Fixture

SWALEC Bowl

Penybanc – 7

Tylorstown – 11

Tylorstown travelled down West and came away with a hard fought victory against Penybanc near Ammanford. Tylorstown can thank young centre Sam Davies for a match saving tackle on the stroke of full time to take Tylorstown into the next round.

This was a very tight affair and Tylorstown played well against a very committed home side who had very talented half backs.

Tylorstown started really well and were camped between the Penybanc try line and 22 metre line for almost all the first quarter. Scrum half Liam Morris kept the ball tight in an effort to suck in close defenders. Second rows Craig Miles and Robert Hemming showed up well in this period along with prop Aiden O’Donaghue. The home side defended well and weathered the storm. Tylorstown came away with no points on the scoreboard until later in the first period when outside half Michael Melhuish kicked a penalty.

As the first half came to an end Penybanc were keen to run at the Tylorstown backs and keep the ball away from the dominant Tylorstown forwards. Strong tackling by the away backs, notably Melhuish and full back Rhys Tyler, kept the home side at bay.

In truth the second half became quite scrappy and Tylorstown went down to 14 men when substitute Second Row Lukke Rees was shown a yellow card and Tylorstown seemed to lose their way.

Crucially the excellent Tylorstown line out held firm. Hooker Jamie Davies again produced an effective performance. Number 8 Dai Hefford, Miles and captain Chris Lloyd were peerless in the line out and Tylorstown kept it tight and attacked the fringes of rucks with substitute prop Ashley Thomas showing up well. Melhuish edged Tylorstown further in front with a penalty.

Centre Sam Davies continually came back to the strength of the forwards in the final quarter when the ball came out to the backs which eventually tired out the close defenders. The reliable Hefford capitalised on the Tylorstown pressure and broke free down the wing to show a quick turn of pace and score in the corner.

In the closing minutes Penybanc scored a converted try to bring them within a try to win the game. Tylorstown dug deep and tackled well to keep the home side from scoring. Centre Davies saved the game for Tylorstown with a tremendous cover tackle which smothered the defender with the try line beckoning.

Tylorstown are undoubtedly reaping the benefit of playing so many youngsters fresh from the youth team over the last three seasons. These individuals are repaying the faith the coaches have placed in them by delivering mature and hard nosed performances.

Tylorstown’s next game is in the league against Cefn Coed on 12^th November at Penrhys Park.