Gowerton start sevens season with impressive wins.
In preparation for the forthcoming sevens season, Gowerton, Gwyr and Bryntawe competed against each other in a small tournament organised by Gwyr’s sixth form students at Elba.
Having lost last week to the combined Gwyr/Tawe side, Gowerton were keen to redress the balance and did so, in the process playing some impressive 7-a-side rugby.
Gowerton’s first game was against Bryntawe and they achieved a convincing win scoring eight unanswered tries with Marcus Besley (2), Milo Fleming, Anthony Osborne, Steffan Tyrrell, Tom Northey, Olly Smith and Richard Keefe all crossing the whitewash.
Bryntawe were well served by Gethin Bennett and Iestyn Williams, whilst Rob Tanner defended strongly.
Gowerton next played tournament hosts Gwyr and with their opponents containing Ospreys under 18s full back James Davies and centre Gareth Thomas in their ranks they knew they faced a tough challenge. Buoyed by there performance against Bryntawe, Gowerton started strongly and raced into a four try lead by half time. They took the lead when good work by Tom Ham and captain Joel Young allowed Marcus Besley to cross. A snipe down the blindside of a ruck by Milo Fleming allowed him to grab the second try before a break by Gowerton’s player of the tournament Steffan Tyrrell allowed Gowerton’s impressive Ospreys under 18s fly half Phil Jones to score. A break by Anthony Osborne saw him add a fourth score before the break.
The hosts responded positively thanks to the prompting of Daniel Messer and Mason Williams and cut the deficit with two well worked scores, but Gowerton’s victory was confirmed when another incisive break by Phil Jones saw him grab his second try.
In the other game, Gwyr defeated Bryntawe.
Gowerton year 10: 21 Gwyr year 10: 36
Gowerton entertained neighbours Gwyr in a year 10 friendly and in a game that saw fortunes fluctuate throughout it was the visitors who eventually emerged on top.
Gowerton pressed from the kick off and with their front five driving forcefully they looked the more likely to open the scoring, but the visitors defence was unflinching and in the 18th minute it was Gwyr who took the lead when elusive wing Jonathan James beat two defenders to touch down for a score converted by centre Liam Scott. The visitors doubled their lead two minutes later when No 8 Sam Melmoth drove over from short range. Scott again converted.
The hosts were well served at the lineouts by flanker Jack Soproniuk who delivered a regular supply of quality possession and they were on the board in the 24th minute when centre Adam Fielding sliced outside his opposite number to cross for a try that full back Elliott Rees converted. The visitors re-established their 14 point advantage before half time when wing James again eluded two defenders and crossed for his second try. Scott added the extras.
The second half kicked off with the game following a similar pattern. For Gowerton, No.8 Jacob Ireland, prop Nathan Davies and man of the match, prop Olly Quick all carried strongly whilst the visitors had the more dangerous counter attackers with both wing James and centre Scott proving more than a handful for the hosts.
Gowerton’s captain Rhys Edwards was denied twice in the first five minutes of the half by brave tackles from full back Rhydian Luckwell, but their pressure eventually told when prop Quick won possession and No.8 Ireland fed scrum half Patrick Langdon-Dark who scored and full back Rees again converted.
Back came the visitors and wing James completed his hat trick with a try that again showed off his pace and footwork. However, with 10 minutes left the game was very much in the balance when Gowerton reduced the deficit to five points after good work by prop Quick and lock Ethan Guy allowed fly half Dexter Ryde to release centre Fielding with an excellent pass and he scored his second try that Rees again converted.
The visitors sealed victory with two tries in the final 6 minutes. The first came when centre Nathan Buist charged down an attacking kick in midfield and re-gathered to score before fine offloading allowed lock Iwan Mason to claim the final score of the game.
Olchfa year 9: 22 Gowerton: 5
Gowerton’s year 9 team travelled to Olchfa in the quarter final of the Swansea schools cup and started the game with great energy and enthusiasm. But it was the hosts who were on to the board first when No.8 Jacob Hopkins powered over, Tom Aden added the conversion. The hosts pressed for a second score and the fact that they weren’t able to add to their initial score was down to some excellent defensive work that was led by No.8 Lewis Grove and flanker Lewis Pennington..
Olchfa deservedly scored a second try in the corner when wing Ollie Winchester crossed. Gowerton responded when scrum half Cameron Clayfield and lock Garin Thomas both had good runs, but at the break Olchfa led 12-0.
In the second half Olchfa added further tries from hooker Jamie Fairburn and flanker Iestyn Cole before Gowerton had the final word when Jacob Hopkins grabbed a consolation score.
At full time it was the hosts who deservedly progressed to the next round and they will travel to Penyrheol in the semi final.
Gowerton year 7 v Bryngwyn year 7.
Gowerton year 7s entertained Llanelli school Bryngwyn at both A and B level and in two closely fought contests it was the visitors who won both games. They triumped 7-0 in the A team game by virtue of a try from Rhydian Jenkins converted by Sam Wooler. There were good performances from Jay Guard and Dylan Gregory.
The hosts were well served by half backs Matthew Davies and Gavin Williams, centre Sam Cartwright and flanker Ryan Stagg.
In the B team game they came out on top 12-0 with Ethan Roberts and James Ballentine crossing for tries and Morgan Meloni adding a conversion. The visitors were well served by Cameron Fountain.
Gowerton’s centre Owen Parry and Alex Davies, lock Brad Evans, fly half Connor Bevan and full back Sean Garrington all did well.
