Swalec Plate – First Round

Ammanford 27 Brynamman 16

Ammanford entertained Brynamman for the first time in many years with nearly all the players never having previously played in a derby between the two valley sides.

The visitors started the brighter with the home team missing tackles and dropping balls. From a knock-on under their posts Ammanford conceded a penalty which Brynamman outside-half Craig Jones calmly slotted over.

The hosts responded positively and, after slipping out from the midst of a ruck, scrum-half Aled James delivered a delightful back-of-the-hand pass which wrong-footed the entire Brynamman defence to hooker Ryan Williams, who was able to canter home unimpeded.

However, from the restart Ammanford dropped the ball and picked up while offside to hand the visitors another penalty and a 6-5 advantage.

Brynamman’s confidence grew and pressure on the home line resulted in a yellow card for wing Ceri Rees.

The visitors took full advantage and wing Owain Sullivan scored in the corner to give Brynamman an 11-5 lead.

Following Rees’ return to the field, it was the visitors who found themselves a man short when Jones was yellow-carded.

Ammanford exploited the gap and a well-placed cross-field kick put wing Gary Stephens in to score in the corner. A superb touchline conversion put Ammanford into a 12-11 half-time lead.

After the interval, Ammanford before to dominate and Williams, hit the perfect angle at pace to crash over under the posts for his second try.

Morris converted to extend the hosts’ lead to 19-11.

Brynamman continued to work hard but failed to make any real in-roads into the Ammanford defence.

A couple of long-range penalties from Owen the secure the result – and Ammanford’s place in the second round.

Ammanford return to league action when they travel to Newcastle Emlyn on Saturday.