Tough start for 1st XV.
Dechreuad anodd i’r XV 1af.
Gowerton lock Sam Winrow leaps to try to win lineout possession.
Olchfa 1stXV: 27 Gowerton 1stXV: 0
XV1af Olchfa: 27 XV 1af Tregwyr: 0
Plenty of effort, but much work needs to be done if 1st XV are to get that ‘winning feeling’.
Digon o ymdrech ond bydd angen mwy o waith er mwyn cael teimliad o lwyddiant.
Scrum half Callum Macdermott
Man of the match Tom Wedlake.
Gowerton travelled to play Olchfa in their first Welsh Schools’ league game. Both teams were determined to get off to a winning start and in the first half it was the visitors who dominated territorially with hooker Rhys Cherry and prop Richard Keefe both powerful ball carriers. Half backs Callum Macdermott and Ross Young both looked to release their backs at every opportunity and with centres Lewis Keen and Luke Jenkins both looking dangerous it seemed inevitable that Gowerton would score. However, Olchfa’s defence was organised and committed and with flanker and captain Alistair Hewins, lock Mitchell Drewson and debutant No.8 Joe Browett all to the fore they managed to repel Gowerton’s attacks.
Ross Young makes a tackle in midfield.
In fact it was the hosts who registered the first try in the 30th minute. They drove upfield and although they were initially denied, being held up over the line, from the scrum that followed, the hard working Browett picked up and crossed for a try. At half time the hosts held a narrow advantage, and Gowerton were confident that they could turn things around in the second half. However, after the break, Olchfa, buoyed by their late first half score were very much on the front foot and with fly half Sam Hawkes dictating play impressively it was their turn to dominate field position. That they were initially unable to add to their first half score was down to the commitment of Gowerton’s defence for whom captain and man of the match, Tom Wedlake, lock Sam Winrow and flanker Morgan Curtis were all outstanding.
Gowerton ‘guest’ Jack Lee makes a tackle on his opposite number.
The pressure eventually told and Olchfa crossed for four further tries. They were scored by lock Drewson in the 54th minute, fly half Hawkes, in the 59th minute, speedy wing Jack Lee in the 65th minute and No.8 Bradley Evans in the final minute. Fly half Hawkes added the extras to the final try to give his team a convincing victory 27-0.
Next week Olchfa will look to continue their fine start when they travel to Strade, whilst Gowerton will be hoping for a change of fortunes when they host Bro Myrddin from Carmarthen.
