Cynon Valley

DIVISION 3 EAST CENTRAL B

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WATTSTOWN ................ 7 TYLORSTOWN ............ 10

TYLORSTOWN made the short trip to neighbours Wattstown knowing that a win was needed to put them back in the hunt for league promotion at the end of the season.

Wattstown won well in Bangor last week in the Swalec Bowl whereas Tylorstown were put to the sword by a hugely talented Burry Port side, the Bowl holders.

The game was a scrappy affair with countless stoppages which meant that the first half lasted 55 minutes.

Both teams lacked continuity and there were niggles off the ball which resulted in a player from both sides being sinbinned.

Tylorstown looked the stronger of the teams in the first quarter but each time they neared the tryline they were penalised and Wattstown were able to clear their lines.

Wattstown quickly realised that kicking to full back Jordan Williams meant that he would capitalise and the home team struggled to contain him.

Player coach Harry Allen, playing at outside half, kicked a penalty but Wattstown responded with a try from the loosehead prop who scored under the posts when he should have been tackled metres before.

The game drifted and Wattstown had a fair share of possession. Pick of the defenders for Tylorstown was centre Michael Meluish who made a number of telling tackles out wide.

With many Wattsown forwards filling up the midfield Tylorstown needed to expose them and bring in the speed of Williams and wing Matthew Carter.

Both looked sharp when they ran the ball from deep. This did not happen, instead the ball invariably went back inside.

On the one occasion they did, Allen put No 8 Dai Hefford through a gap with a deft pass but he was brought down on the 22m line.

Gradually Tylorstown inched closer to the Wattstown line with flanker Nathan Davies showing up a great deal and carrying the ball well with captain Chris Lloyd.

For a lengthy period Tylorstown had territory in the shadow of the Wattstown posts. Wattstown defended admirably but scrum half Kieran Richards darted from a ruck and showed strength to crash over and seal the win for Tylorstown. Allen converted.

This win for Tylorstown could be the springboar­d for a successful 2017.

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