Fixture

Division 1 East Central leaders Ystrad Rhondda were worthy victors on the day and proved themselves to be the best opposition the Old Firm have faced at Duffryn Pennar Park this season. Up until half time, Mount were in the game at just 8-5 behind but after the break the constant pressure exerted by the visitors, who were well drilled across the park and on top in all facets of play, plus indiscipline by the Old Firm, which gave Ystrad penalties, eventually took its toll.

The Old Firm got off to a nervous start and after a dropped catch and an Ystrad scrum, a penalty awarded from 38 metres out was converted by outside half Rhys Truelove which put the visitors 3-0 up after just two minutes play. Ystrad monopolised the ball in the opening quarter but the Mount defence gave nothing away. After 17 minutes, a first attack by the Old Firm saw outside half Liam Jones and full back Jack Roberts combine wide out to take play into the Ystrad 22. A kick into the Mount half looked harmless enough but a counter attack which was snuffed out by a tackle and then a penalty to the visitors on the Mount 10 metre line, saw scrum half Jack Foulkes take it quickly and score a try in the corner to make it 8-0, Truelove’s conversion attempt from the corner hitting an upright. Although behind, Mount had been competitive and 5 minutes later they hit back. From a ruck on the Ystrad 10 metre line, scrum half Ross Davies moved the ball to second row David Richards, who took the ball at speed on an angled run to leave the close-in Ystrad defence for dead and sprint away from 40 metres out to dive over midway out for the touchdown to get the Old Firm back in the game and also score his third try in two games. As the half came to an end, the Mount defence did well to keep the visitors out, scrum half Ross Davies quickly into a ruck to secure a penalty.

Over vigorous play at a ruck at the start of the second half saw a penalty awarded to Ystrad which Truelove kicked from 25 metres to put his side 11-5 up. The restart was turned over to Ystrad which led to further pressure and a midfield break by the visitors’ centre which full back Jack Roberts did well to stop with a tackle 5 metres out to save a certain try, but quick following up by flanker Gerwyn Coleman saw him take the flipped up ball to dive in near the posts for a try, Truelove converting to take Ystrad’s lead up to 18-5 after 47 minutes. The Old Firm responded with a number of forward drives which took play up to the Ystrad 22 where scrum half Davies made a break to get to 15 metres out but inaccurate passing left Ystrad off the hook, and the ball was turned over and cleared to halfway. Further pressure from Mount saw another set of drives which took play once again into the Ystrad 22 where second row Matthew Dixon drove over from metres out, wing Will Holley converting to bring the Old Firm back into the game at just 18-12 down after 55 minutes. An awkward bouncing ball from the restart saw the ball knocked on which Ystrad attacked from to take play to 5 metres out where several scrums took place. Although trying to push the Mount pack over, they were held but at the third time of asking, the visitors’ No.8 picked up and feed scrum half Foulkes who touched down in the corner for his second try, Truelove kicking a well-judged conversion from the touchline to take his side’s lead up to 25-12. Backchat from Mount combined with knock-ons and turnovers all contributed to more pressure on the Old Firm’s defence, and from another Ystrad attack, a long pass to the touchline gave wing Jarrod Llewellyn space to run into the corner for the bonus point try and a 30-12 lead after 70 minutes. After more indiscipline led to a Mount forward being yellow carded, wing Llewellyn was put in space and made a strong run down the touchline to race over for a well taken try, Truelove converting to finalise the scoring.