Ammanford Sport
Division One West Ammanford 18 Tondu 21
8:00am Wednesday 18th January 2012
THE first home game of 2012 proved to be as disappointing as the last of 2011 as Ammanford let slip a winning position late in the game, handing a soft win to the visitors.
Ammanford started strongly and were rewarded within minutes when the Tondu defence was penalised for killing the ball and Carwyn Richards converted the penalty.
The visitors had the upper hand in the scrum early on but were frustrated by strong home defence until outside half Paul Smithson drew them level with a penalty.
Ammanford then put together several positive phases and outside half Tom Marks set up a good scoring opportunity, but in the ensuing phases the visitors turned the ball over and Smithson spotted the absence of the defence and cleared downfield.
Wing Mark Roberts was the quickest to react and he raced clear to score in the corner for an 8-3 Tondu lead at the interval whistle.
After strong words at halftime Ammanford were out of the blocks quickest and breaks by Marks and debutant centre Craig Woodhall asked questions of the visitors.
With field position secured, Ammanford pounded the visitors line and eventually prop Liam Baker crashed over under the posts for a well-deserved try.
Carwyn Richards converted to give Ammanford a 10-8 advantage.
With their tails up, Ammanford looked a different team and were quickly on the attack again as a neat chip from centre Brayley created havoc in the Tondu defence.
The hosts stole the ball, Richard Davies and Llyr Lloyd made good ground and eventually Mathew Brayley crossed in the corner.
Another Richards penalty extended the lead to 18-8 and Ammanford, it appeared, were looking good for a much needed home win.
Tondu, however, had other ideas and finished the stronger.
A speculative kick upfield was not cleared and Tondu capitalised as the turnover was quickly recycled for substitute Dave Griggs to cross for a converted try. An injury to the influential Brayley disrupted Ammanford’s flow and after the reshuffle Tondu were awarded a penalty, converted by Smithson to draw level at 18-18.
Then in the dying minutes Smithson gratefully accepted another penalty opportunity to put the visitors ahead and claim the win.
Next week Ammanford travel to TATA.