Betws 12 – Ystradgynlais 49

(Semi-final Brains Plate competition played at Brynamman RFC)

Betws came down to earth with a bump in this mid-week semi-final clash in the Brains Plate Competition against promotion rivals Ystradgynlais. They were missing a few key players and Ystrad took full advantage to exact revenge for their recent league defeat which allowed Betws to close the gap at the top of the Division 5 SW League Table.

The “Blues” started strongly and were eighteen points up in as many minutes with outside half Hywel Evans kicking two penalties and a conversion to add to tries from scrum half Dean Holsgrove and hooker Chris Thomas as their pack took control. Betws showed glimpses of their recent form and cut the deficit with tries from wing Mark Thomas and outside half Phil Saunders who also added a conversion.

However, a yellow card for prop Ian Morris and a controversial try by Ystrad full back Sean Harries stopped any hopes of a comeback, with the Blues ending the half with a 25-12 lead. The referee did Betws no favours throughout the match and a second yellow card saw wing forward Glyn Thomas dispatched to the sin bin leaving Betws struggling with 13 men.

Chris Thomas soon added his second try with wing Ian Thomas adding a converted try to make the second half no easier for Betws. They soon accepted that the game was lost and made wholesale changes to rest key players for the important coming league fixtures. A rampant Ystrad side were now in full control and scored two further tries with a conversion to earn themselves a deserved win. We wish them luck in the final!