Tuesday 8^th December 2015.

Gowerton’s year 11 are Ospreys plate winners.

 Gowerton year 11: 28 Pencoed year 11: 7

Having won the Ospreys West plate with victory over Penyrheol, Gowerton’s year 11 team played Pencoed winners of the Ospreys East competition for the overall championship.

The game was scheduled to be played at the Gnoll, but the inclement weather meant the pitch was unfit and instead the game was moved to the all 4G surface at the Llandarcy Academy of Sport.

Underfoot conditions were ideal, but the strong wind made handling difficult. Gowerton had the advantage of the wind in the first half and were on the front foot from the kick off and opened the scoring in the 2^nd minute. Flanker Jack Soproniuk won clean possession at a lineout inside Pencoed’s 22. Initially the pack drove forward and with Pencoed’s fringe defenders committed, the ball was released and a great short pass to aggressive running centre Sean Collins allowed him to burst through the defence and score a try that full back Elliott Rees converted.

Pencoed responded with an extended spell of pressure deep in the 22 that stretched Gowerton’s defence to its limit, but with flanker Joe Bright, prop Ollie Quick, lock Ethan Guy and wing Rhys Edwards all working tirelessly they were kept at bay. In the 13^th minute, Gowerton broke out of defence and doubled their lead. Full back Rees and wing Adam Fielding combined well but the ball was knocked forward just short of the line. From the resulting scrum, flanker Key charged down the clearance kick, the ball bounced kindly for co flanker Soproniuk who gathered and dived over for a try that full back Rees again converted.

Gowerton’s forwards now took a strangle hold on the game with No.8 Jacob Ireland, hooker Aled Simons, lock Cameron Hogan and man of the match Quick all carrying strongly and with half backs Dexter Ryde and Sam Cambriani orchestrating play intelligently they controlled field position. Gowerton increased their lead in the 27^th minute. From a close range scrum, Ireland, Ryde and Cambriani combined well and centre Collins ran an excellent line to breach the defence for a try. Rees again added the extras.

After the break, with the wind at their backs Pencoed drove forward, again Gowerton’s defence was severely tested and they were indebted to the fine defensive work of prop Nathan Davies and lock Ryan Jones. With 40 minutes on the clock they laid the siege of their line with a surging run from No.8 Ireland, he was tackled on halfway, but when the ball was released fly half Ryde had a number of options and chose prop Quick on his inside shoulder who powered over for a try that Rees again converted.

Pencoed continued to push forward and were deservedly rewarded with a try in the final moments when centre Tom Bending crossed. Full back Morgan Howells converted but the final whistle followed shortly afterwards and it was Gowerton who lifted the trophy.

Gowerton’s day was capped, when former pupil and the recently crowned Welsh Sports Personality of the year Daniel Biggar visited the dressing room to congratulate the team on their efforts and Ollie Quick on his man of the match performance.