Wednesday 11^th November 2015.

Gowerton bounce back against Bryntawe

Gowerton 1^st XV: 19 Bryntawe 1^st XV: 0.

           Gowerton’s 1^st XV bounced back from their cup exit at the hands of Ysgol Bro Dinefwr when they defeated Bryntawe 19-0 at the Elba. The game was very competitive and the result was very much in the balance until the final 10 minutes.

The visitors kicked off with Gowerton having the advantage of the strong breeze in the first half and with half backs Milo Fleming and Olly Smith using it intelligently the hosts controlled field position in the early stages. With the front row of Tom Northey, Ben Brown and Ollie Quick all carrying strongly they threatened an early score which duly arrived in the 9^th minute. Pressure from lock Callum Batcup forced the visitors to concede a 5 metre scrum. Captain Northey attacked the blindside and fed scrum half Fleming who slid over in the corner. Fly half Smith added the extras with an excellent kick from the touchline.

Boosted by the confidence of the score Gowerton were now on the front foot with centres Jacob Ireland and Jordan Richards, full back Elliott Rees and wing Jacob Arnold all looking dangerous in possession. In the 18^th minute an excellent run by Ireland saw him break clear, he committed the last defender and fed his partner Richards who strode over beneath the posts for a try that fly half Smith converted.

With Gowerton’s discipline letting them down, Bryntawe attacked for the rest of the half and the fact that they kept their line in tact was down to their impressive defensive work with locks Batcup and Jason Stagg and No.8 Ethan Harris all to the fore.

After the break, the visitors continued to enjoy the better of the territory with scrum half Rob Jones a constant threat around the fringes and with flanker Iestyn Davies controlling the breakdown, Bryntawe had plenty of possession that provided strong running centre Cai Thomas and pacy outside backs Bryn James and Jack Hughes with ample opportunities to attack. However, Gowerton’s defence remained unbreakable with man of the match Arnold and full back Rees both impressive.

With 8 minutes left on the watch, Gowerton secured victory with a fantastic individual try from full back Rees. Fly half Smith gathered a difficult pass on his own try line and fed his full back who showed an excellent turn of speed and impressive footwork to beat 4 defenders in a run that took him the length of the field for a try that went unconverted.

There were no further scores and at full time it was Gowerton who were victors although the visitors could take great credit from their performance.

Wednesday 25^th November 2015.

Gowerton 1^st XV: 3 Gwyr 1^st XV: 12.

          Captain Tom Northey prepares for the game against neighbours Gwyr.

           Gowerton School 1^st XV entertained Gwyr at Gowerton RFC in the Aquazone sponsored Ospreys league. The visitors arrived having won all their previous games and keen to maintain that record whilst the hosts were hoping to dent their neighbours’ perfect record.

From the kick off the visitors were immediately on to the front foot, with their well drilled pack for whom prop Tom Evans, flanker Tom Davies and No.8 Jacob Miles were all prominent, taking the game to the hosts. However, despite their early pressure they were unable to breach the hosts’ defence with hooker Ben Brown, lock Jason Stagg and No.8 Ethan Harris all defending strongly.

Gowerton possessed the more incisive runners behind the scrum, with fly half Olly Smith distributing well and centres Kieran Charles and Anthony Osborne and full back Milo Fleming all looking dangerous with ball in hand whilst outstanding scrum half Tom Ham was a constant threat with his indefatigable effort meaning that he was tenacious in both attack and defence.

In the 10^th minute Gowerton opened the scoring when man of the match Charles ran an excellent line that allowed him to breach the visitors’ defence and take the ball deep into Gwyr’s half. At the ensuing ruck, the visitors were penalised for off side and fly half Smith stepped up to convert the penalty from 30 metres.

The visitors’ pack continued to have the better of the forward exchanges and with scrum half Ben Ley snapping at their heels effectively they took the lead in the 16^th minute when good work by hooker Gethin Bennett and flanker Davies gave centre Mason Williams the room to cross in the corner.

Buoyed by the confidence of this score, Gwyr continued to press forward and were rewarded in the 26^th minute when a clever chip over Gowerton’s defensive line by fly half Josh Thomas was gathered by centre Dafydd Moscrop who sprinted clear to touch down beneath the posts. He converted himself and at the break the visitors held a 12-3 advantage.

In the second half, as the heavier Gwyr pack tired, the hosts’ forwards gained the upper hand with props Tom Northey and Ryan Hughes scrummaging strongly, locks Stagg and David Carpanini working tirelessly and with No.8 Harris the dominant presence in the line-outs Gowerton monopolised possession. Scrum half Ham’s energy made him a constant threat and Gowerton enjoyed the greater territory and pressure, but Gwyr’s defensive effort was unyielding and refused to be broken and the second half remained scoreless.

At full time, it was the visitors who had earned a victory that meant they retained their unbeaten tag.