Barnstorming Bulls now unbeaten in a year following win in Powys derby

The 34-12 away victory bookends a 22-game run without defeat; the last time the Bulls lost was November 13, 2021, a 32-21 home defeat by Resolven.

Ironically, the Bulls have showed nothing but resolve since, embarking on a fine run that sees them battling in a two-horse race for the Admiral National League 2 West Central title with Swansea-based Morriston, who controversially pipped them to the title last season.

Bulls coach Ben Duggan said: “I’m very pleased with the performance, which was a good mix of strong forward play and some creativity in the backs, which led to some great tries.

“The commitment in defence was excellent but credit to Ystradgynlais, they kept coming at us and deserved their tries.

“Saturday’s victory makes us a year unbeaten in 22 games, so hopefully we can carry on the good form into the New Year and into the business end of the season.”

Jenkinson finds a willing runner in Iwan Coyle. Pics by Tony Jones

Despite coming into the game in fine form, the day did not get off to the best of starts, as Builth full-back Steffan Towns and centre Alecs Williams both picked up injuries in the warm-up – the silver lining to this cloud was a first-team debut for 18-year-old outside half Rhys Davies, who shone in the youth side’s fine 2021/22 campaign in which they lifted the Welsh Youth Cup at the Millennium Stadium.

Ystradgynlais began brighter as they looked to move the ball on the wide pitch and the Bulls were stopped in their tracks when captain Ashley Mills was sent to the sin bin for a cynical offence. His team-mates held firm while a man down and the first score of the day came when visiting Number 8 Sion Coyle dotted down at the tail of a driving maul.

Shortly after, the home side were under their own posts again, as another 18-year-old debutant, Adam Powell, touched down after a grubber kick from Iwan Coyle that the Ystrad players failed to deal with.

However, the home side did hit back before the interval; a well-worked passage of play saw them reduce the deficit with a converted try – a sign to Builth that they could not afford to be complacent in the second half.

Builth, 17-7 up, started the second half with more intent and any hope of a home revival hinted at before half-time evaporated soon after the restart when immense pressure from the Bulls pack and ill-discipline from the hosts saw them reduced to 13 men; one player sent to the bin, the other sent off. Ryan Hughes, another of the youth team stars, was the man at the back of the driving maul on this occasion, touching down to make it 24-7, following scrum-half Harry Jenkinson’s conversion, who was excellent off the tee all day.

Rhys Davies, another of Builth's rising youth stars, made his senior Bulls debut. Pics by Tony Jones

The home side weren’t waving the white flag and crossed for their second try of the day with 10 minutes to play, narrowing the score to 27-12.

But the Bulls hammered the final nail in the Blues’ coffin in the dying minutes, as they showed those watching with admiration on the sidelines glimpses of perhaps what to expect from the future with a try made entirely by their talented young bullocks.

A looping pass from debutant Davies – who didn’t put a foot wrong all day on his return from a shoulder injury that has seen him sidelined for the past 6 months – was followed by some neat footwork from full-back Dylan Jones, whose short pass sent Iwan Coyle swan-diving over in the corner, untouched. A passage of play reminiscent of the youth final.

A bonus point win for the Bulls on the road closes the gap to one point on league leaders Morriston, and a performance that coaches Duggan and Lex Botha will be delighted with.

Builth’s youth side were also in action on Saturday, trouncing Tonyrefail 52-0 in the Blues North Plate.

Builth next host Maesteg Celtic at home on December 3.