Thursday 10th March 2016.
Year 11 cup hopes’ dashed.
Elliott Rees bursts down the touchline.
Gwyr year 11: 29 Gowerton year 11: 12
Gowerton made the short journey to play neighbours Gwyr in the semi final of the Swansea schools cup. The hosts have a proud record in the competition having been undefeated since they had started in school 4 years ago.
Good technique at the ruck.
However, that record was under serious threat when Gowerton led with 10 minutes left on the watch, but a determined late burst saw Gwyr cross for three, late unanswered tries and progress to the final.
Gowerton kicked off with the stiff breeze at their backs and with fly half Dexter Ryde, centre Sam Cambriani and full back Elliott Rees all kicking intelligently they dominated territory.
Flanker Jack Soproniuk was the dominant figure in the line outs and with prop Ollie Quick carrying strongly Gowerton were in front in the 15th minute when centre Sam Cambriani sliced through a gap and fed co-centre Sean Collins who crossed for a try that went unconverted.
The visitors continued to press but a combination of the hosts’ excellent defence coupled to a number of unforced errors meant that there were no further scores before the break.
The second period saw Gwyr boosted by having the breeze at their backs and with fly half Josh Thomas a threat with ball in hand and orchestrating play cleverly they were now the team on the front foot. The fact that they weren’t able to cross Gowserton’s line was down to the excellent defensive work of the hosts, for whom wing Adam Fielding, centre Cambriani and flanker Declan Duckworth all stood out.
Sam Cambriani prepares to clear his lines.
However, as the half reached its mid-point centre Harry Evans broke clear on half way. He was hauled down in the 22, but when the ball was recycled co-centre Llyr Gealy crossed, fly half Thomas converted to give his side the lead. Thomas stretched that lead 3 minutes later when he kicked a penalty from 20 metres.
Gowerton continued to have their share of the play and with 10 minutes to go they regained the lead when clever work by centre Cambriani put Collins into space 30 metres out, he burst through several would be tacklers to score a try that full back Rees converted.
Sean Collins attempts to charge down a kick.
Gwyr needed to respond quickly and they did so from the kick off when Gowerton failed to clear their line effectively and flanker Rhys Lewis profited with a try that Thomas converted.
Buoyed by that score, Gwyr finished on the front foot and No.8 Lloyd John crossed twice in the final five minutes. Thomas converted one and it was Gwyr who made their way into the final.
Photographs: Joe Legg yr 11.
