League One West Central

Skewen 11 Ammanford 6

THE top of the table clash between Skewen and Ammanford lived up to its expectations in one of only two League One West Central fixtures to have survived the conditions.

Travelling to Skewen, the Ammanford squad were left wondering how the game could possibly be played considering the weather, but the pitch was in great condition and the only down side was the very strong cross wind.

Both teams were at almost full strength, though Ammanford were missing tight head Rhodri Jones, who suffered a concussion during last week’s dominant victory over Seven Sisters.

In Jones’ absence, Lewis Jonathan moved over from the loose head and scrummaged manfully throughout.

However, Skewen were slightly stronger in both scrum and lineout and the advantage was enough ultimately to make the difference.

The hosts started on the front foot, pushing Ammanford back into the corner and it took some quality defence, led by Steff Rees with some big hits, to keep them out.

It took Ammanford 15 minutes to get a foothold in the game as they slowly managed to put together some good passing despite the conditions.

The first took 25 minutes to get on the board when Skewen pressure from a driving lineout earned the home side a penalty which they converted for a 3–0 lead.

They maintained the pressure and again the visitors needed great defensive work and a turnover to relieve the pressure.

From a driving lineout Skewen’s open side got a little carried away and earned himself a yellow card for stamping.

Ammanford’s best phase of the half came in the last 10 minutes when some fine phases won a penalty. Rhydian Morris stepped up to slot the points and the half finished 3–3.

The second half started badly for the visitors when a mistake from the kick off put Ammanford on the back foot and, with the home scrum adding pressure, it took disciplined defence to keep the scores level.

Ammanford regained their composure and turned the home centre over on his own 22 as he tried to run out of defence.

The visitors were able to move the ball through several pairs of hands as they went looking for a gap and the home No8 was carded for killing the ball under the posts.

Morris slotted the points to put the blue and blacks three points in front, but the lead was shortlived as Skewen bounced back and from a pressure scrum won a penalty to bring matters back to all square.

Despite the conditions worsening, the quality of play remained high and there were strong carries and big hits from both sides, and in between there was some first class ball handling.

Skewen cranked up the pressure late on and from several pick-and-drives squeezed over in the corner for the game’s only try to make it 11–6.

Ammanfords fitness showed as they battled back strongly in the last five minutes, exerting great pressure on the home line as they went in search of the score needed to level things up once more.

The home flanker was carded for a second time, and Ammanford could and should have scored but the crucial final pass was too difficult to take under the conditions.

However, the result was ultimately the right one with the league-leading hosts proving slightly the stronger.

Ammanford remain in second and welcome lowly Builth Wells to the Rec next Saturday.