Ammanford RFC 30 Waunarlwydd 23 (From South Wales Guardian)

Ammanford RFC 30 Waunarlwydd 23

9:00am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in Sport

Division 1 West 

A YOUTHFUL Ammanford team produced a performance of flowing rugby and pantomime errors to entertain a large crowd enjoying the autumn sunshine.

Ammanford survived an early onslaught from the visitors and were first on the scoreboard with a penalty from Rhydian Morris. The visitors responded quickly with a try by Lee Evans, who capitalised on an error in midfield and won the kick-chase to the line.

Ammanford retrieved the ball from the restart and centre Dylan Morgan glided through to create space for on-fire wing Gary Stephens, who raced in to score an excellent try. Rhydian Morris converted.

The remainder of the first half was dominated by Ammanford and they were unlucky not to add to their lead.

The pack matched their opponents in every quarter, providing the dangerous backs with a steady flow of possession,Emyr Price and RyanWilliams prominent.

Ammanford started the second half with purpose and were soon on the attack and asking questions of the visiting defence.

Froma scrum on their own 10 metre line the ball was neatly switched back to Gary Stephens whose blistering pace took him through the defensive line and up to the 22. The ball was taken on by Dylan Cooper before being recycled for Mike Evans to score.

Waunarlwydd reduced arrears with a Josh Hammett penalty but Ammanford were again threatening.

Denied a scoring opportunity with the opponents killing the ball, outside half Rhydian Morris took a quick penalty and stole in for the third try to make it 20-8.

Replacement full-back Chris Moore fielded a kick ahead and surged back upfield, creating havoc in the Waunarlwydd defence. Ammanford retained possession and drove on towards the visitors’ line before moving the ball out wide for Chris Moore to score a well deserved debut try, converted by Rhydian Morris and it was 27 – 8.

Then the pantomime season kicked in and in what is becoming a weekly occurrence Ammanford took their foot off the gas and through a combination of basic errors, lapses of concentration and tired legs allowed the opponents a late foothold in a game which should have been won at a canter.

The visitors scored three tries in a ten-minute period. The first by hooker Matthew Wedlake was a free stroll from the front of a line-out; the second by centre S Fletcher finished off a counter-attack when Ammanford failed to clear and the third was by Guy Jones. Fortunately Hammett failed to convert.

Ammanford, to their credit, responded and again looked for scoring opportunities to seal the match.

A neatly struck drop-goal by Rhydian Morris extended the lead and Ammanford held on to secure a confidence-building victory. They may, however, rue the bonus points handed on a plate to the visitors.

Good performances from Stephens, Mike Evans and the pack in general but especially man-of-the-match Emyr Price.

Next Saturday Ammanford are away at Aberavon Quins.