Fixture

Merthyr Ladies 17 - 49 Burry Port Ladies
In sunny conditions Burry Port Ladies travelled up to the Wern for their fifth league game of the season in the Women’s National Division 3 against Merthyr Ladies. So far it has been a learning curve with many new players at Burry Port trying out the fastest growing women’s sport in Wales. Prior to the game Burry Port had made big improvements and registered two home wins balanced out by two away defeats. It would be a big test away from home especially as they travelled with a bare 15 players. Merthyr have invested well in their facilities and it was the first time to play on the brand new 4G pitch. Merthyr had a big squad and looked to out muscle Burry Port throughout a highly competitive first half, but ultimately it was the superior fitness and tactics that won the day for Burry Port with an emphatic 9 try victory. Burry Port started well and were able to protect the ball at the contact area allowing many phases of play, and on an immaculate surface played a high tempo game ideal for the fast track. With the Merthyr defence stretched 4 first half tries came at regular intervals through Kirsty Aubury, Kelly Gravell, Llinos Rees and Fflur Jones. Merthyr hit back with a powerful display from their big forwards and scored two first half tries and threatened the Burry Port defence on several occasions. It was credit to a fine defensive display, often on their own line that frustrated Merthyr and it was noticeable that the Burry Port defence was more vocal as they organised their defence around the contact area. Merthyr in contrast were quieter, and Burry Port continued to apply pressure in the second half with the home defence struggling to cope with Catrina Bowen and Jenna Marshall making good ground up-field and new mum Staci Newnian showing fine touches in one of her first games back. Five second half tries from Keely Evans 2, Alana Borthwick, Kirsty Aubrey and Kelly Gravell caped a fine performance with Merthyr having to settle for a consolation try. Burry Port Ladies can be proud of this bonus point display as many players were unavailable through injury or other commitments and to execute the high tempo game plan with a bare 15 players shows a growing maturity, high fitness levels and most of all a fantastic team spirit. They host Deri at the Memorial Park and a big crowd is expected on Sunday 30th October.