Thursday 1st February 2018
Gowerton School 1st XV: 20 Ysgol Bro Pedr (Lampeter) 1st XV: 5
Gowerton 1stXV hosted Ysgol Bro Pedr from Lampeter in the last 32 of the Welsh schools’ cup competition. The recent poor weather had led to the postponement of the tie on 3 previous occasions, as a result the game was moved to Waunarlwydd RFC where despite the rainfall the playing surface was in excellent condition and contributed to a competitive and very entertaining game in which both sides were prepared to move the ball at every opportunity.
The first half was evenly balanced, Bro Pedr had several strong ball carriers up front and a number of their backs had an ‘eye for the gap’ and were skilled with ball in hand. However, they were matched by the ball carrying of the hosts’ props Tom McCann and John Edwards and lock Kai Pressdee-all three are still only 16 but their power belied their youth as they continually got their team on the front foot by carrying over the advantage line. Another year 11 player to make an impression was lock Alex Jones who dominated the line outs securing Gowerton a regular supply of quality first phase possession.
Behind the pack, scrum half Iwan Jones impressed with his crisp service whilst his intelligent and accurate kicking game regularly gave the hosts field position from which centres Cameron Clayfield and Tom Davies and full back and captain Max Treharne were a constant threat with their intelligent running angles and elusive running .
A penalty conceded for offside and converted by scrum half Jones gave Gowerton a narrow advantage at the break. Just after the interval, a second Jones penalty doubled the hosts’ lead, but the game was still very much in the balance as it entered the final quarter.
Replacement scrum half Joel Matuschke ‘entered the fray’ with 15 minutes to go and maintained the excellent standard set by Jones who moved to fly half. The impetus created by Matuschke’s introduction had an almost immediate impact when a well organised forward drive resulted in a try for prop Edwards that Jones converted. The hosts secured victory with just over 5 minutes remaining when flanker Tim Perkins crossed for a try to which Jones again added the extras.
Bro Pedr deserved some reward for their efforts and it duly arrived just before the full time in the form of an unconverted try. At the final whistle, Gowerton progressed to the last sixteen where they have been drawn to travel to play Ysgol Maes yr Gwendraeth.
Match report: Mr Watts
