News

The Old Firm were in contention in this last game of the season until 5 minutes or so to go at Ystrad Rhondda last Saturday. Although going behind after just 6 minutes to a well taken try which made it 5-0, Mount regrouped and dug in, defending well and with commitment. It was fully 20 minutes before the Old Firm put their first sustained attack together, taking play up to the Ystrad line but a turnover allowed the home team to clear the danger. The pressure continued and after a number of drives from close-in, a well-placed crossfield kick by outside half Liam Jones put the home wing under pressure and Mount wing Lewis Kerr was very unlucky not to be awarded the touchdown after the ball was spilt, a penalty instead being given to Mount. A lineout take set up another attack which was finished off by outside half Jones, who went through a gap in the Ystrad midfield to score wide out and also convert with a fine kick to make it 7-5 to the Old Firm at half time.

Determined defence at the start of the second half from a 5 metre lineout by the Mount forwards held Ystrad out and led to a turnover. After missing a 25 metre penalty, the home team were lucky to get another chance when a Mount forward was penalised after coming through the back of a ruck. Truelove made no mistake to take Ystrad 8-7 up after 57 minutes. The Old Firm responded well, taking play up to 5 metres out but accidentally offside gave Ystrad a scrum. Mount were unlucky not to get a penalty after a home defender knocked on from an attempted interception just 15 metres out. After 73 minutes, an intercepted lineout throw by the home team led to a number of phases and a try wide out, which made it 13-7, and then with time almost up, another lineout interception led to further pressure close-in and a drive over to finalise the scoring at 20-7.

The game brought the League season to an end for the Old Firm. In total, 65 points were accrued from the 22 games played, 14 of which were won and 8 lost, which secured a 4th place finish.

The very last game of Mountain Ash RFC’s season will take place this Saturday, 6 May, at Merthyr RFC and will be the Heart of Wales Youth Cup final between Mountain Ash Youth and Brecon Youth, kick off 2:30pm. The Young Firm has won the Cup for the last two seasons and are going for a unique hat-trick of wins. All support welcome.