Wednesday 18th October 2017
Olchfa School 1st XV: 12 Gowerton School 1st XV: 18
It was second against third in the Ospreys schools Premier league when Gowerton’s 1st XV travelled to local rivals Olchfa. An early fumble by the visitors put the hosts on the attack and with their forwards carrying strongly in pods Gowerton found it difficult to contain them. Olchfa’s early pressure was rewarded when some neat offloading resulted in them crossing for the opening try in the 5th minute. Gowerton responded immediately and two minutes later, their impressive front row of Kai Presdee, Ethan Hall and Ben Brown produced a dominant scrum that put No.8, Matthew Hutchinson onto the front foot, he chipped ahead and centre Cameron Clayfield won the chase to touch the ball down.
The hosts responded with their strong midfield runners looking dangerous with ball in hand and Gowerton’s loose forwards, Will Griffiths and Lewis Grove were regularly called upon to thwart their attacks.
A probing kick, deep into Olchfa’s half by centre Dexter Ryde resulted in the hosts being penalised for offside and Ryde stepped up to put his side in front.
The joint players of the match, Gowerton’s props Ethan Hall and Kai Pressdee remained dominant in the tight and when they took a scrum against the head, No.8 Hutchinson picked up from the base, strong carries from hooker Ben Brown and lock Ben Grunhut, followed by a searching kick into the Olchfa 22 by fly half Tom Barrington allowed centre Clayfield to benefit again and cross for his side’s second try, Ryde added the extras and then with the final kick of the half coolly slotted a penalty awarded for offside, that gave his side an18-5 advantage at the break.
The second period saw the hosts looking to get the ball wide at every opportunity as they pressed for a score to get back into the game but Gowerton’s wings Adam Beddow and Joe Legg were solid in defence and kept them at bay. Olchfa were looking to up the pace of the game and with the visitors’ defence struggling to cope, they were reduced to 14 men when they were penalised and failed to retire the required 10 metres. With a quarter of the game left, Olchfa pressed in an attempt to make their numerical advantage count and reduced the deficit when quick thinking saw them snipe around the side of a ruck for a try that was converted to put the result back in the balance.
Gowerton’s defensive effort was becoming increasingly desperate, they were conceding penalties regularly which the hosts chose to kick to touch looking to attack using their driving lineout. But with scrum half Iwan Jones outstanding, Gowerton’s defence was resilient and refused to yield.
With time almost up, another penalty allowed the hosts a final opportunity, they kicked to the corner, secured the possession 5m out but somehow prop Pressdee ripped the ball from the maul, the ball was cleared to touch and the final whistle followed securing a deserved win for the visitors who retain their second place in the league.
Match report: Mr Lewis
Ystalyfera year 11: 12 Gowerton year 11: 7
Eight members of Gowerton’s year 11 team have been selected in the Ospreys West under 16 squad 2017/8:
In the photograph from left: Tom Davies, Joel Matuschke, Tim Perkins, Matthew Hutchinson,
Mr Nigel Jones (Headteacher), Connor Williams, Kai Pressdee, John Edwards.
Unavailable for the photograph: Ben Petherbridge
Earlier in the week, the Year 11 team travelled to Ysgol Ystalyfera for their first fixture of the season knowing that if previous encounters were anything to go by a tough game was to follow. The hosts started well with the back row running strongly and intelligent play from the outside half Jack Tregoning kept the visitors on the back foot. Gowerton’s front row of John Edwards, Jac Simons and Kai Pressdee attempted to put Gowerton on the front foot with strong running, but robust defence supported by good work at the breakdown which led to several turnovers restricted the visitors’ progress.
The powerful Gowerton scrum gave the backs plenty of possession, and centre and man of the match Tom Davies well supported by centre partner Jacob Turatto ran elusively finding space in the midfield, but the hosts’ aggressive and vociferous defence proved difficult to breach and it was they who grabbed the first try of the game when after a series of good rucks following a lineout, the ball was swept back to the blind side for Ben Sneddon to score. The hosts continued to apply pressure and only a try saving tackle by wing Olly Bruce prevented a second score, but they did get their reward when fly half Tregoning exploited some ‘dog leg’ defence to score beneath the posts. Gowerton finished the half the stronger side but without gaining any reward for their efforts and at the break the hosts held a 12 point advantage.
The visitors started the second period as they ended the first, on the front foot. Flanker Jacob Rees and No.8 Matthew Hutchinson were becoming increasingly influential and with scrum half Joel Matuschke marshalling the pack well the backs began to find more space. Full back Matthew Newcombe and wings Daniel Warne and Olly Bruce were testing the Ystalyfera defence. The breakthrough came when powerful ball carrying from locks Mabon Kaniewski and Connor Williams resulted in the latter crashing over from short range. Fly half Charlie Smith added the conversion.
Gowerton continued to press for the score that could bring them victory, but the hosts’ resolute defence refused to yield and at the final whistle they’d held on for a hard earned win.
Match report: Mr Lewis
Year 10 win two and lose one at Pontarddulais festival
The year 10 team travelled to play in the Ospreys West festival and returned with wins against Olchfa and Pentrehafod and a defeat against Pentrehafod from their three games.
In all three games, fly half Keiron Bevan was an excellent runner with the ball, crossing for six tries, flanker Sam Terry worked tirelessly in both attack and defence and co-flanker Ryan Stagg supplied the team with excellent line out ball throughout. .
Behind the scrum, Sam Cartwright who was recently returned after being out injured for more than a year showed some nice touches in difficult conditions and Izaak Beck carried the ball strongly.
Match report: Mr Watts.
Mixed fortunes for years 7 and 8 at Pontarddulais.
Gowerton’s year 7 and 8 teams travelled to Pontarddulais and the two schools achieved a victory apiece.
The hosts came out on top 29-7 in the year 8 game the hosts possessed a powerful pack with flanker Rhys Chapman and prop Ben Rees both stand out performers and with fly half Finley Evans controlling play effectively Gowerton struggled to contain them. They led 24-0 at half time with full back Iwan Evans, wing Sam Smith, flanker Adam Thomas and prop Jack Strode all crossing for tries, two of which were converted by fly half Evans.
Gowerton produced a heartening second half performance with hooker Marley Bushell, prop Charlie Owen, flanker Logan Miller, No.8 Jac Meredith and man of the match Cian Jenkins all tackling strongly and they restricted the hosts to one further try scored by full back Evans.
Boosted by their stronger defensive effort, Gowerton carried a threat with ball in hand and full back Ceiran Gratrix, wing Luca Garner-Beynon and fly half Jake Riordan all ran elusively resulting in a try by centre Cai Rees that was converted by fly half Riordan.
However, it was the year 7 team that produced the ‘Performance of the week’ winning their first game as a school team together defeating a bigger and more aggressive Pontarddulais team 19-12.
The squad arrived strengthened by female players Ella Williams and Ffion Cort who both made their debut. Ella produced some lovely mazy running on the wing, while Ffion offered some tenacious steel up front.
Others who impressed for Gowerton were Sam John who showed up well in his new role as fly half, lock Fynn Sutton who ran hard and proved difficult to tackle and No.8 Harvey Thomas who led the team as Captain for the first time and was awarded man of the match. Other notable contributions came from Jake Brophy and Tristan John up front and Ben Williams and Charlie Steadman behind.
Tries were scored by fly half John, full back Cameron Bews and No.8 Thomas who also added two conversions.
Match report: Mr Thomas.
Next week the 1st XV entertain Christ College, Brecon at Gowerton RFC kick off 6pm in the 7th annual memorial match for their much respected former Head of PE, Robert Evans.
