Nothing stirs the emotion like a local derby. On a week-end of thrilling rugby, the bug was catching in Waunarlwydd (W) as the Under 14's made the short trip down the road to renew acquaintance with some familiar faces.
W started well with some strong early scrummaging knocking the boys back, but it was perhaps against the run of play that Rhys D managed to peel wide off the back of a scrum and went over in the corner to open the score. It was good to see Zac G returning and he was involved in an early foray in to the W half before it broke down with a pass behind his support. Elliot H was dominating at the lineout and he managed to steal a W lineout which Ethan H, back to his rampaging best, picked up and offloaded to the excellent James R who made further progress before Ethan H followed up to go over and extend the lead. W responded immediately with a run down the middle but following another lineout win, Jac S set up Zac G to power forward and set up Luc J to outsprint the cover and go over in the corner. Attacks were coming from everywhere. Zac J was passing well from the back of the ruck and in the forwards Josh P was using his strength at the breakdown. Jac S and Josh B were combining well to release Rhys J and Josh W who were enjoying a stream of quality ball in midfield.
Gowerton were also defending well, Kobe B and Josh B both prominent. Ethan H made a great tackle on the line as the team held up a W move to prevent a score. But following a break in midfield, W went over out wide despite a valiant tackle by Alex J to narrow the gap at half time. 12-17.
Gowerton started the second half well with a great steal by Josh B at a breakdown. The tackling continued to be excellent with Kobe B making a couple of timely tackles, as did Josh B and Luc J. Josh B made a break with support from Ethan H before being brought down but shortly after Rhys D began a move that involved James R, Alex J, Josh B and Rhys J before it was Kobe B who went over to re-establish a healthy lead. But showing great character, W came back again and went over out wide despite some desperate tackling by the boys.
Another great move - James R to Rhys D on to Luc J before Rhys D went over again to make it 19-27.
Elliot H continued to be a serial destroyer of the opposition lineout and this led to another great break by Ethan H. Tackles by Josh B and Kobe B again prevented W from getting back in to the game and with Luc J securing another steal and some great attacking running from Jack G putting W on the defensive, it was left to Jac S to set up Rhys J and Rhys D to find Luc J for the final score. 19-32.
A great game, played in great spirit and with the half term break upon us, there are reasons to be cheerful as we go in to November.
Coaches were Lynn Simons and Andrew Daniel and First Aid by Ceri Daniel.
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