Fixture

Stars welcomed old rivals Llanhilleth to Glan-yr-Afon park. Both sides fully aware that this was a crucial league game as only 2 points separates the 2 sides and both sides want to avoid a relegation battle at the end of the season. A physical encounter was anticipated.

Stars started well and from a nice chip kick by outside half Nathan Hughes the Stars backs followed up the kick and Sam Creel powered over the try line to score the first try. Llan retaliated and were awarded a penalty reducing the score to 7-3. A Llan player was then yellow carded because of an high tackle; Nathan Hughes kicked the penalty 10-3 to the Stars.

The Stars took advantage of the extra man with Tom Rees breaking away from a maul followed with a fantastic pass to put Ross Martin away to run 5 yards to score another try converted by Nathan Hughes 17-3 to Stars after 20 minutes. Llan did not give up and were awarded a penalty on the half way line which ended up on the Stars 22 meter line due to Stars players back chatting the ref. This was converted reducing the score to 17-6. The Stars players reacted well and Mike Preece powered over the line breaking at least 3 tackles to score a try. Nathan Hughes again converted making the score 24-6 at half time.

To be fair Llan kept going and pressed the Stars defense which did not break however the Stars indiscipline kept Llan in the game and in the first 10 minutes of the second half Llan were awarded two penalties reducing the score to 24-12. The Stars forwards continued to take the game to Llan and from a driving maul the Stars drove over Llan's try line; it was clear that Mathew Davies had grounded the ball for a try however the ref claimed to be unsighted but gave a penalty try to the Stars because Llan brought down the driving maul illegally. Nathan Hughes was having a good goal kicking day and again converted the try 31-12 to Stars.

Another bit of indiscipline resulted in Llan converting a penalty 31-15. Shortly after this Nathan Hughes questioned the refs decision despite being warned that any future back chatting would result in a yellow card; the ref kept his word and Nathan had 10 minutes in the sin bin. Despite being a man down the Stars did not allow Llan to score any more points. With about 10 minutes to go the ball was moved to replacement wing Scott Emery who went on a tricky run and passed inside to captain Nathan Richards who happened to be in the right place to run 5 meters unopposed to score the Stars final try. It was unconverted 36-15. In the last minute of the game Llan scored an unconverted try in the corner. Final score 36-20.

This was a very pleasing result and every player must be congratulating for the effort put in and it was nice to see the Stars starting to play like a team and not as individuals.

There was a number of good performances: the back row was magnificent all match; they covered every blade of grass making numerous tackles together with each of them scoring a try and Mike Preece made some huge carries and big tackles.The new centre partnership worked very well and was strong in defense. Wing Karl Fallon back from injury made a number of big runs. Nathan Hughes used the good ball he received from scrum half Calum Williams well and his goal kicking was top notch. Full back Mike Jones was very dependable and safe under the high ball. The front row continued to do the hard unseen work and hooker Matthew Davies scored 2 tries which were not given; one when the Llan linesman reckoned he was in touch when he was clearly not and the other when he scored the try but the ref decided to give a penalty try instead. Matthew had a very unlucky afternoon and decisions went against him.

The man of the match was Ross Martin for his work ethic and attitude shown throughout the game.

The only disappointment was the continued indiscipline which to be fair is improving but still needs to be sorted because in closer games it could cost us.

Stars together stronger.