Year 10 power to St. Helens.
CefnHengoed:15 Tregwyr: 24.
CefnHengoed:15 Gowerton: 24.
Mr Lewis gets his point across at half time.
Mr Lewis’ boots help Gowerton to ‘put their best foot forward’.
Sgidie Mr.Lewis yn galluogi Tregwyri rhoi “eutroed gorauar y blaen”
Team v Cefn Hengoed; Swansea Schools’ Cup Semi final
1. Richard Keefe (c) 9. Johnny Lloyd
2. Marcus Besley 10. Mathew Protheroe (v.c)
3. Dylan Treharne 11. Nathan Williams
4. James Tanner 12. Anthony Osborne
5. Jack Petherbridge 13. Liam Morgan
6. Scott Smith 14. Rhodri Tyrrell
7. Joel Young 15. Matthew Williams
8. Aaron Smith
Reps – Ryan John, Luke Williams, Sam Winrow, Amir Makaleh,
Special mention: Marcus Besley Stand out: Anthony Osborne.
Gowerton travelled to East Swansea to take on Cefn Hengoed in the semi-final of the Swanseaschools cup and having won the previous 3 fixtures between the schools, they were in confident mood. Both sides had been hit by injuries and unavailability and as a result they were both without a number of key players.
The game kicked off with a strong cross wind, and after an exchange of kicks, miscommunication between wing Nathan Williams and full back Matthew Williams led to the hosts taking the lead in the 2nd minute when Liam Roberts crossed. Gowerton then an exerted spell of pressure which led to fly half Mathew Protheroe running blind down the touchline to score a fine individual try which tied the score.
Liam Morgan, playing out of position in the centre, was in some discomfort midway through the half due to the fact that he was having to play wearing someone else’s boots. Mr. Lewis kindly offered to lend him his, but warned him that they may be a bit too fast for him and that the last time he’d played in them, he scored a hat-trick!! (Editor’s note: Mr Lewis forgot to mention that he scored it playing football and they were all in his own net!!!).
Playing out of position, centre Liam Morgan scored two tries thanks to Mr. Lewis’ boots.
Cefn Hengoed’s defence was standing up well to concerted Gowerton pressure, but when a backs move for the visitors appeared to have gone wrong, centre Morgan collected the loose ball to beat several players with strong running, big handoffs and Mr Lewis’ ‘superfast’ boots, and scored Gowerton’s 2nd try, converted by Matthew Protheroe.
Half time Gowerton 12 Cefn Hengoed 5.
The second half started well for the visitors with their pack on top of the game and dominating the forward exchanges. Although every player played magnificently well, special mention in the forwards must go to Marcus Besley, James Tanner and Joel Young (although Joel had to go off at half time injured). A quick tap penalty after 10mins of the 2nd half led to the ball being spread out wide and a strong run from Rhodri Tyrrell led to a third Gowerton try to make it 19-7.
Although Cefn Hengoed had started the game well, Gowerton’s dominance really began to show in the 2nd half, with the pack picking and going from scrums and rucks and getting over the gainline to good effect. This then led to centre Morgan cutting a good angle to score his second try of the match, and Gowerton’s fourth, which was converted by Matthew Protheroe. I told Liam the boots were fast!! Again, all the backs played really well, but Matthew Protheroe, Anthony Osborne and Liam Morgan were stand outs, and Nathan Williams playing out of position on the wing also did well.
It was the hosts who finished the stronger and both Liam Clarke and Jack Davies crossed, but it was too little, too late and at full time it was Gowerton who progressed to play Pontarddulais in the final at St. Helens.
Match report: Mr. Lewis (DT)
