Gower College Swansea 40 - 14 Whitchurch High

GCS get their Trophy hopes off to a good start while NPTC and Bridgend College suffer defeats in the first week of their silverware hunt

Therewere mixed results for the Ospreylian colleges in the first  week of the new league. In the Cup competition Bridgend College travelled to Cowbridge Comprehensive and were beaten 40 - 8. In the Trophy competition NPTC faced a long trip to North Wales where Coleg Llandrillo convincingly won 52 - 22, but there was a better result for Gower College who hosted Whitchurch High School.


Gower had much of the early possession and territory at Swansea Uplands RFC but were struggling to find the necessary gap in Whitchurch's defence. As they made their way into the visitor's 22 towards the end of the first quarter, a poor pass was intercepted by Whitchurch who ran  three quarters of the length of the pitch to score the first try of the game. They extended their early lead with a successful conversion.


After the referee found the home team guilty of several infringements it took them some time to get back on the offensive but when they did they started to show their dominance. Gower managed to cross the try line three times in the next few minutes, but after the first attempt was judged to have gone forward and the second was called back by the referee to play their advantage , it was third time lucky for GCS as James Woods raced over to score. However Tom Howell was unable to even the scores when his conversion attempt went wide.


GCS didn't trail for long though as just a few minutes later Callum Lewis made an outstanding break before Callum Carson completed the move. Despite another difficult angle, Howell this time added the extra two points.


There were opportunities for both sides in the remaining minutes of the first half but despite Whitchurch receiving a yellow card while Gower were powering towards the try line there were no further points scored.


HT: Gower College Swansea 14 - 8 Whitchurch High School


The even play continued into the second half with the two sides attacking hard. Tom Howell's break in the 7th minute making the difference as he raced up field before passing to Lawrence Thomas who scored. Howell then extended Gower's lead with a successful conversion.

Soon after Whitchurch were gifted the ball thanks to a Gower knock on and started to look dangerous. A determined rolling maul saw them power over the try line for an unconverted try.


Despite a strong effort from the visitors they fell away in the final quarter while Gower College improved. Even when GCS Captain Will Jones received a yellow card for his part in an on pitch altercation Whitchurch couldn't use their man advantage to score and instead strong team work and pace allowed Gower to gain ground before Howell slipped over to score his second try of the afternoon. The conversion attempt of his own try however went wide.


Gower College weren't satisfied with their 14 point lead and went all out in the remaining five minutes of play, scoring twice more.  Callum Carson completed a team effort to get to the line, and scored a try that went unconverted as Howell sent the kick wide.


There was just time for GCS to take advantage of a Whitchurch knock on right in front of their own posts before the final whistle. They sent the ball across field and Will Jones leapt over to score. Carson, taking over kicking duties, sending his only attempt left of the posts.


FT: Gower College Swansea 40 - 14 Whitchurch High School


Dan Cluroe, GCS Head Coach, remarked on his team's win:

"It's always a challenge to get the first win of the second stage of the league, especially against a good side like Whitchurch. They pushed us hard in the first half so we're glad to get there in the end.

"I'm pleased with the boys performance, there's always things to work on every week but overall I'm just happy the boys got the win and scored some lovely tries."