Too close for comfort perhaps, but how often have the boys been in the game until late only to be defeated in the closing minutes. This was deserved and reward for some hard work in training and noticeable improvement in recent weeks, Amman Utd excepted.
There were some surprises to. Charlie S with an impeccable kicking game to sit alongside some astute decision making. His partnership with Jac S has been a highlight in recent weeks, sharper at the breakdown and creating more time for the backs.
Defending well as a unit and more organised, with the exception of the last 10 minutes when fatigue set in.
Kobe B and Josh B at centre, offering a robust defence and running some excellent lines to release the wings, both running in to form late on in the season.
As has been the case in recent weeks the boys started well, Charlie S releasing the backs following a line out secured by Elliot H. It was against the run of play that Llandeilo secured the ball in midfield following a ruck and burst through to score. But Gowerton maintained the pressure and after Josh P charged up to the line to go close, it was Ieuan E who levelled the score from the back of the scrum.
It became a tight game with the defences in charge, Josh B again prominent in holding up the Llandeilo attacks. Alex J was also beginning to to probe, coming into the line from full-back. With Charlie S mixing the game up from 10 he kept Llandeilo guessing. He then extended the lead, blocking a kick to run away under the posts.
Rhys D then made an excellent steal close to his own line to begin a fantastic move upfield culminating in Jake T going over to make it 21-7. With Elliot H a constant disruption at the lineout the boys we well on top at half time.
The second half exploded into life early on with an excellent run and dummy from Kobe B to send Jake T away before he was bundled in to touch. Ethan H was a force at the rucks, his power too much for Llandeilo at this stage, and Josh B’s line spped was leaving no room for Llandeilo out wide.
Ieuan E peeled off the back of a scrum to rumble up close to the line as Llandeilo were under heavy pressure, and he eventually scored by diving on to a blocked clearance.
There was, surely, no way back for Llandeilo but as the half wore on and the effect of 2 games in 3 days began to mount they came back in to it with 3 tries in the last 10 minutes to make for a tense finish. But the boys held on, Alex J with a fantastic try saving tackle at the end.
As the season draws to a close, it bodes well for next season to see a more balanced side taking shape, showing form and the physicality needed at the higher age grade. The pieces of the Gowerton puzzle are starting to take shape.
Processing