Wednesday 30th September 2015.
1st XV winning start halted.
Olchfa 1st XV: 19 Gowerton 1st XV: 7.
Effort aplenty but 1st XV can’t break down resolute Olchfa defence.
Gowerton’s 1st XV travelled to neighbours Olchfa looking to extend their unbeaten start to the season, but it was the hosts who ended up coming out on top 19-7.
Tom Ham releases his outside backs.
The game was a very competitive affair between two very well matched sides. For the hosts fly half Gabe Emery distributed skillfully whilst his opposite number Milo Fleming mixed the play up intelligently. The visitors had the stronger ball carriers with lock Sam Clark and props Tom Northey and Ollie Quick all carrying well whilst the hosts held the advantage in the contact area where the Toland brothers James and Elliott and prop Joel Barry all impressed.
Lock Sam Clark carried strongly.
Behind the scrum, the hosts had more pace with centre Ewan Gully a strong and elusive runner whilst for Gowerton scrum half Tom Ham’s sniping runs were a constant threat.
Scrum time.
Gowerton applied the early pressure, but the host’s defence was well organised and they were able to thwart their attacks and broke away to open the scoring in the 12th minute when lock Elliott Toland created space for centre Gully to cross in the corner. Olchfa now enjoyed a period of pressure with fly half Emery dictating play and they increased their lead in the 16th minute when centre Gully evaded some weak tackles in midfield and sprinted clear from half way to score a try he converted himself and at the break the hosts held a 12 point advantage.
Dexter Ryde gets to grips with his opposite number.
In the second period, Gowerton’s forward effort was bolstered by the strong running of replacements Ollie Quick and Jacob Ireland with Quick’s powerful scrummaging and ball carrying earning him the man of the match award. The hosts extended their lead midway through the half when excellent footwork by full back Joe Crosby created an opportunity for centre James Smart who crossed in the corner. Fly half Emery added the extras.
With 15 minutes to go, Gowerton reduced the deficit when strong runs by prop Northey and lock Clark set up a position deep in the Olchfa 22 and flanker Ireland powered over for a try that full back Olly Smith converted.
Above: Lewis Hyatt prepares to make a tackle. Below: Lewis gets the job done.
With the confidence of this score, the final quarter was spent with Gowerton on the attack, but the hosts’ defence was unyielding and the visitors were unable to add to their score.
