There were mixed results for the Ospreylian Colleges in the league's second week of action.
With only Gower College Swansea recording a win in the firstweek of the Wednesday Under 18 League, Bridgend and Neath Port Talbot College were looking to get a better result as the action got back underway.
Having suffered a heavy defeat away at Sir Gar, the Neath Port Talbot side were hoping to use their home advantage as they took on Cowbridge College at Llandarcy this afternoon. At half time they looked to be in control with a 14 - 5 lead thanks to an Adam Nation try and Dylan Francis try and two conversions.
The second half didn't go the same way however with a refreshed Cowbridge side returning to the field and taking the lead shortly after. Despite Reuben Morgan Williams and James Roberts also crossing the try line, the home team couldn't regain advantage and the game finished:
Neath Port Talbot College 26 - 27 Cowbridge College
There was better news for Bridgend College. After a poor first week against Coleg Gwent, they too were hoping to use their home advantage as they welcomed Coleg Llandrillo to Pencoed. With an improved and more clinical performance, Gareth Nicholas' side managed to record a victory and put themselves back in the race to make it out of their pool. Final score being:
Bridgend College 47 - 19 Coleg Llandrillo
Gower College were the only team to come away with a win in the first week of the competition, but they knew they were in for a harder test as they hosted back to back champions Coleg Sir Gar at Loughor RFC.
There was the expected pressure from the off from the visitors but the Gower College side showed unprecedented impressive defence too. Unlike last week against Neath Port Talbot College, where very move found them making yards, Sir Gar found it hard to make progress against the home team. After 7 minutes however, Sir Gar eventually found the necessary gap to slip through for their first try of the afternoon.
Both teams followed with opportunities, a few wild passes and being penalised for holding on stopping Gower College crossing the try line, and continual knock on's from the visitors spoiling their opportunities.
With almost 30 minutes played the strong Sir Gar side were again battering at the Gower defence, but just as it looked like they would again hold them out, the outstanding Billy McBryde found a gap and raced over for the visitor's second.
Just before half time, Coleg Sir Gar looked like they were guaranteed their third but fantastic work from the Gower back line and a try saving tackle from Harry Thomas stopped them in their tracks and the game went into the break with Sir Gar leading 14 - 0.
Despite an early yellow card for Gower College their defence held strong in the early part of the second half. Good pressure from the whole team causing Sir Gar to make various handling and passing errors, and their efforts were only rewarded with a successful penalty kick.
Another outstanding run from Sir Gar from within their own 22 looked like a certain try, until another knock on feet from the try line stopped their attempt. With the resulting play it was the hosts who looked like they were guaranteed to score. A break from Angus Morris, carried on by Jack Cambriani saw them almost reach their goal before a knock on spoilt their chances too.
Despite the incredible defence, Gower College lost out to a seemingly unstoppable Coleg Sir Gar however, as they eventually found another gap and with no more handling errors crossed the line for the final time.
There was just time remaining in the game for Gower College to get a well deserved consolation try with Ben Davies stretching over the try line to put the points on the board. No conversion followed and with a score line that slightly belied the quality of Gower's game the match finished:
Gower College Swansea 5 - 24 Coleg Sir Gar
Head Coach, Dan Cluroe, commented on his side's loss:
"To be honest I don't think the score line actually reflected the performance today. We were really happy with our defence, just three seconds of lapsed concentration and they scored three tries. A side like Sir Gar are very clinical but we're very happy with the boys leading into next week. We just have to do the same and be more clinical, as we threw away a few tries during the game. It puts a little more pressure on us against Neath, but fingers crossed with the team that we've got we can get the win next week."
Next week sees the first Ospreylian derby of the season, as Neath Port Talbot College host Gower College Swansea at Llandarcy, in a game to be televised by S4C's Rygbi Pawb. Elsewhere Bridged College will be at home to Pembrokeshire College.