Tuesday 24^th November 2015.

Year 11 triumph at St. Helen’s.

 Gowerton year 11: 31 Penyrheol year 11: 17.

 Elliott Rees’s 14 point haul tips the St. Helen’s final Gowerton’s way.

 Gowerton’s victorious year 11 squad

 Back from left: Mr David Watts (coach), Sam Nicholson, Jacob Ireland, Sean Collins, Sam Cambriani (capt), Joe Bright, Ethan Guy, Daniel Sherman, Cameron Hogan, Adam Fielding, Rhys Edwards.

Front row from left: Sam Jones, Ryan Jones, Aled Simons, Elliott Rees, Dexter Ryde, Ollie Quick, Jack Soproniuk, Joe Legg.

Gowerton and Penyrheol contested the Ospreys West region year 11 plate competition final at St. Helen’s and after a very competitive game that could have gone either way it was the Gower school that eventually triumphed 31-17 to lift the trophy.

Jack Soproniuk leaps high to secure lineout possession.

 Gowerton had the advantage of the breeze in the first half, but it was Penyrheol who settled quickest and they dominated possession and territory in the first 15 minutes with No.8 Tom Donne and flanker Rhydian Lerwell both competing strongly at the breakdown and props Daniel Thomas and Lewis Dennis both carrying strongly. However, Gowerton’s defence refused to be breached and they took the lead with a great counter attacking try in the 15^th minute. A mis-directed kick was gathered just outside his 22 by wing Adam Fielding, he cleverly fed full back Elliott Rees who set off on a 60 metre touch line run that saw him evade several would be tacklers with his pace and balance before touching down for a try that he converted himself.

Buoyed by the confidence of this score, they doubled their lead three minutes later with another try that had its origins in their own half. Clean possession from a lineout allowed centre Sean Collins to burst clear on half way. The cover defence caught him 20 metres out and he fed full back Rees who looked likely to score and was only denied by a last ditch tackle by full back Rhys Gear. Captain and centre Sam Cambriani was on hand to take the off load and score beneath the posts. Full back Rees added the extras.

 Gowerton’s defence was severely tested-Jacob Ireland makes a tackle.

 Gowerton’s backline, well marshalled by half backs Rhys Edwards and Dexter Ryde, were proving increasingly influential and in the 23^rd minute, Gowerton stretched their lead when centre Collins broke clear in his own half and outstripped the cover to score in the corner. At the interval Gowerton’s lead was 19-0.

With the wind at their backs, Penyrheol again dominated the early stages of the second period and Gowerton’s defence was severely tested by the driving play of the forwards of their opponents. Initially the good defensive work of No.8 Jacob Ireland, lock Ryan Jones and prop Ollie Quick kept Penyrheol at bay. However, they were not to be denied and opened their account in the 41^st minute when ubiquitous flanker Evan Budge finished off a series of pick and drives to score a try that full back Gear converted. Five minutes later, Penyrheol reduced the deficit to a score when Budge grabbed his second try after good work by props Thomas and Dennis.

 Joe Bright competes in the air for possession. 

The game was now very much in the balance and both sides realised that the next score could prove crucial and in the 56^th minute it went to Gowerton after clean line out possession by flanker Jack Soproniuk and good work by centre Cambriani released Gowerton’s man of the match, full back Rees and he again showed impressive pace and footwork to score from 60 metres. Fly half Dexter Ryde added the conversion.

Penyrheol again bounced back impressively and with the line-out work of hooker Kieron Mills and lock Luke Davies securing their side an increasing share of possession, Penyrheol’s man of the match, flanker Evan Budge completed his hat-trick when a well organised line-out catch and drive ended with him claiming the score.

However, it was Gowerton who had the final word when captain Cambriani took a penalty quickly in the Penyrheol 22, he was halted just short, but flanker Joe Bright was on hand to cross for the try that completed the scoring.

As winners of the Ospreys West trophy, Gowerton now play the winners of the East trophy, Pencoed, in the overall final at the Gnoll on Tuesday 8^th December.