Fixture

New Panteg packed their altitude sickness tablets and the thermal underwear for a trip to the highest rugby pitch in Wales, to face the Men of Stone from Trefil. Anyone who has experienced this pitch will know it is one of the most difficult places to travel and the high winds and ankle deep mud certainly didn't disappoint. The Trefil side are experts in playing to the conditions on their own tump and operating down the slope with a big squall at their backs, they applied constant pressure on the visitors. The hosts were effecting a clever kicking game together with a strong set piece and this proved effective with two early converted tries and the young Panteg side could barely get their hands on the ball. Despite having a 100% winning record in the league this season New Panteg were clearly coming second best of the two teams who were both showing numerous enforced changes. However Panteg's young bucks are maturing with every game and showed huge resolve to force their way back into this encounter via a trademark counter attack. Bury at full back marked a towering kick deep in his 22 and took a quick tap and moved the ball wide. He found winger Munro in space who rounded his opposite number and in turn found Natthaphong running a fabulous inside supporting line to score under the posts. Gwatkin secured the extra points and it almost got considerably better for Panteg on the stroke of half time as they endeavoured to put some width on the game in very challenging conditions. Good interplay from Gwatkin, Munro and Natthaphong gave centre Collins the smallest of gaps and using his substantial power he drove himself over the line with a desperate defender beneath him. The referee deemed the ball to be held up when a quiet word with the fictitious TMO would have confirmed a levelling score. Despite this disappointment Panteg would have been confident that a 7 point buffer would not be sufficient for the Men of Stone with the elements now firmly in their favour.

This optimism was not misguided as within the first few minutes of the second period Griffiths embarked on another bustling run from number 8 to crash over for an early score. Gwatkin failed to level the scores from a tight angle but the tide looked like it was turning. Trefil are certainly as adept at playing against the elements as they are with them and their outside half and inside centre continued to kick some good field positions. This resulted in a further penalty as the young referee seemed to be getting increasingly frustrated at Panteg's apparent indescretions. With time running out New Panteg were exasperating the travelling support by gaining encouraging field position, only to be penalised by the enthusiastic official. On a weekend when the clocks went back the referee bucked the trend by propelling his watch forward and actually losing a least 7 minutes of playing time much to the bewilderment of Panteg's resident timekeeper. This looked to prove costly as yet another penalty was drilled within 5 metres of the Panteg try line and the last play of the game was called. In desperation Panteg lifted their jumpers and were successful with an untidy turnover and proceeded to run from their own line in quagmire conditions. Gwatkin transferred to Natthaphong who evaded a few would-be tacklers to hand onto quick Silver on the wing.He galloped over halfway with Trefil desperately trying to force him out and with one man to beat put in a speculative chip kick. There were groans from the travelling support as the ball looked to be heading for touch only for that man Natthaphong to hook the ball back infield and gather it himself for a scintillating and unlikely score. With the tune of the 'Great Escape' ringing in his ears Gwatkin had the chance to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat but pushed the conversion agonisingly wide from a very difficult position.

Trefil will be justifiably disappointed with the final outcome and their game management of the final minute but New Panteg were delighted to maintain their unbeaten start to the season. Flanker Joel Hamer was unanimously voted the Man of Steel in his first game back after a nasty head injury. He exemplified the necessary endeavour needed when coming to such difficult places with his workrate around the field and particularly on the ground.