A round-up of the Welsh Cup action involving Ospreylian schools this weekend
Gowerton power into the last 16.Wing Howell grabs an impressive haul of 31 points.
Gowerton year 11: 56 Llangatwg year 11: 0
Gowerton’s year 11 team powered into the last 16 of the Welsh Cup when they achieved a convincing win over a spirited Llangatwg side.
The game was played on the 3G surface at Llandarcy as the recent poor weather meant the pitches at Gowerton RFC were unplayable. Gowerton’s victory was founded on the pace of their backs with wing Tom Howell and full back Keelan Giles both scoring a hat trick of tries. Howell also impressed with the boot, converting all eight tries to end with a fine personal haul of 31 points.
Gowerton kicked off, and were on the front foot immediately when No.8 Morgan Morris won possession, lock Max Harris drove forward and when the ball was moved wide full back Giles outstripped the cover to score in the corner. Wing Howell added the tricky conversion.
Llangatwg responded positively and with centre Aled Cockwell, scrum half Dylan Evans and prop Matthew Hindle all prominent they pressed for a score, but Gowerton’s defence held firm with props Steffan Gibbon and Tom Northey, flanker and captain Will Jones and wing Jordan Marshall all prominent.
The hosts stretched their lead in the 10th minute when good link play between hooker Jordon Liney and centres Steffan Tyrrell and Rhys Evans freed wing Howell who scored a try that he again converted. Two minutes later, full back Giles scored an outstanding individual try when he picked up the ball inside his own ’22 and set off on a run that saw him use his pace and elusive footwork to evade several would be tacklers and score beneath the posts. Howell added the extras.
Gowerton’s forwards continued to monopolise possession with locks Ethan Harris a towering presence in the lineout and Max Harris producing a dynamic display that earned him the man of the match award. They added three further tries before half time, the first came from fly half Philip Jones who impressed throughout with his distribution and tactical awareness. Wing Howell added the other two and with him also kicking the 3 conversions Gowerton led 42-0 at the break.
The hosts maintained their impressive form at the start of second period and stretched their lead when lock Sam Clark ran strongly to establish a position in the visitors 22 and when the ball was spread wide hooker Liney drove over for a try Howell again converted.
Llangatwg showed their resilience to dominate the rest of the half with full back Sam Evans, lock Kyle Evans and flanker Iestyn Davies all impressing with their spirited response and they came close to scoring on several occasions. However, it was Gowerton who had the final say when Giles’ pace allowed him to escape to complete his hat trick. Howell’s conversion was followed by the final whistle and Gowerton now progress to host the winners of the tie between Tasker Millward and Lampeter
St Josephs Year 9 10 - Stanwell Year 9 5
St Josephs move into the last 16 year 9 Welsh Schools Cup.
The first half was a very tight affair with the score of 0-0 at half time with some outstanding defence's by both team, A few key coaching points by St Josephs Teacher Steve Blades his pack put in a very strong 2nd half display in awful weather conditions and playing into a gale force wind, the Saints took the lead with a try after a series of pick and go's. Stanwell fought back with a try of their own after pulling saints from one touch line to another but this was to be St Josephs day with 3 minutes left on the clock Stanwell had a lineout 5 metres out from their line, the pressure in the air by the jumper by the Saints saw a tap down and hooker Kian Eley was quick to take advantage to pick up and crash over. St Josephs now await the winners of Glantaf and Glanfields ( Sandfields and Glan Afan combined ).