Bishop Gore year 8: 15 Gowerton year 8: 24
Gowerton’s year 8 team travelled to Bishop Gore in confident mood having been undefeated this year. They returned with their record in tact but were pushed all the way by a spirited Bishop Gore team.
The visitors were on the front foot from the start, but Bishop Gore’s defence was committed with centre Luca Conte and flanker Nick Rees particularly impressive and Gowerton were unable to turn their early pressure into points. In the 6th minute, Bishop Gore opened the scoring with an excellent individual try from No.8 Callwyn Martin. He turned the ball over at a maul just outside his 22 and then showed both power and pace to sprint clear of several would be tacklers to score.
Gowerton’s forwards re-established control with props Jack Rix and Cameron Davies, wing John Edwards and No. 8 Tim Perkins all carrying strongly. The visitors took a stranglehold on the game with a four try burst in the final 15 minutes of the half.
In the 11th minute, strong runs by wing Edwards and No.8 Perkins took the visitors to within 10 metres of the hosts’ line and prop Davies, whose powerful performance in both attack and defence earned him the man of the match award, crashed over to tie the scores.
Three minutes later, a fine run by flanker Rhys Jones freed No.8 Perkins and he crossed for the second try that fly half and captain Joel Matuschke converted.
On 20 minutes, good work by wing Kobe Bowen, hooker Rhys Flower and lock James Ridgway allowed lock Connor Williams to drive through two defenders and score a try again converted by Matuschke.
On the stroke of half time, strong running from No.8 Perkins and lock Williams gave centre Ben Petherbridge the opportunity to show his excellent footwork and score the visitors’ fourth try and their lead at the break was 24-5.
The second half saw Bishop Gore responding positively. Prop Robbie Nicholls carried strongly and hooker Tom Rees competed well at the breakdown and the only scores of the second half went to the hosts.
In the 37th minute, Gowerton were penalised 10 metres from their line. The kick was taken quickly and there was no stopping No.8 Martyn who grabbed his second try. Then with six minutes left, centre Ike Fabb contributed an excellent individual score when he gained possession inside his 22 and showed a fantastic turn of speed to sprint clear and put the result back in the balance.
Bishop Gore pushed for another score, but Gowerton weren’t going to have victory taken from their grasp and with prop Ethan Hall, prop Mabon Kaniewski, flanker Alex Jones and wings Olly Bruce and Daniel Warne all showing up well in defence, they maintained their lead to gain a win their fine first half performance had earned.
Gowerton year 8.
Back from left: Mr Mike Lewis (coach), Olly Bruce, Kori Barton, Jack Rix, Alex Jones, Cameron Davies, Connor Williams, Mabon Kaniewski, John Edwards, Tim Perkins, Charlie Williams, Rhys Flower, Rhys Jones.
Front from left: Charlie Smith, Daniel Warne, Jacob Rees, Kobe Bowen, Ben Petherbridge, Matthew Newcombe, Joel Matuschke (capt), Elliott Slocombe, James Ridgway, Jac Simons, Josh Thomas, Jacob Turatto, Ethan Hall.
