Fixture

Bryncethin moved above neighbours Ogmore Vale in Division 3B following this narrow win in front of a good crowd in Bryncethin.
It was the visitors who took the lead after just 3 minutes with a well struck penalty and, when they were awarded a penalty try just 9 minutes later, it looked as if it was going to be a long afternoon for the home side. However the penalty try, which was awarded for an offence at the scrum, seemed to shock the home side into action and they appeared to step up a gear with hooker Gareth Evans crashing over from short range for a well deserved try, that was converted by outside half Lloyd Bradley, to reduce the visitors lead to just 3 points.
With the home side having the advantage of the slope in the first half it was important that they went into the break with a lead and, after further pressure, skipper and scrum half Lloyd Jenkins crossed for a try to open up the narrowest of leads and to leave the half time score at 12-10.
That narrow lead did not last long as, just 3 minutes into the second period, Ogmore Vale regained the lead with a penalty but, in the 55 minute, and much to the relief of the home fans, a clever cross kick by Bradley and a superb take by wing Shane Howells saw him cross for a try wide out. Back came the visitors five minutes later with another successful penalty kick , which saw the home advantage reduced to just one point, but, 5 minutes later,  skipper Jenkins crossed for his second try of the match, converted by Bradley, to give them some breathing space at 24 - 16. Even when the visitors reduced the lead to 24 -19 with another penalty with just 6 minutes to go it looked as if the home side were safe but, just two minutes later, the home side lost possession in the visitors half and a kick and rush down field saw Ogmore Vale score their second try and draw level with 4 minutes left. The home supporters took yet another breath of relief as the conversion was missed but held their breath again as Bradley opted to run the ball from behind his own line but, following a move that took them to the visitors line, they were rewarded with a penalty, converted by Bradley, to make the game safe.
There were good performances from hooker Gareth Evans, young second rows Ellis Andrews and Ryan Morgan and substitute Sam Shilibier.
Next week Bryncethin travel to Baglan and then entertain Vardre the week after and, with both sides being in the leagues top four, coaches Bradley and Jenkins will be looking to build on this improved, but nail biting, performance.