Wednesday 6th January 2016.
Last kick defeat thwarts 1st XV.
Penweddig School (Aberystwyth):18 Gowerton School 1st XV: 17
Collins’ brace not quite enough to clinch victory.
Gowerton School 1st XV got their post-Christmas fixtures underway when they travelled to Aberystwyth to play Penweddig.
Tom Ham looks for support.
Despite the journey, the visitors settled quickly and took the lead in the 2nd minute when a neat pass on half way from fly half Steffan Tyrrell released centre Jordan Richards, he sliced through a gap to sprint clear for a try that scrum half Tom Ham converted.
Olly Smith attacks the last defender.
The visitors continued to dominate the opening minutes and looked certain to add to their score, but a loose pass saw the ball go into touch. From the lineout, Penweddig kicked long, Gowerton failed to deal with the loose ball and when it squirted out, full back Daniel Thomas reacted quickly to gather and score in the corner.
Gowerton continued to dominate territory and both centre Richards and full back Olly Smith looked dangerous when in possession and they regained the lead in the 13th minute when the ball was moved wide from a scrum on half way and wing Sean Collins was able to beat his opposite number and sprint to the corner for a try that went unconverted.
The hosts reduced the deficit in the 22nd minute, when a loose pass in midfield was kicked ahead, Penweddig won the ball and scrum half Llyr Jones was on hand to score.
Jordan Richards looks to offload.
Three minutes later, the hosts were in front for the first time when Gowerton were penalised following a lineout in their 22 and centre Rhys Evans powered over in the corner.
At half time, Penweddig led 15-12.
Gowerton began the second half in determined fashion and with lock Ethan Harris dominating the lineouts they pressed for the score that would take them back in front and with prop Tom Northey and flanker Jacob Ireland both carrying strongly the score arrived in the 50th minute, when following a 5 metre scrum, the ball was again moved wide and wing Collins sprinted to the corner for his second try.
The hosts’ forwards now began to get on top and they were determined to get the score that would regain them the lead. That they were unable to do so initially, was due to some excellent defensive work with prop Ryan Hughes, hooker Ben Brown, centre Anthony Osborne and lock and man of the match Ethan Harris all making impressive contributions.
Steffan Tyrrell looks to use Sean Collins on a short ball.
However, with time up on the watch, the hosts were awarded a 5 metre scrum from which fly half Joe Williams dropped a goal to win the game by the narrowest of margins. The final whistle followed and the hosts celebrated their last gasp triumph.
