2008–09 Ystalyfera RFC season

At the end of this season Ystalyfera were promoted back to the level of Division Three after an absence of three years. This was the first taste of success for ten years since the Division Five Championship in season 1998-99, the highest points total and number of league wins since then. The 264 total of most away game points was also equalled.

At the start of the season initial form of the side continued on from the end of the previous campaign, with commanding wins at home up to November, the only defeats being away - a surprising 2nd half collapse at Pontycymmer and the ‘theft’ of a victory at Bryncoch where we more than matched the eventual Division champions. The relatively young ‘Fera side continued to grow in confidence boosted by the experience of no less than 7 former captains namely; Martyn Stoneman, Alun Guerrier, Steven Munkley, Kevin Williams, Peter Abraham, Damian James and Craig Lloyd, all contributing in their own individual ways and the latter two coaching the team in its success. Cornerstone of the achievement was undoubtedly the two young props Kieran Lloyd and Daniel White. Hard working and dedicated they played in every game and won commendable plaudits from both local and visiting onlookers. Captain for his second year Paul Davies, led his side through a surge of five consecutive wins in April whilst getting married and enjoying a honeymoon as well! Gareth James, back in the side from the Bryncoch away game with 5 conversions, finished with the highest season total of 172 points, his career total to date being 535. Brother Damian increased his club record total to 1354 points. Graham Jones was top try scorer with 9 touchdowns. Players Player was Stephan Jones and Supporters Player Daniel White.

A profitable season also delivered in the Welsh Cup where Ystalyfera equalled their highest progress reaching the Third Round for the seventh time. Opportunity to achieve success in the elusive Swansea Valley cup proved disappointing with the termination of the event due to the failure of participating teams to complete the fixtures. This season finished with great promise from an averagely young side, playing a fast positive style of play and much fun to watch.

NATIONAL LEAGUE DIVISION 4 SOUTH WEST[1]

Pos. Team. PL. W. D. L. F. A. Bon. Try. Pts. %.
1 P Bryncoch............-4pts... 22 21 0 1 742 403 13 106 93 95.45%
2 P Ystalyfera 22 15 0 7 563 378 9 67 69 68.18%
3 Taibach 22 14 1 7 514 340 10 75 68 65.01%
4 Glyncorrwg 22 13 1 8 468 311 11 61 65 61.36%
5 Resolven 22 12 0 10 460 439 13 61 61 54.55%
6 Pontycymmer 22 10 0 12 384 405 10 52 50 45.45%
7 Aberavon Green Stars 22 10 0 12 342 598 8 49 48 45.45%
8 Ystradgynlais 22 9 0 13 366 451 7 44 43 40.91%
9 Porthcawl 22 7 1 14 490 517 12 64 42 34.09%
10 Vardre 22 8 1 13 232 281 7 44 41 39.54%
11 R Neath Athletic 22 7 0 15 352 521 13 48 41 31.82%
12 R Birchgrove 22 4 0 18 286 566 5 38 21 18.18%

Ystalyfera 2008/09 Season Results[2]

No. Date. Fixture. Venue. Opponents. Result. F - A.
30 Aug. SVCup PreRd Away Glais walkover
1 13 Sept. League Home Neath Athletic Won 54 - 8
2 17 Sept. SV Cup 1st Rd Home Vardre Won 35 - 12
3 20 Sept. League Away Pontycymmer Lost 19 - 31
4 4 Oct. League Home Porthcawl Won 27 - 10
5 11 Oct. League Away Bryncoch Lost 35 - 41
6 18 Oct. League Home Taibach Won 33 - 5
7 25 Oct. W Cup 2nd Rd Home Old Penarthians Won 22 - 6
8 1 Nov. League Away Vardre Won 21 - 10
9 15 Nov. W Cup 3rd Rd Home Aberavon Quins Lost 6 - 17
10 6 Dec. League Home Ystradgynlais Won 25 - 12
11 13 Dec. League Away Aberavon Green Stars Lost 14 - 19
12 17 Jan. League Home Birchgrove Won 23 - 9
13 24 Jan. League Away Birchgrove Won 27 - 22
14 31 Jan. League Home Pontycymmer Lost 17 - 25
15 28 Feb. League Away Porthcawl Won 17 - 11
16 7 Mar. League Home Bryncoch Lost 17 - 25
17 20 Mar. League Away Glyncorrwg Won 20 - 14
18 28 Mar. League Away Taibach Lost 18 - 23
19 31 Mar. League Away Neath Athletic Won 39 - 20
20 4 Apr. League Home Vardre Won 12 - 11
21 11 Apr. League Away Ystradgynlais Won 27 - 15
22 18 Apr. League Home Aberavon Green Stars Won 23 - 17
23 22 Apr. League Home Resolven Won 57 - 21
24 25 Apr. League Away Resolven Won 27 - 12
25 2 May. League Home Glyncorrwg Lost 11 - 17
626 - 413

Ystalyfera 2008/09 Season Player Stats[3]

43. Player. PL. Tries. Cons. DGls. Pens. Tot Pts.
1 Gareth James 17 4 28 3 29 172
2 Damian James 12 2 11 4 12 80
3 Graham Jones 22 9 45
4 Mathew Dunne 21 7 35
5 Martyn Stoneman 18 1 4 6 31
6 Steffan Jones 23 6 30
7 Paul Davies Captain 20 6 30
8 Phillip Thomas 24 5 25
9 Craig Watkins 18 5 25
11 Mathew Scott 6 3 1 18
12 Alun Guerrier 22 3 15
13 Jonathan Evans 21 2 10
14 Arwel Williams 13 2 10
15 Steven Munkley 11 2 10
16 Jonathan Morgan 10 2 10
17 Gareth Noble 2 2 10
18 Kieran Lloyd 25 1 5
19 Jesse Patton 22 1 5
20 Simon Chatham 21 1 5
21 Lyndon Osborne 16 1 5
22 Aled Watkins 9 1 5
23 Ashley Carter 2 1 5
24 Simon Donovan 1 1 5
25 Daniel White 25
26 Nick Stevens 24
27 Jonathan Williams 20
28 Ryan Evans 13
29 Neil Lynch 12
29 Greg Williams 12
31 Nathan Hicks 11
32 Simon Dunne 10
33 Neil Brown 9
34 Craig Lloyd 5
34 Jamie Thomas 5
34 Kevin Williams 5
37 Thomos (Blanco) Williams 4
37 Gavin Richards 4
39 Phillip John Stephens 3
39 Peter Abraham 3
41 Ceri Wyn Myers 1
41 David Hawkins 1
41 Robert Morgan 1
'Penalty Tries' 2 10
'Team Total' 25 75 43 8 47 626

References

  1. ↑ WRU official website Archived 2009-09-28 at WebCite
  2. ↑ WRU official website Archived 2009-09-28 at WebCite
  3. ↑ [Ystalyfera Rugby Archive]
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