Thursday 24th March 2016.
Mixed fortunes for yr 7 & 8 at Cyfarthfa
Alex Hughes sprints clear.
Izaac Beck looks to pass.
Gowerton’s year 7 and 8 teams travelled to Merthyr to play Cyfarthfa High School and it finished honours even with both schools winning a game apiece. Both games were extremely competitive with the results of both being in the balance until the final whistle.
Teigue Williams sprints clear with Ethan Lee in support.
Cyfarthfa HS yr 8: 29 Gowerton yr 8: 27.
In the year 8 game it was the hosts who adapted first to the drizzle and wind and they scored two tries in the first 10 minutes with centres Harvey Williams and Keegan Abbrusseze crossing and with fly half Connor Murphy converting one they held a twelve point advantage.
The visitors needed to respond quickly and with the front row of Jack Bailey, Jamie Parry and Peter Legg-Davies all carrying strongly, they did so and No. 8 Leo Pietrapertosa crossed for a try that full back Alex Hughes converted.
However, the hosts continued to have the better of the exchanges and stretched their lead with two further Williams tries. Murphy added a conversion and Cyfarthfa led 24-7 at the break.
Cyfarthfa continued their dominance at the start of the second period and wing Josh Edwards raced 60 metres to stretch their lead.
Peter Legg-Davies drives forward
Gowerton’s resolve now faced a tough examination and with captain Teigue Williams and scrum half and man of the match Matthew Davies to the fore they came through it with flying colours. Williams reduced the deficit when he finished off good approach work from scrum half Davies with a try in the corner. From the kick off, a great break by full back Hughes saw him sprint 70 metres. He was overhauled just short of the line, but prop Legg-Davies made good ground to get in support and scored. A comeback was well and truly on the cards when No.8 Pietrapertosa grabbed his second try after good work by wing Ethan Lee and lock Sam Terry.
Then with two minutes to play, flanker Darragh Cahill was held up over the line and when the ball squirted clear, captain Williams reacted first to claim the score. However, with Gowerton unable to add the extras to any of their scores they trailed by two points and although they pressed in the final stages, the hosts defence held firm and at full time they claimed a deserved victory.
Alex Graham-Woollard fires out a pass.
Cyfarthfa HS yr 7: 15 Gowerton yr 7: 19.
In the year 7 fixture, Gowerton were well served by flankers Ben Cort and Kian Webb who tackled strongly and achieved a number of turnovers at the breakdown. No.8 Robin Williams ran strongly and full back Will Thomas looked dangerous whenever he had possession.
With time up on the clock, Gowerton trailed 15-14. However, centre Joe Hawkins-Cole was determined that his side were not going to leave empty handed and he powered through two defenders to score a try that clinched victory for the visitors.
Earlier Gowerton had replied to the hosts’ three tries with ones of their own from wing Rhys Searle and man of the match Hawkins-Cole both of which were converted by fly half Tom Griffiths. However, it was not until Hawkins-Cole’s late intervention that the visitors’ win was confirmed.
Jack Bailey scores.
