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16 April 2016 / Team News

Honours even as Gowerton go close

What a difference 5 days make. The opposition no doubt a factor in the improvement. The local derby. Fierce. Bragging rights. It was a great Friday night atmosphere, gladiatorial almost as the Warriors entered the arena.

The desire was there for all to see as kick off loomed. A frowning concentration, chest pumping. You could smell the tension and the game did not disappoint. This was a classic.

Gowerton were out of the blocks quicker than Usian Bolt. A re-modelled team. Familiar faces in unfamiliar positions. Alex J in the second row, Josh P propping, Josh B at flanker and Kobe B at full back. But it worked.

Josh H out wide made some early progress in a busy midfield, as did Kieran H at centre. Jake T was a constant threat, but it was claustrophobic out there. It was the set piece that yielded early results. Elliot H comfortably collected at the lineout and the boys drove on. And on and it was Rhys D who made it over in the corner to open the scoring. Elliot H continued to cause problems at the lineout as his second row partner Alex J began to probe for space in the loose. Josh P and Ethan H were both finding opportunities to take the game to Waun whilst Rhys J – both throwing at the lineout and in his defensive work – was having his game of the season. Nothing was getting past him.

Josh B increased the lead by falling on a kick block to make it 10-0.

Waun responded immediately by recovering the kick off in midfield to dance over.

It had been a breathless first half and massively entertaining.

Waun made a blistering start to the second half though, going over in the corner to even the score, but Gowerton were still well in this. Jac S, so sharp to the breakdown, and Charlie S were combining well, giving the backs plenty of ball and Kieran H was having an inspired game. Further pressure from Gowerton close to the line almost got the over before the pressure cooker atmosphere finally boiled over. Whilst unwelcome it was unsurprising given the atmosphere and 2 players were sent to the bin.

The game went on. Two evenly matched teams. But it was Waun who broke through to take the lead with 10 minutes to go. Kobe B at full back was under constant pressure but his footwork kept him out of trouble and he was having a great game.

Charlie S angled a superb kick deep in to the Waun half and from a resulting scrum it was Rhys D who went over to make it 17-17 at the final whistle.

A fair result perhaps, but for the effort and quality on display it would have not been an injustice to have secured the win. To a man, this was an impressive display, particularly with players playing out of position – Josh K at flanker? A true team effort. And for now, a quick turnaround before Sunday.

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