Neath Port Talbot College 2nd XV: 10 Gowerton School 1st XV: 26

Gowerton School’s 1st XV got their Ospreys Division 1 season off to a flying start when they travelled to Llandarcy to earn a hard fought win over Neath Port Talbot College 2nd XV.

The game was evenly balanced during the first quarter with both sides trying to play an expansive brand of rugby. Gowerton’s set piece was providing them with a plentiful source of possession, with the front row of Rhys Flower, Jacob Purcell and Ethan Truelove more than holding their own in the tight. In the lineouts the accurate throwing in of hooker Flower allowed locks Ryan Stagg and Sam Terry to confidently secure their own ball while the hard working locks were able to turn over the hosts’ ball on a number of occasions.

After a period of sustained pressure in Neath’s twenty two the visitors opened the scoring when centre Zac Johns ran strongly for a try that went unconverted.
Confidence boosted by this score Gowerton were on the front foot straight from the kick off and breaks by fly half Paul Packham and centre Tom Davies, took them deep into the hosts’ 22 and intelligent thinking by flanker Caradog Kaniewski saw him place the ball against the base of the post protector for a try that was converted by fly half Packham. At the break Gowerton led 12-0.

The hosts responded positively at the start of the second period and dominated both possession and territory and were initially only denied a score by the uncompromising defensive work of the back row of Vikran Sanghera, Ben Cort and Robyn Williams. However, the hosts’ pressure eventually led to them crossing for an unconverted try.

As players tired, the last quarter saw the game open up with both sides playing excellent rugby. Gowerton stretched their lead with tries by centre Tom Davies and lock Sam Terry, Terry’s try was the result of impressive interplay between forwards and backs. Fly half Packham added the extras to both scores and his intelligent kicking and excellent distribution earned him the man of the match award.

However Neath College had the last word crossing for a second try which left the final score 26-10. Gowerton host near neighbours Gwyr in their next match.

Match report: Mr Lewis

Cefn Hengoed year 11: 21 Gowerton year 11: 26

Gowerton travelled to Cefn Hengoed with their year 7 and 11 teams for their opening group matches of the Swansea Schools’ Cup competition. In the year 11 game they produced a committed performance against a hosts’ side that contained a big physical presence up front.

The game was played with a strong wind favouring one team in each half and after electing to play with it initially, the hosts used it to their advantage crossing the whitewash on three occasions in the first period. No.8 Ashley Domski opening the scoring when he powered over for a score that centre Keilan Cullen converted.
The visitors were back on level terms when scrum half Ben Cort picked up from the base of a ruck on the 22 and sprinted clear for a try converted by fly half Caradog Kaniewski.
But the hosts stretched clear when they twice cleverly chipped over the visitors’ defence and won the chase to ground the ball. Centre Cullen registered both scores and then added the extras to both to give his side a 21-7 lead at the break.
In the second period, with the wind firmly behind them and their pack competing strongly in the forward exchanges it was Gowerton’s turn to launch attack after attack. The front row of Aidan Wilson, Henry Aiono and Nick Hunt worked hard to secure possession while locks Jac Meredith and man of the match Kian Webb and the back row of Callum Smith, Chris Antellis-Davies and Robyn Williams were tireless in defence and in search of the loose ball

Gowerton crossed for three second half tries of their own with fly half Kaniewski grabbing a brace and scrum half Cort dotting down his second. With the hosts unable to add to their first half scores it was the visitors who claimed a narrow 26-21 victory.

Next up for Gowerton they host Bishop Vaughan.

Match report: Mr Cullen

Cefn Hengoed year 7: 28 Gowerton year 7: 12

Cefn Hengoed came out on top 28-12 in the year 7 game.

The teams were evenly matched in the first quarter and although both sides pressed for the first score, defences proved difficult to breach until the 17th minute when Jay Hutchins crossed for the hosts, dotting down after a darting run that took him clear. Hutchins proved to be the key player in the game crossing the line on three further occasions before half time and with Will Davies adding the extras to all four tries the hosts were comfortably in front 28-0 at the break.

The second half proved more promising for the visitors, playing with an increased tempo they were regularly able to get over the gain line with strong carrying from No. 8 Ryan Blyth, props Jack Hughes and Will McCreadie putting their team on the front foot. Their pressure bore fruit when a strong carry by No 8 Blyth was rewarded with a well deserved try. The score was confidently converted by fly half Ratti. Gowerton continued on the front foot and scored a second similar try when No.8 Blyth again powered over but it was unfortunately too little too late for the visitors and the hosts gained the victory their dominant first half performance merited.

Gowerton will now look to continue their development in a festival next week hosted by Olchfa.

Match report: Mr Tucker,