Thomas brace sees year 8 home.
Warm up: Iwan, Danny and Bradley prepare for the game.
Penyrheol year 8: 0 Gowerton year 8: 24.
Four try Gowerton triumph at Penyrheol.
Gowerton’s year 7 and 8 rugby teams travelled to play Penyrheol in two friendly fixtures. Despite the recent poor weather, the pitches at Penyrheol were in remarkably good condition although a strong downfield wind made passing difficult throughout. Nevertheless, in both games the handling of all the players was excellent with players regularly opting to run the ball rather than kick for position.
Sidestep: Jamie Skipper looks to beat the covering defenders.
In the year 8 game, Gowerton eventually triumphed 24-0, but the score line was inflated by two tries in the last five minutes and until that point the result was very much in the balance.
The hosts were well served by No.8 and captain Rhydian Lerwell was a powerful ball carrier, whilst behind the scrum centre Ryan Jones and wing Harris Williams were strong and elusive runners.
Support: Ben Grunhut and Garin Thomas join a maul.
The visitors had a strong front row with hooker Tom McCann well supported by props Nicholas Gabriel and Bradley Davies-Steele while flankers Leon Bevan and man of the match Morgan Grey worked tirelessly and were fearless in defence. Behind the scrum fly half and captain Cameron Clayfield and centres James Northey and Danny Thomas distributed unselfishly and skilfully giving wings Byron Davies and Jack Cosker and full back James Williams plenty of opportunity to show their running skills.
Gowerton kicked off playing into the strong wind and struck first in the 5th minute when a strong run from powerful No.8 Garin Thomas established a position in the hosts ’22 and fly half Clayfield fed wing Cosker who did well to squeeze over in the corner.
At half time, the hosts trailed 5-0, but despite having the wind in their faces it was they who started the second half on the front foot with No.8 Lerwell leading his team well, but the visitors’ defence with scrum half Jacob Williams prominent refused to break and it was Gowerton who extended their lead when a great run by wing Will Griffiths was halted just short, No.8 Thomas was on hand to gather and score.
Team talk: Mr Watts plans the second half.
With five minutes left, an excellent run by wing Davies created a position which allowed flankers Grey and Bevan to work together, the latter claimed the touchdown that effectively sealed the win. Fly half Clayfield converted.
Penyrheol stormed back and wing Harris Williams looked certain to score only to be stopped by a great tackle by Clayfield and with possession turned over another great run by wing Davies created the opportunity for No.8 Thomas to grab his second try. Clayfield’s conversion was followed by the final whistle.
Gowerton will look to continue their good form when they travel to Bishopston on Tuesday.
