A result that was as emphatic as it was predictable. But it was, perhaps, an unfair comparison. A summer of rest and recuperation for the boys. For Loughor, an extended season. Time to fine tune everything and, most importantly, maintain their fitness. The gap in conditioning was alarming, but can and will be improved. But it must be done quickly if the season is not to run away with us.
It was a bright start by Gowerton. The scrum was solid, the lines were strong. Zac G was prominent in the loose and Charlie W was marshalling the midfield well. For the first 15 minutes Loughor were held. Kobe B with an excellent tackle early on to prevent a break out wide. But then Loughor broke out of open play in midfield an went over in the corner, quickly followed by a superb set piece that sent them over again through our midfield.
Fatigue was a factor now, and the defensive lines were straining. Kieran H was left exposed on more than one occasion as the boys struggled to keep pace with Loughor’s expansive game and they went over twice more before the half. Half-Time 0-24
A similar pattern followed in the second half. A good start with Ethan H competing well up front and Kieran H halted 10 yards after a strong run from deep. But as the boys tired and Loughor maintained the pressure the scores came. It was disappointing to see missed tackles and lack of numbers at the breakdown, but this was a symptom of the fatigue. They did not give up, though, and it was well deserved when Cameron J went over after steady pressure on the Loughor line. Full-Time 7-55
A concerted effort at improving their condition must be a priority now. There will not be many harder games this season, and this was a wake-up call for the boys in terms of knowing how much hard work is in front of them. But they must not forget the positives. They competed well for long periods of the game, showed typical team spirit and manufactured a number of opportunities against one of the better sides in the area.
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