Pack power takes Olchfa to St. Helens.
Gowerton year 7: 7 Olchfa year 7: 17
Olchfa’s year 7 team produced a powerful forward performance that saw them defeat Gowerton to progress to the Swansea schools cup final.
The heavy rain during the day meant that the Elba was unplayable and the hosts had to concede home advantage and travel to Olchfa where the pitches were in very good condition.
Having defeated Gowerton earlier in the season, Olchfa were the favoured team and started well applying pressure on the visitors’ line with hooker Ben Davies and flanker Luke Evans both prominent. However, Gowerton’s resilient defence proved difficult to breach with No.8 Tim Perkins, flanker Mabon Kaniewski and wings Oliver Bruce and Daniel Warne all defending tenaciously.
Inevitably the pressure told and centre Callum Dodd crossed. Fly half Tristan James converted. Gowerton restarted in determined fashion and although possession was limited the elusive running of centre Ben Petherbridge and full back Matthew Newcombe allowed them to create opportunities and Newcombe scored with a run from inside his own half. Fly half and captain Joel Matuschke converted to tie the scores.
That score spurred the bigger Olchfa pack into action and they attacked with their forwards running hard and wing Jake Makay a constant threat with ball in hand. Gowerton’s defence, again initially stood firm with the front row of Rhys Flower, rhys Jones and Connor Williams all defending strongly, but things were looking ominous and inevitably Olchfa broke through. First No.8 Adam Johns crossed and soon afterwards lock Louis Gillet powered over. Fly half James added a conversion and at the final whistle it was Olchfa who were through to Wednesday’s final at St. Helen’s kick off 4.00pm.
