Wednesday 14th September 2016.
1st XV advance in the Welsh Cup.
Gowerton School’s 1st XV got their season off to a flying start when they travelled to neighbours Olchfa in the first round of the Welsh Cup and produced a confident performance that enabled them to return with a 24-7 victory and as a result advance to the next round.
The autumn sunshine meant that both the underfoot and overhead conditions were ideal for open running rugby. Neither side disappointed, keeping the ball in hand at every opportunity.
The visitors quickly established an advantage at forward with prop Ben Brown and locks Will Griffiths and Jason Stagg all carrying the ball strongly. Flankers Joe Bright and Ewan Brown dominated the breakdown and with a regular supply of quality possession half backs Max Treharne and Dexter Ryde released their outside backs regularly. Debutant centres James Northey and Tom Barrington were particularly impressive with their angles of running and ability to retain possession in contact that allowed the team to pose a constant threat.
What a try by James Northey
James bursts between two defenders…….
takes on the last man……
beats him……
and dives over for the second try.
Gowerton opened the scoring in the 6th minute when powerful drives from centre Barrington and prop Brown established a position deep in the hosts’ 22. When the ball was recycled quickly, a sublime show and go by fly half Ryde allowed him to out fox the defence and slice through beneath the posts for a try he converted himself.
In the 12th minute, an elusive run out of his 22 by full back Tom Ham was carried on by lock Will Griffiths who found centre and man of the match Northey in support on half way, he beat several defenders en route to the try line. Fly half Ryde again added the extras.
Joe Bright drives forward.
The hosts were finding it difficult to stem the flow of Gowerton attacks, but with back row forwards James Barry and James Toland working overtime defensively, the visitors were made to work hard for their scores. A third score arrived in the 22nd minute when more good work from lock Griffiths, prop Brown and flanker Joe Bright freed wing Samer Makahleh who dived over in the corner.
Will Griffiths powers towards the try line.
The visitors’ added a fourth score before the break when the tireless work of lock Stagg put captain and flanker Max Harris in space 40 metres out and he powered forward to give his side a deserved 24 point lead at the break.
Olchfa produced an excellent second half fight back with Toland and Barry both impressing with their work rate and centre Alex Wilson a constant threat with his strong running. The only score of the half was scored by centre Wilson who sprinted clear on halfway for a try that fly half Dan Bennett converted. The hosts pushed for another score but Gowerton’s defence refused to yield again and at full time it was they who progressed to the next round.
