Tuesday 29th September 2015.
Yr 9 storm back to take the spoils.
Perkins’ treble keeps yr 9 on track for the Welsh Cup
Dwr–y–Felin year 9: 33 Gowerton year 9: 43.
Joel Matuschke fires out a pass to Charlie Williams.
Year 9 travelled to Dwr-y-Felin school in Neath for their second group game in the Welsh schools under 14 cup and returned home having earned a confident 43-33 victory.
It was the Neath school that settled first and they took the lead in the opening minute when centre Connor Birdsey broke through some weak tackles on half way and strode clear for a try that co-centre Dan Giles converted.
Gowerton were on the board with their first try two minutes later when powerful prop Cameron Davies charged into the hosts’ 22. From the ruck, the ball was moved wide but the hosts defence was strong and they were able to repel the visitors’ attack. However, Gowerton stole the ball at the resulting 5 metre lineout and No.8 Tim Perkins drove over to score.
Alex Jones secures the lineout that leads to Gowerton’s first try.
During the next quarter, it was the hosts who carried the greater threat with half backs Tom Peet and Ollie Burrows distributing well and they stretched their lead in the 16th minute when excellent handling across the team allowed full back Harry Davies to touch down. Two minutes later the visitors responded when No.8 Perkins kicked ahead and although he was held up over the line, from the ensuing scrum the ball was moved wide allowing wing Charlie Smith to cross in the corner. Gowerton were then in front for the first time three minutes before half time when No.8 Perkins grabbed his second try after strong running by centre Charlie Williams and lock Alex Jones put him clear. Fly half Joel Matuschke added the extras and at the break Gowerton led 17-12.
Try scorer Charlie Smith evades a tackle.
In the second period, the visitors stretched their lead with an outstanding individual try which allowed man of the match Perkins to complete his hat-trick. Gathering the ball on his own try line, he appeared hemmed in by opponents, but impressive footwork allowed him to evade several would be tacklers, he was quickly in the clear and showed great pace to outstrip the chasers to score a try that scrum half Jac Simons converted.
Cameron Davies powers over for our fifth try.
The end to end nature of the game continued when the hosts’ wing Harry Mugford, whose pace posed a constant threat, gathered a misdirected kick and sprinted 40metres for a try centre Giles converted.
Man of the match Tim Perkins leaves opponents in his wake as he scores his third try.
Gowerton’s forwards began to gain the upper hand with lock Connor Williams and prop Mabon Kaniewski carrying strongly and they effectively sealed the tie with three tries in a ten minute period in the middle of the half. First, prop Cameron Davies powered over from 20 metres, then a good run by centre Ben Petherbridge allowed co-centre Jacob Turatto to score before full back Matthew Newcombe scored another excellent individual try when he beat several defenders in his ’22 and then showed his speed to outstrip the cover and sprint the length of the field. Simons and Matuschke added a conversion apiece.
Although the game was effectively over, the hosts refused to wilt and had the final word with two tries in the last ten minutes from prop Ben Francis and strong running No.8 Trystan Davies. Giles and lock Dai Davies each added a conversion but it was Gowerton who returned home with the spoils.
Next week Gowerton travel to Bryntawe and another win should guarantee their progress into the knock out stages.
