Late tries deny yr 9 cup progress.
Jack Soproniuk leaps high to secure lineout possession.
Bishopstonyear9: 19 Gowerton year 9:10.
Gowerton’s cup hopes hit by late double strike.
Bishopston year 9 hosted Gowerton in the first round of the Swanseaschools’ cup. Bishopston had the significant advantage of the slope in the first half and made it count in the 2nd minute when centre Bradley Denty ran an excellent angle that allowed him to breach the visitors’ defence on half way and his pace allowed him to escape the cover and score beneath the posts. Centre Ben Cambriani added the conversion.
Ethan Guy powers into the heart of the Bishopston defence.
The visitors pressed for much of the rest of the half with their back row of Joe Brightkey, Jack Soproniuk and Jacob Ireland all prominent and they were only denied a score as a result of the hosts uncompromising defence with centre Denty, and No.8 and captain Sam Hyde both to the fore.
At the break, the hosts retained their lead, but Gowerton, buoyed by their first half performance and with the advantage of the slope in their favour were confident that they could turn things around.
In the 35thminute, Gowerton reduced the deficit when a long kick and chase out of defence by wing Elliot Rees established territory in the Bishopston half. Flanker Soproniuk won the lineout and lock Ethan Guy broke away from the ensuing maul, he offloaded to No.8 Jacob Ireland who showed an excellent turn of speed to score in the corner.
Gowerton were in front in the 40th minute when another long kick and chase, this time by full back Rhys Edwards put his team on the attack again. Soproniuk won another lineout and flanker Brightkey broke away from the maul to score in the corner.
Adam Fielding shows great technique carrying the ball in two hands.
The hosts now had to show their resilience and they bounced back impressively with 2 tries in the last 6 minutes. The architect of the turn around was centre Cambriani. In the 44thminute he packed down at No.8 at a scrum on halfway. He picked up and showed both his power and pace to score in the corner. Then with 3 minutes left, as Gowerton chased the game they spilled a pass in midfield, Cambriani reacted quickly to gather and sprint 40 metres to score beneath the posts. Full back Bruno Morris converted to seal the victory and it was Bishopston who progress to host the winners of tie between Morriston and Bishop Vaughan in the second round.
