. Fera had their first chance to score two minutes after kick off when having booted the ball to our 22, Dunvant were pinged for not releasing but Fera outside half Gareth James failed with the kick at goal. The next chance went to Dunvant who kicked a penalty to touch for a lineout on the 22, but Fera turned the ball over and belted it back up field. Dunvant’s first direct kick at goal came on 35 minutes but Richard Lewis was well wide, but almost immediately a break by scrum half Aled Lewis supported by lock Jamie Nicholas saw the ball worked out to winger Morgan Evans to just get over in the left hand corner to score. Richard Lewis’ conversion attempt from the touchline failed in the strong wind but Dunvant were in front by 0-5.
On 40 minutes Dunvant scrum half Aled Lewis kicked a penalty for 0-8, but in added time Fera winger Damian James brought the score back to 3-8 with a successful penalty kick.
Fera restarted the second half and on 45 minutes a penalty on our 22 was kicked to touch for a lineout, set up a rolling maul which the pack pushed Dunvant all the way back on over the line to score, converted by Damian James to level the scores at 8-8. To the excitement of the ‘Sheddies’ who had finally woken up, Fera took the lead on 53 minutes with another penalty kick by Damian James for 11-8 and Dunvant needed to respond which they did in style. First a break started by Aled, extended by winger Tom Davies opened a gap for full back and Captain Mitchell Ford to score in the right hand corner, Aled’s conversion kick looked good but hit the crossbar and bounced off but Dunvant were back in the lead at 11-13.
Ystalyfera were stirred into replying and some strong play from their pack and keeping the ball in hand was proving effective but Dunvant turned eventually turned over the ball and a terrific break by Jamie Nicholas who passed to Aled in support who was able to run in to scor ,and get the conversion for 11-20. On 75 minutes, Fera were awarded a penalty on our 10 metre line with 10 metres added for backchat making an easier kick to bring Fera within 7 for a losing bonus point but James’ kick failed.
Finally, with the game moving into added time. Dunvant hooker Robbie Morris in his first game back from a horrible knee injury made a great break through the middle and lock Jamie Nicholas in support was able to run in under the posts for a try bonus point, Adam Williams-Parry converting for a final score of 11-27 which moves us up into 5th place. Next week, Dunvant 1st XV home game against Skewen is postponed as Skewen are in Swalec Plate Round 4 action so our next game is Waunarlwydd away on 24th. For the second weekend running there is no rugby at Broadacre next Saturday (how can you keep clubs going with schedules like that so our only game is Dunvant 2nd XV away at Gorseinon so it would be great to see all our supporters travelling the short distance to Gorseinon.

Dunvant team:
Backs: 15 Mitchell Ford (Capt.), 14 Tom Davies, 13 Sam Crowley, 12 Tom Williams, 11 Morgan Evans, 10 Richard Lewis, 9 Aled Lewis
Forwards: 1 Ryan Shoemark, 2 Robbie Morris, 3 Sam Martin, 4 Jamie Nicholas, 5 Nathan Vaughan, 6 Adam Gregory, 7 Rhys Tucker, 8 Mark Loughlin
Replacements: 16 Carwyn Williams, 17 Hayden Baldwin, 18 Jordan Jackson, 19 Matthew Dodd, 20 Adam Williams-Parry

Match Official: Colin Kirkhouse

Results for Saturday 10th January
Swalec League Division 1 West Central
Bonymaen 41 Waunarlwydd 10
Builth Wells 0 Kenfig Hill 3
Mumbles 28 Skewen 32
Seven Sisters 32 Cwmllynfell 22
Trebanos 14 Maesteg Quins 13
Ystalyfera 11 Dunvant 27

Swansea District Vaughan Sound Cup
Bonymaen W/O v Vardre
Bryncoch v Dunvant- match postponed
Loughor 37 Pontarddulais 3
Penlan w/o v Gowerton
Skewen 22 Morriston 7
Cwmgors W/O v Swansea University
Ystradgynlais 15 Waunarlwydd 28

Ospreys OE Youth League
Gorseinon 0 Gowerton 44
Pontarddulais v Morriston
South Gower 27 Dunvant 7
Vardre 0 Birchgrove 17