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2009–10 Ystalyfera RFC season

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Having returned to Division 3 and celebrating 125 years of competitive rugby, the ‘Fera finished in 6th place, the highest level to date in the National League. The season began early with six wins and three defeats into October. This was similar to the promotion season a year before, the defeats being two friendlies versus Glamorgan County and Welsh Cup holders (shortly to be League Champions) Neath. Glynneath home was the other. In this run was a comprehensive first ever win at Seven Sisters at the 25th time of asking. This performance was one of the best of the season, when the ‘Fera outplayed respected opponents in every facet of the game, not allowing any opportunity for the home team to make any impact, and dominating proceedings throughout. The Swansea Valley Cup began with a Preliminary Round win over Glais 29–7. The remaining October games were against who would prove to be the final top three sides Tondu, Skewen and Kenfig Hill. Having played 12 games in 8 weeks did leave a mark against these well organised sides, Ystalyfera settling in 5th position out of 12 in the Division. In November, being the highest placed Swansea Valley side, success in the Cup competition was anticipated, however on a wet night at Vardre plans went astray and despite a late fight back the semi-final game was lost 14–20. December started with a hard earned 12–9 victory away at Bryncoch. A 2nd Round Welsh Plate defeat against in form Skewen, was followed by a commendable boxing day ‘revenge’ 6–5 victory at Glynneath. Four home games in January and February saw capable wins versus Briton Ferry, Seven Sisters and Cwmavon, losing to the well structured Tondu side. Throughout the remainder of the season, only two more wins would be achieved, both at home. Defeats away at Brynamman and at Nantyffyllon were close run affairs, the ‘Fera team more than earning the right to claim victory in both games. In summary consolidation at the higher level augur's well for the club, onwards and upwards being the order of the day.

Both Dane Clancy and Damian James scored over 100 points, the referee in the final game at Nantyffyllon denying Damian the higher total and a win for the club. Compensation for Damian can be the most tries scored (11). The young pack more than held its own against some big and well experienced opponents, the backs giving their best against well drilled and organised sides. Captain was the ever reliable Paul Davies for the third time, he and other mainstream players like Mathew Scott, Steffan Jones, Gareth James and Phillip Thomas (to mention a few), were troubled by injury and it was heartening that the squad was big and strong enough to deal with these setbacks and finish in the top half of the table. Whilst the commitment and efforts of the younger members of the side can be recognised and deems well for the future, older stalwarts do provide much needed and welcomed help and support for colleagues, coaches and Team Manager alike. No less than six ex-captains played this season.

Players Player of the year was Jonathan Williams and the Supporters favourite was Jesse Patton.

National league division 3 south west

[edit]
Pos. Team. PL. W. D. L. F. A. Bon. Try. Pts. %.
1 P Skewen 22 21 0 1 680 183 13 96 97 95.45%
2 P Tondu 22 19 1 2 618 243 14 83 92 88.64%
3 Kenfig Hill 22 16 0 6 654 321 13 92 77 72.73%
4 Glynneath 22 15 1 6 593 229 12 78 74 70.45%
5 Seven Sisters 22 12 0 10 444 377 7 54 55 54.55%
6 Ystalyfera 22 11 0 11 401 537 7 42 51 50.00%
7 Bryncoch 22 9 0 13 418 582 5 46 41 40.91%
8 Nantyffyllon 22 8 0 14 254 505 3 31 35 36.36%
9 Cwmavon 22 6 1 15 338 483 8 43 34 29.55%
10 Brynamman 22 5 1 16 349 642 9 37 31 25.00%
11 R Briton Ferry 22 5 0 17 289 496 6 34 26 22.73%
12 R Maesteg Quins 22 3 0 19 264 704 6 30 18 13.64%

[1]

