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Ynysybwl RFC took maximum points from the first game of the season at Senghenydd and despite heavy relentess rainfall, both teams played some fine rugby to entertain both sets of supporters.

An early Dion McIntosh penalty was shortly cancelled out with a penalty of their own for the home side. 

Ynysybwl then edged back in front after the Bwl pack set a platform on the Senghenydd twenty-two for the backs to then execute a training ground move with Dale Stuckey sliding over for the opening try of the game. McIntosh added the conversion.

McIntosh extended our lead with two further penalties from the boot and The Bwl were now starting to dictate possession and territory. It was not long before we were able to turn those percentages into more points. After some fine handling from forwards and backs alike in a tight space, flanker Corey James survived a battle with the touch line and the covering defence to be awarded the try from the official. 

Senghenydd had chances to add to the scoreboard without doing so and just before the interval, Ynysybwl added their third try of the afternoon when the excellent vision and accuracy from the cross field kick from McIntosh was matched by the speed and finishing of Stuckey for his second of the afternoon. 

Senghenydd 3-26 Ynysybwl HT

Saints were quicker out of the traps in the second forty, eager to reduce the deficit and were rewarded for their efforts with an early try close to the posts which was duly converted. 

As conditions worsened, it naturally had an impact on the quality of rugby and the desire to throw the ball around from both teams added to the tally of handling errors. 

McIntosh added a further penalty before tempers flared for the first time between the sets of players and having taken time to assess his decision, the referee deemed a red card was necessary and we were reduced to fourteen for the last quarter. It was the fifth card of the afternoon with both sides receiving two yellows each for a variety of cinical infringements. 

A reduction in personnel only seemed to inspire The Bwl to work harder to try to close the game out. A flurry of penalties were awarded in our favour and decisions were made to ignore the shots at goal but aim for the corner. The Bwl pack were met consistently with a stern Saints defence but numbers eventually got tied into rucks and eventually, space was found out wide when another cross field kick from McIntosh was palmed back in field from Jospeh Williams and collected by Dewi Voyle to crash over. McIntosh nudged the conversion over to put us into a 10-36 lead. 

As the game drew to a close, Senghenydd had the last score of the afternoon after intercepting a Bwl attack, kicking through and with no defensive cover their wing was able to collect the ball and slide over through the puddles for their second try before the final whistle. 

Senghenydd 15-36 Ynysybwl FT

Division 1 East Results: 

Blaenavon 8-18 Penallta, Nantyglo 10-24 Brecon, Nelson 14-0 Caerleon, Rhydyfelin 32-11 Brynmawr, Risca 13-18 Abertillery BG 

YRFC Results: 

Yetties 57-0 Westmon RFC 2nds, Treharris Youth 8-15 Calves

First XV Next Fixture: Risca (H) - Kick Off 2.30pm