Fixture

Nantymoels first league fixture in Division 2 West Central, having been promoted last season, ended in defeat to Aberavon Green Stars who finished mid table in this league last term.

The Green Stars, playing down the slope, took an early lead through a penalty after Nantymoel were penalised in their own 22. But the lead didn't last long for the Green Stars, as Nantymoel kept possession of the ball and put together several phases which resulted in centre and captain for the day Graham Morgan crossing under the posts which full back Andrew Thomas easily converted.

And from the restart Nantymoel quickly made their way back into the oppositions 22 and from a line out on the Green Stars 5 meter line the ball was easily won by the home side and in a move straight from the training ground, the ball was quickly given back to hooker Tom Davies who had an unimpeded stroll over the line to put the ball down for an unconverted try.

A shell shocked Green Stars then started to put some pressure on the Nantymoel line after being pegged in their own half for the first 20 minutes and were awarded a second penalty for a Nantymoel infringement which they opted to take as a scrum. However, a resolute home defence kept out the visitors which resulted in the next penalty the Green Stars were awarded being slotted through the posts to make the score 12 - 6.

Then at the end of the first half and after more pressure on the home line, the Green Stars run in two more tries, one of which was converted, to leave the score Nantymoel 12 Green Stars 18.

At the start of the second half Nantymoel were caught cold and within minutes the Green Stars had run in a further two tries with only one converted leaving the score 12 - 30.  Nantymoel then made some changes with Peter Williams replacing try scorer Tom Davies and Mike Harrington taking Ben Wareham place.

Despite Nantymoel trailing by 18 points their heads did not drop and they camped themselves in the Green Stars 22. After several infringments by the visitors from driving line outs the referee went to his pocket for a yellow card which he give to one of the Green Stars pack. From the next line out and with a player advantage, Nantymoel drove the ball over the line for flanker John Lloyd to touch down to make the score 17 - 30.

From the re-start and with their tails up, Nantymoel drove the ball back up the field and after several phases centre Keiron Townsend crossed for Nantymoels fourth try which outside half Jeremy Williams converted to take the score to 24 - 30. At this point Nantymoel had two bonus points in the bag for scoring 4 tries and being within 7 points of the opposition.

Nantymoel then brought on Tim Clement in the centre replacing try scorer Graham Morgan and David Jones replacing Sean Williams in the second row.

The Green Stars then threatened the Nantymoel line and their winger looked certain to score in the corner but replacement David Jones made try saving tackle unbelievably covering the ground and ankle tapping the winger. However, the Green Stars recycled the ball quickly and Nantymoel were caught off side. With only 8 minutes to go and the Green Stars only leading by 6 points they went for the posts to extend their lead to 24 - 33 leaving Nantymoel with just one bonus point.

Going into the last few minutes of the match and Nantymoel made their last change bring on Michael James for an injured Andrew Thomas with James going into the centre and Tim Clements going to full back.

However, as Nantymoel were pushing for a score to recoup their lost bonus point the Green Stars had the last word scoring an unconverted try in the corner to leave the the final score Nantymoel 24 Aberavon Green Stars 38.

With several keys players missing and still running in four trys to earn their first point of the season, Nantymoel must take heart from this defeat as during the first twenty minutes of the first half and the middle period of the second half they were the better team. There will certainly be harder games than this throughout the season but the Big Step Up for The Moel might not be as big as first thought if the players stick together and manage to improve on this performance.

Their next game is away to Maesteg Celtic on Saturday 12 September 2015.