With a scoreline of 47-9, it was the manner of a second half capitulation that became the biggest talking point today, from what was otherwise a closely contested game at half time.

At the break, the scoreline was well balanced and a good reflection of the match, with Mount just edging the play by taking their chances when they arrived. Sion Summers did the talking for the Dairymen with three from three penalty conversions, as both sides saw yellows for indiscipline rather than foul play. A converted try seperated the sides at the interval with score at 16-7.

The second half started poorly with a barnstorming run through the Mountain ash centre - a big lump both diffcult to stop but with a bit of gas in the tank. His driving run took Mount into our 22, until good work from the set piece allowed Llan to regain good field position as the ball was knocked on from the kick.

A penalty from the resulting scrum gave Llan their first chance at goal, allowing Summers, a capable kick replacement in the absence of Scott Jones, another opportunity from distance. Whilst the kick was on target, the distance and rising wind proved too great as the kick fell just short. After that...lets just say it turned into one way traffic.

The pick of the bunch was probably from a good defensive kick, taken by the Mount full back, who sliced straight through the defence to score unopposed. Heads continued to drop in uncharacteristic fashion, as a normally solid and resolute defence was at times woefully lacking.

All said and done, Mountain Ash took the spoils and deserve their plaudits today. We wish them well for the rest of the season as we turn our attention back to the training paddock in readiness for Ystrad Rhondda on the 17th February 2018.

Pics Courtesy of Anita Cashmore and Richard Jenkins.