Ystalyfera 2009/10 Season Results

[edit]
No. Date. Fixture. Venue. Opponents. Result. F - A.
1 15 Aug. SVCup PreRd Home Glais Won 29 - 7
2 23 Aug. Friendly Home Glamorgan County Lost 7 - 33
3 27 Aug. Friendly Home Trebanos Won 25 - 17
4 5 Sept. League Home Glynneath Lost 8 - 13
5 9 Sept. Friendly Home Neath Lost 5 - 38
6 12 Sept. League Away Maesteg Quins Won 22 - 16
7 19 Sept. League Home Nantyffyllon Won 29 - 0
8 26 Sept. League Away Seven Sisters Won 48 - 10
9 3 Oct. League Home Brynamman Won 31 - 12
10 10 Oct. League Away Tondu Lost 3 - 46
11 17 Oct. League Home Skewen Lost 6 - 53
12 24 Oct. League Away Kenfig Hill Lost 3 - 21
13 26 Nov. SV Cup SF Away Vardre Lost 14 - 20
14 5 Dec. League Away Bryncoch Won 12 - 9
15 12 Dec. W Plate 2 Rd Home Skewen Lost 7 - 36
16 26 Dec. League Away Glynneath Won 6 - 5
17 16 Jan. League Home Briton Ferry Won 19 - 0
18 23 Jan. League Home Seven Sisters Won 14 - 11
19 20 Feb. League Home Tondu Lost 10 - 33
20 27 Feb. League Home Cwmavon Won 24 - 21
21 6 Mar. League Away Skewen Lost 3 - 76
22 3 Apr. League Away Briton Ferry Lost 5 - 30
23 10 Apr. League Home Bryncoch Won 37 - 26
24 24 Apr. League Away Brynamman lost 17 - 22
25 17 Apr. League Home Maesteg Quins Won 45 - 26
26 24 Apr. League Away Cwmavon Lost 9 - 48
27 27 Apr. League Home Kenfig Hill Lost 21 - 30
28 1 May. League Away Nantyffyllon Lost 29 - 31
488 - 688

[2]

Ystalyfera 2009/10 Season Player Stats

[edit]
46. Player. PL. Tries. Cons. DGls. Pens. Tot Pts.
1 Dane Clancy 19 2 21 19 109
2 Damian James 26 11 7 1 12 108
3 Gareth James 7 1 6 2 12 59
4 Mathew Scott 22 9 1 1 50
5 Steffan Jones 25 5 25
6 Craig Watkins 24 5 25
7 Mathew Dunne 26 3 15
8 Arwel Williams 18 3 15
9 Jesse Patton 27 2 10
10 Phillip Thomas 22 2 10
11 Ryan Evans 3 2 10
12 Graham Jones 26 1 5
12 Daniel White 26 1 5
14 Paul Davies Captain 23 1 5
15 Kevin Williams 22 1 5
16 Gavin Richards 13 1 5
17 Simon Chatham 8 1 5
18 Alun Guerrier 4 1 5
18 Tom Barry 4 1 5
20 Martyn Stoneman 10 1 2
21 Jonathan Williams 28
22 Carwyn Williams 25
23 Greg Williams 22
24 Nick Stevens 20
24 Nathan Hicks 20
24 Steven Myers 20
27 Jonathan Evans 17
28 Kieran Lloyd 15
29 Lyndon Osborne 14
30 Simon Dunne 12
31 Craig Lloyd 10
31 Neil Brown 10
33 Neil Lynch 8
34 Andy Llewellyn 6
35 Ashley Carter 3
36 Robert White 2
37 Ceri Wyn myers 1
37 David Hawkins 1
37 Gareth Noble 1
37 Chris Demeldera 1
37 Chris Lewis 1
37 Aaron Ace 1
37 Peter Abraham 1
'Penalty Tries' 2 10
'Team Total' 28 55 36 3 44 488

[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ WRU official website Archived 2009-05-07 at the Wayback Machine
  2. ^ WRU official website Archived 2009-05-07 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ [Ystalyfera Rugby Archive]