Pentrehafod year 8: 12 Gowerton year 8: 45.

The year 8 team produced another fine performance allowing them to achieve a well deserved victory at Pentrehafod.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 4th minute when excellent linking play by flanker Jacob Garlick set centre Ethan Davies free on a jinking run that saw him beating several defenders. He was tackled on the 22 but good carries by prop Josh Anderson and flanker Garlick again, gave No.8 Jac Lewis-Colwill possession and he powered over from 5 yards out. Full back Reuben de Val added the extras.
Confidence boosted by the score, Gowerton were now very much on the front foot and added a second score 3 minutes later when flanker Garlick secured a lineout on halfway, the ball was moved swiftly away from the contact area and centre Tyler Davies broke through the defensive line before showing defenders a clean pair of heels and sprinting 40 metres for a score that was again converted by full back de Val.

Centre Tyler Davies showed defenders ‘a clean pair of heels’

Although Gowerton were now in the ascendency, they weren’t having matters all their own way and No.8 Sam Morgan and prop Lucas Messer both impressed for the hosts. Messer carried strongly and Morgan secured several turnovers, was strong defensively and a threat with ball in hand.

Scrum half Liam Saunders spins a pass away.

The visitors stretched their lead in the 16th minute when prop Harvey Marshall won a turnover, scrum half Liam Saunders and lock Isobel Baldwin-Pritchard both carried strongly and when quick ball was won 20 metres out it was transferred swiftly for full back de Val to cross for a try he converted himself. They then stretched the lead two minutes later when another strong run from centre Tyler Davies freed fly half Cameron Bevan to jink past two defenders and score a try that centre Ethan Davies converted.

Full back Reuben de Val scored a try and kicked 3 conversions.

Pentrehafod continued to threaten and deservedly opened their account before the break when a sniping run by scrum half Billy Reynolds gave No.8 Morgan the opportunity to power over from 10 metres. Fly half Coby Phillips added the conversion and Gowerton’s lead was 28-7 at the break.
Five minutes into the second period Gowerton stretched their lead when wing Drew Dodd sprinted 60 metres, he was hauled down just short of the line by an excellent tackle by flanker Travis Lawson, but Dodd’s offload allowed wing Morgan Bradley to dot down.

Gowerton wing Drew Dodd takes on a defender.

The end to end nature of the game continued and the hosts crossed for a second time when an elusive run from man of the match Sam Morgan freed centre Nathan Thomas who crossed.
In the final quarter, Gowerton stretched their lead with two further scores. No.8 Lewis-Colwill grabbed his second try when he picked up from the base of a scrum 5 metres out and drove over. Finally, following strong carries by lock Richard Davies and flanker Sam Wells, prop Marshall was able to drive over and at full time Gowerton had achieved an encouraging 45-12 win.

Gowerton centre Tyler Davies shows great technique with the ball in two hands.

Photographs: Finlay Guard year 8.