Year 7 run ends at Penyrheol.
Good technique: Ben Petherbridge commits the defender before passing.
Penyrheol year 7: 14 Gowerton year 7: 7.
Second half fight back denies Gowerton’s defensive effort.
The year 7 game was just as keenly fought. Both teams had been in good form recently and were undefeated since September. In the end it was the hosts’ strong second half fight back that saw them claim the win.
Strong running: Mabon Kaniewski carried impressively.
Gowerton had the benefit of the wind in the first half and with locks James Rees and Oliver Ridgway dominating the contact area and No.8 Tim Perkins, flanker Rhys Jones and prop Mabon Kaniewski all carrying impressively they had the better of the territory and opened the scoring when good work from centre Ben Petherbridge freed full back Matthew Newcombe who crossed for a try that captain and fly half Joel Matuschke converted.
There were no further scores before half time and it was the hosts who controlled the second period. Fly half Joe Burder marshalled his backs impressively, No.8 Steffan Davison ran strongly while full back Tom Lewis ran elusively and displayed good breakdown skills.
The visitors defended with great determination and fly half Matuschke, wings Charlie Smith, Alex Jones and Cori Barton all made telling defensive contributions. Hooker Rhys Flower made one excellent try saving tackle. It was scrum half Jac Simons whose excellent service gave his half back partner Matuschke time on the ball and who tackled aggressively who took the man of the match award.
Good friends: After the game John Edwards sportingly congratulated the winners.
It seemed inevitable that Penyrheol would score and centre James Beech and flanker Jacob Rees both crossed for tries that fly half Burder converted to give the hosts a deserved victory. Gowerton will be looking to get back on the winning trail when they travel to play Bishopston on Tuesday.
