Fixture

A display of real character saw Alltwen overturn promotion chasers Banwen, turning their own season around in the process.

Heavy morning rain had eased by kick-off but the mud-filled conditions and tricky wind ensured this would be a survival of the fittest, in which Alltwen prevailed.

Playing with the wind and slight slope first half, Alltwen’s start was less than ideal when after being awarded an early penalty, it was discovered that the kicking tee had been left in the changing room. Placing the ball on the ground instead, Jason Richards discovered what life was like for earlier generations of goalkickers. The ball barely reached post height but did at least force a few Banwen players to scatter for cover.

Having seen enough the Alltwen forwards began to assume control, asserting themselves forcefully on an opposition who given their loftier league position had perhaps assumed Alltwen had simply turned up to make up the numbers. Nevertheless, turning around at half-time, Alltwen had only a well struck penalty by Richards to show for their effort.

At this point Banwen must have presumed that with the wind and slope in their favour, the end result was a foregone conclusion.  Alltwen were having none of it however. Firstly full back Sam Batty did well to play deep and ably field and return any long kicks posted in his direction. Then the Alltwen forwards started to assert a physical presence, which Banwen found increasingly difficult to counter.

Using the conditions well and exploiting Banwen’s uncertainty at lineout, the Alltwen pack began a series of remorseless pick and go attacks. In a pack of heroes led by Ceiron Daniel, prop Will Davies was outstanding with all eight and their replacements first refusing to take any backward steps then collectively deciding that fully commited forward ones were best. The performance spirit spread to the backs with even Liam Roberts regularly offering himself as a mud spattered battering ram.

Eventually Alltwen’s dogged refusal to yield territory led to Richards slotting a vital second penalty, which left Banwen needing a converted try to win, always a difficult proposition in the conditions. A late penalty award then allowed the home side to find a lineout near the Alltwen 22. With the referee stating ten seconds left, Alltwen stole the ball only for coach Alan Bevan to discover that neither of his half-backs could count past five, causing him to damage his foot kicking the hoardings, as the ball sailed out of play.

Alltwen again spoiled from the next lineout and secured a victory which all 15 players plus subs richly deserved. With two hard earned wins on the trot Alltwen now encounter league strugglers Crynant at Gwyn St next Saturday 27^th KO 14:30. Alltwen will do well though to learn Banwen’s lesson and never take any opposition for granted.