photo by Neville Price

On a wet and windy Ystalyfera saw a great game of Rugby League, with both sides playing an open and expansive game.  Both sides had players that were new to Rugby League, but all played extremely well.  The first score of the day came from centre Dane Clancy after a break down the left touchline by Dylan Griffiths who cut inside and a few passes later saw Dane score to the right of the posts, Dane converted his own try.  Tries from 18 year old Stand Off Nick Stephens, 2 from superb centre Chris Roets who was man of the match (Back),and 1 from  Second Row Jonathan Philips all converted by Dane Clancy, saw the miners going in at half time 30 - 0 in the lead.

The second half was a steep learning curve for all the new player from both sides, the Miners and the Sharks took  each other on in the centre of the field, each tackling, and canceling each other out.  The first break came from a strike down the middle of the paddock from full back Wayne McFenton, ending in a try for prop Andy Lustig, which was converted by Dane Clancy.  With the Miners coming  from a counter attack after a mistake from the Sharks saw Chris Buckley scoring near the posts, the try was converted by Kyle Roberts.  In the last few minutes the Sharks scored a try of their own by Hooker Lee Diana and converted by Jonathan Griffiths.

Players of the day were Chris Roets, Dai Hawkins, Wayne McFenton and Steffan Jones from the Swansea Valley Miners, and Adam Jones, Jonathan Griffiths, Lee Diana and Stuart Taylor from the Sharks.

Scores: Tries Chris Roets 2, Dane Clancy, Nick Stephens, Jonathan Phillips, Chris Buckley, Andy Lustig. 
Conversions: Dane Clancy 6, Kyle Roberts 1.

Article by Neville Price
20 May 2006