As the Worlds greatest rugby tournament came to an exciting, although predictable close, it will be the grass roots end of the scale that will take the game forward for the next 4 years. Strange to think that by the time the next tournament comes round, some of these players will be old enough to contend for a place. Just ask George North.
And the grass roots is alive and well. Some good rugby here, not always by the home team but enough to know the game is in good hands with the youngsters. And now to the game.
A new but exciting front row saw Ryan J and Zac G add some power to the pack, and it was Zac G who burst through a loose Amman midfield to go over after just 2 minutes. Amman, as they would do all game, came back straight away. Jac S, Zac G and the new captain Ethan H all made strong tackles in the early stages and Jac S was kicking well, but Amman kept coming and eventually went over from close range. With Alex J stopping another move, it was just a matter of time before Amman went over again as they were relentless in their attacks, constantly winning the ruck and setting up their big runners to do the damage from close range. They went over twice more before the half to make it 7-15 at the break.
Gowerton had no answer. Josh B was constantly under pressure at 10 and the midfield of Kobe B and Josh K were unable to find space to respond. The scrum, solid in the first half, began to creak in the second and this made room for more Amman to release their backs and it wasn't long before they went over in the corner. One thing the boys are not short of is character and they came back immediately, Luc J finding space out wide before Ethan H was able to go over for a try from close range.
Amman were in full flow now though and Gowerton were finding it hard to get any possession and two further scores saw Amman extend their lead. But again the boys came back and it was Josh P, increasing in confidence as the season goes on, who powered over to make it 17-34. The teams swapped scores again as Amman moved the ball out wide and Ethan H scored from a charge down and in the final minutes Amman burst forward, holding off Kobe B, to go over and make the final score 22-44.
No lack of effort but familiar problems at the ruck and with some of the tackling against the bigger players. A break next week, not a bad thing, and time for the boys to regroup.
Coaches were Lynn Simons and Andrew Daniel. First Aid was by Ceri Daniel.
Processing