On Saturday Oct 4th we welcomed Pontrhydyfen to Fall Bay RFC. Based on last season, it lived up to expectations of being a closely fought game with Pontrhydyfen eventually winning by 3 points, with a final score of 29 - 26. The extremely wet and windy weather was always going to make it a difficult day for running rugby with Fall Bay playing with the strong wind in the first half. The early exchanges were dominated by handling errors, one of which in the Pontrhydyfen midfield, led to a kick and chase with Dan “Lynda Carter” Davies winning the race for the touchdown on her return from injury. Kirk Reardon converted the try to give Fall Bay a 7-0 lead. Further pressure led to a penalty from Kirk. The Pontrhydyfen forwards responded with some good driving play into the Fall Bay 22 culminating in a penalty for them.

A quickly taken free kick by James Elliot and a storming run by Stuart Barrow with an offload in the Pontrhydyfen 22 followed by some quick hands by Ivor Parry and Steve Hewitt to Dan “Lynda Carter” Davies led to her second try of the game.  The conversion was successfully taken by Kirk to make the score 17-3. Three further penalties from Kirk for Fall Bay, followed by one for Pontrhydyfen, made the score 26-6 leading up to half time and the pivotal moment of the game. With half time looming  Pontrhydyfen had the put in at a scrum five metres from the Fall Bay line and a free kick was awarded to them by the referee. Pontrhydyfen quickly took the free kick before the scrum had broken up resulting in a try and conversion to make the scores 26-13 at the break.

The second half saw the introduction of veteran prop Gwyn Davies for Fall Bay (I thought he had retired?). Worsening weather conditions led to a second half dominated by the boot. Pontrhydyfen had the advantage of the wind and most of the pressure leading to two further successful penalty goals by the Pontrhydyfen No 10. With less than ten minutes to go concerted pressure from the Pontrhydyfen forwards resulted in a try in the corner and with the successful conversion the scores were tied at 26-26.

Despite a number of visits to the Pontrhydyfen 22, Fall Bay failed to put any more points on the board and with minutes remaining Pontrhydyfen were awarded a long range penalty. With the advantage of a strong wind in their favour Pontrhydyfen were able to convert the penalty to win the game.