Gowerton played St Augustine’s in Barlow Park as a curtain raiser to the local Reserve and A grade finals. There was a good crowd and also in attendance were Queensland Reds players Isaac Lucas and Moses Sorovi. Gowerton kicked off and St Augustine’s looked to utilise their big centre early on but a forward pass in midfield saw the 1st scrum of the game. Good work in the loose saw prop Mabon Kaniewski with a good turnover on the halfway line and some strong carries in the loose by prop Jacob Purcell and hooker Rhys Flower saw Gowerton try to break the St Augustine’s defence but to no avail. A St Augustine’s scrum saw some strong phases through the forwards before the ball was spread wide and their winger cut infield to score the games 1st try which went unconverted. Gowerton kept attacking with good carries from locks Zac Johns and Reid Davies and a penalty to Gowerton on half way saw an opportunity to kick to touch for an attacking lineout, but the ball was kicked over the deadball line and the chance was missed. 15mins in, Gowerton were awarded a scrum, but the big opposition pack put the scrum under pressure. No. 8 and man of the match Joe Richards managed to retrieve the call from the feet of the locks and went on a powerful run, supported by flanker Adam Williams. The ball was recycled and spread wide but a loose pass from full back Alex Hughes saw a chance go begging for winger Tom Richards.
Another penalty to Gowerton saw some attacking phases and flanker Will Griffiths crashed over under the posts. Iwan Jones added the conversion. St Augustine’s kept up their attacking pressure and when they were awarded a penalty for Gowerton going off their feet at a ruck, they opted to kick for the posts. The resulting kick was missed. Gowerton restarted with a 22m drop out, but a dog leg line of defence saw the St Augustine’s winger burst through the gap and race under the posts.
HT St Augustine’s 12 Gowerton 7
The 2nd half saw Gowerton restart and when the opposition 10 received the ball he faked a clearance kick and opted to attack from his own 22. The ball was thrown wide for another St Augustine’s try. Gowerton kept trying to break through and bustling centres James Northey and Tom Davies were involved in some attacking back plays, orchestrated by captain and fly half Iwan Jones. St Augustine’s had a well organised attack and went through forward phases well. Gowerton defended well but eventually too many Gowerton defenders had been sucked in and when the ball was spread wide St Augustine’s scored their 4th try of the game. Gowerton were clearly tired – the humid conditions and short space of time between their previous game saw the players struggle but we had the final say. Numerous phases saw a penalty awarded to Gowerton in St Augustine’s 22. Live wire scrum half Jacob Williams took a quick tap, sniped from the base of the ruck and offloaded to Will Griffiths for a try in the corner. Iwan Jones slotted the difficult conversion to make the final score St Augustine’s 24 Gowerton 14.
Match report: Mr Lewis
