Spirited Gowerton turn the tables on Tregib for fine win.
XV 1af Tregwyr: 14 XV 1af Tregib : 7
Gowerton1st XV: 14 Tregib 1st XV: 7
Going nowhere: Tregib prop Rob Hall takes on Shane Harris-there was only one winner
Amddifffyn cadarn yn sail i fuddugoliaeth drawiadol
Committed defensive effort the foundation for impressive victory.
Gowerton got their post Christmas Welsh schools’ league fixtures underway when they entertained Tregib from Llandeilo at Elba. The visitors had won the first fixture between the two schools scoring four unanswered tries and the hosts knew they faced a tough task if they were to emerge with the spoils.
At kick off underfoot conditions were good, but there was a strong easterly wind blowing straight across the field that made passing very difficult, as a result defences were on top from the start and in this area Gowerton were well served by the unflinching tackling of prop Richard Keefe, locks Rhys Cherry and Sam Pridgeon, No.8 Joel Young, fly half Mathew Protheroe and centres Callum Macdermott and Shane Harris.
Gang tackle: Rhys Cherry and Joel Young smother an opponent.
At forward, the game was keenly contested, in the early stages Gowerton’s scrum held the upper hand, whilst Tregib enjoyed the better quality possession in the lineouts. With conditions unhelpful to handling, both teams looked to use their forwards as ball carriers and the visitors were well served by No.8 Alun Thomas and prop Robert Hall whilst locks Cherry and
Pridgeon were to the fore for Gowerton and the home team were kept on the front foot by the intelligent box kicking of scrum half Jonny Lloyd and in the 17th minute it was a kick from Lloyd that put the visitors under pressure in their ‘22’. Flanker Morgan Curtis regained possession and eventually lock Cherry, whose dynamic performance earned him the man of the match award who powered over beneath the posts for a try converted by fly half Protheroe.
Full back Will Bromham looks for space-Carry the ball in two hands Will.
Gowerton were now on the front foot and they doubled their lead in the 24thminute when another long kick, this time by wing Rob James, created the platform for fly half Protheroe to show his impressive all round skills when he spotted the space behind the hosts’ defence and chipped behind them 15 metres out and comfortably won the chase to score a try he converted himself.
The home team maintained their territorial dominance in the early stages of the second half with half backs Lloyd and Protheroe pinning Tregib back with their intelligent kicking. However, the visitors defended strongly and Gowerton were unable to extend their lead. In the final quarter, Tregib’s impressive fitness levels enabled them to dominate possession with livewire hooker Ceri Davies foraging tirelessly for the loose ball and they were rewarded with a try in the 65th minute when No.8 Thomas drove over from close range. Full back Matthew Davies converted.
Fly half Mathew Protheroe attempts to break through.
Protheroe is brought to ground and hooker Marcus Besley closes in.
Perfect technique:Protheroe presents the ball and Besley is joined by full back Will Bromham and flanker Morgan Curtis to secure the ball.
The try set up a tense finish, but the hosts stood firm and at full time deservedly had held on to win.
Gowerton travel to play Strade in their next game.
