Year 9 maintain cup progress.
Pentrehafod year 9: 19
Gowerton year 9: 43
Batcup hat-trick puts Gowerton on the right track.
Tom Ham took over the leadership for this important Welsh Cup Game. It was imperative that a victory was achieved for Gowerton to stand a chance of progressing. Many players were given a chance to impress in their first start this season so far. Pentrehafod proved a tough opponent and with some strong running they asked some thorough questions of the Gowerton defence. There were some early exchanges of tries that resulted in Pentrehafod leading just before half-time at 14-12.
However just before the break Gowerton struck back to take the lead at half-time. Callum Batcup was very much the star of the show at this stage scoring three tries in the first half and making some excellent tackles. He was supported well by General (Kieran) Charles who was controlling things well from inside centre. This was able to happen due to the quality of passing from Captain Ham and the further control offered by Chris Hughes at outside half. Callum Evans at this stage was the other stand out forward; stealing ball and making several tackles proved he is progressing well and will pose a real selection headache come future games.
In the second half Gowerton held the game in a tighter grasp and scored some long range tries through Sam Knight. Some further impressive running was seen by Jamie Stephens and Kevin Cheung from wing and fullback alike while they were supported at the breakdown well by Joe Morris and David Carpanini.
Man of the match was once again a difficult choice; Callum Batcup was outstanding in attack with some strong running, while Kieran Charles pulled of some ‘Dan Lydiate’ style tackles on the stronger Pentrehafod runners. However, Callum Evans was the most impressive on the day with some excellent work at the breakdown and his hunger for the tackle.
Year 7 and 8 fall to Penyrheol.
Gowerton’s year 7 and 8 teams entertained near neighbours Penyrheol at Gowerton RFC and it was the visitors who returned home with the spoils.
Wing Will Griffiths lines up a tackle on his opposite number.
In the year 8 game, Penyrheol triumphed 39-15. Gowerton had impressive performances from scrum half Patrick Langdon Dark, flanker Leon Bevan and centres Rhys Baker and Danny Thomas who all excelled in defence whilst forwards Adam Gammon, Ieuan Burgess and Oliver Quick and fly half Sam Cambriani carried the ball well. Gowerton scored three tries all coming from pacey wing Sean Collins.
In the year 7 game, Gowerton started more quickly and took the lead in the 6th minute when good runs by wing Byron Davies and No.8 Lewis Pennington gave lock Garin Thomas the chance to drive over. The hosts doubled their lead when captain and fly half Cameron Clayfield crossed following good work by wing Jack Cosker and centre James Northey.
Penyrheol scored three converted tries in the second half and although Gowerton pressed until the final whistle with both full back James Williams and flanker Morgan Grey coming close to scoring it was the visitors who triumphed 21-10.
Captain Cameron Clayfield sets off on a run.
