1st XV win on the road again.
St. Josephs (Port Talbot) 1st XV: 7 Gowerton 1st XV: 18
Second half fight back allows 1st XV to notch up another success.
Gowerton 1st XV continued their Aquazone sponsored Ospreys league fixtures when they travelled to Port Talbot to play St. Josephs. It was the fourth time the team had travelled east and following impressive wins at Brynteg, Bridgend College and Porthcawl they maintained their fine form ‘on the road’ and returned with a hard earned victory 18-7.
The hosts kicked off with the advantage of the wind at their backs, but despite playing into the wind, it was the visitors who were first onto the board when full back Tom Howell kicked an excellent penalty from 40 metres.
St. Josephs used the elements to their advantage and with centres Salman Khan and Mitchell Edwards both running strongly they took the lead when fly half Matthew Morgan Morgan darted through a gap to score a try he converted which meant the hosts led 7-3 at the break.
It was the visitors who controlled the second period. Flanker Max Harris dominated the line outs aided by the excellent throwing of hooker Marcus Besley. Besley and prop Richard Keefe both carried strongly but it was the tireless endeavour of No.8 and captain Joel Young that earned him the man of the match award.
Early in the second half another penalty from long distance by full back Howell reduced the deficit to a point. Gowerton were in front when centre Callum Owen stole possession in a tackle on half way and fed wing Rhodri Tyrrell who sprinted 60 metres to score in the corner. Howell missed the conversion, but 5 minutes later he made amends when he finished off the best move of the game that included excellent offloads from scrum half Milo Fleming, fly half Steffan Tyrrell and centre Kieryn Lewis. This time Howell added the extras from the touchline.
St. Josephs pressed for a score but Gowerton’s defence refused to yield, with wing Lewis Hyatt and No.8 Joel Young both prominent.
Gowerton next entertain Gwendraeth in the last 16 of the Welsh Cup. The game takes place on Tuesday at Gowerton RFC, kick off 5.00pm.
Match report: Phil Jones yr 12 and Rhys Cherry yr 13.
