Betws 19 - Ystradgynlais 22

Ystradgynlais bounced back from their defeat last week to early leaders Alltwen in Division 5South West with their pack restoring some pride with a battling performance to secure this win. The visitors showed their intent from the start and their powerful driving mauls gave them the lead after 10 minutes with No 8 Dai Love finishing off a thirty metre drive to the line.
 

Betws responded immediately but they were held up on the line after their forwards demonstrated that they were also capable of some powerful driving. From the resultant scrum, centre Gary Davies dropped a goal for a score of 3-5. Twenty minutes into the game, the home forwards again showed that they could use the catch and drive ploy, with second-row Iestyn Williams taking the lineout ball with prop Ian Morris being driven over to give the home teat an 8-5 lead.
 

The tight forward battle continued with both sides conceding penalties. Visiting outside-half Dane Clancy converted a couple with opposite number Gavin Davies putting over a neat drop-goal to make the half-time score 11-11.

It was the homesters who applied the pressure at the beginning of the second-half and a strong run by Gary Davies in midfield found man-of-the-match and flanker Emyr Timothy in support to power his way over for a 16-11 lead. However, the visitors were soon level again when another unstoppable
catch and drive from a lineout saw Dai Love again being driven over for his second try.

Dane Clancy edged the visitors ahead with a penalty before the home team again applied the pressure with Gavin Davies putting over a penalty over to make the score 19-19. A further penalty hit the upright with the game poised with 10 minutes remaining. Unfortunately for Betws, they were unable to secure any lineout possession in the closing stages and the visitors, through the trusty boot of Dane Clancy, snatched victory after a successful long range penalty.

Although not reaching the heights of the same fixture last season, which both sets of supporters described as the best match seen for a number of years, the game was a high-density affair, and both teams are to be congratulated on their efforts. Betws return to cup action next week with another visit to Glais, having played and beaten them in the league only two weeks ago.