Tuesday 6th December 2016.
Gowerton and Penyrheol enjoy mixed fortunes .
Penyrheol year 9: 17 Gowerton year 9: 35
Scrum half Kieron Bevan gave an excellent service to fly half Alex Hughes.
Gowerton’s year 9 team travelled to neighbours Penyheol in the first round of the Swansea schools cup and in a very competitive game it was the visitors who eventually came out on top and returned home winners 35-17.
The hosts were on top in the early stages with their half backs Iwan Morris and Ollie Rees controlling the game well and they deservedly opened the scoring with a try in the 12th minute from fly half Rees that was converted impressively from the touchline by scrum half Morris.
As Gowerton settled into the contest, their mobile forwards began to win an increasing share of possession with flankers Olly Freeman and Nathan Williams both livewires in the loose and the visitors were back on level terms just before the break when hooker Jay Jones drove into Penyrheol’s 22, he was hauled down just short of the line and scrum half Kieron Bevan fed strong running No.8 Darragh Cahill who powered over from short range, fly half Alex Hughes added the extras to leave the game very much in the balance at half time.
Whilst the first half had been evenly contested, it was the visitors who took control in the second period with scrum half Bevan’s excellent service allowing fly half Hughes to produce an impressive individual display that put his side on the front foot. In the 32nd minute, Hughes cleverly grubber kicked behind the defence, regathered his own kick and outstripped the cover to score a try he converted himself.
Penyrheol continued to carry a threat of their own and when the visitors spilt a ball in their 22, fly half Rees reacted first to gather and claim the score. However, in the 41st minute, Hughes stretched the lead with another fine individual score when he dummied his way through the defensive line and sprinted clear for a try he again converted. Five minutes later, Hughes completed his hat trick when he showed his strength to power over in the corner and then composed himself to add the extras from the touchline.
The hosts weren’t going to go out of the competition without a fight and they scored a third try when wing Ethan Davies sprinted to score in the corner. It was the visitors who had the final word when lock Sam Terry stripped possession in the hosts’ 22 allowing No.8 Cahill to power over for his second try. Hughes’ conversion brought his match haul to 25 points and he was deservedly named man of the match.
Gowerton returned home to await news of their quarter final components who will come from the Cefn Hengoed and Pentrehafod clash.
Penyrheol year 8: 31 Gowerton year 8: 0
The two schools also played a friendly at year 8 level and the hosts were convincing winners crossing for five unanswered tries with Ethan Thomas, Harri Blu, Tristan Thomas, Jayden Jones and Lewis Mason all scoring a try apiece. Others to impress for the hosts were flanker Iestyn Budge and lock Harry Meyrick. For the visitors, flanker Ben Cort worked tirelessly and fly half Paul Packham was always dangerous when in possession.
