Pontardawe 8 Trebanos 27
Saturday 13th October 2007.
The enforced three week break during the Rugby World Cup meant that this was an eagerly awaited encounter, between two local rivals who started the day in third and fourth positions in the Division 5 South West table. The legion of travelling 'Banos fans arrived promptly for the 2:30 p.m. start and were surprised to find that the game had already kicked off, some ten minutes earlier than scheduled. But they missed little of any significance as the game remained scoreless after 15 minutes of play.
The first half was predominantly limited to dour exchanges among the forwards, with the bigger Pontardawe pack seemingly holding the upper hand. This was particularly so in the scrummage where veteran Pontardawe prop, Meirion Davies, was prominent. However, in typical 'Banos fashion, the boys stuck at it and were rewarded for their perseverence when, at the half hour mark, Rhodri Thomas opened the scoring for the Trebanos by converting a penalty awarded against Pontardawe for killing the ball underneath their own posts.
On the stroke of half time, a promising move by the Trebanos backs was brought to a sudden halt and, after being penalised for holding onto the ball on the ground, some backchat from Trebanos saw them marched back the obligatory 10 metres to put the posts within range of the Pontardawe fly half, Mark Joshua. He duly converted the penalty with the last kick of the half to leave the score tied at three points each at the interval.
Coach Chris Loader's wise words during his half-time talk produced an immediate response as Trebanos started the second half with real intent. Slick passing by the backs freed wing Andrew Penhale on the opposition ten yard line and he quickly made ground, advancing down the right touchline, before being tackled just short of the try line. The ball was retained and quickly recycled for scrum half Owain George to cross out wide for Trebanos' opening try, which went unconverted.
After securing the restart, good work by both forwards and backs saw Trebanos stretch the home defence and advance to within 10 metres of the try line. The ball was spun once more along the backline and Andrew Penhale popped up in midfield to cross under the posts for the visitors' second try. Rhodri Thomas slotted the conversion to give Trebanos a healthy looking 15-3 lead after just four minutes of the second half.
Pontardawe rallied after these early scores and an extended period of sustained pressure within the Trebanos 22 followed where the visitors' pack struggled to contain the home eight. However, a mixture of good fortune and gritty defence kept the home side at bay. The game swung Trebanos' way when Pontardawe were forced to make changes to their experienced front row and, suddenly, it was the turn of the Trebanos pack to dominate proceedings. Twice, within quick succession, Pontardawe were penalised for infringements to prevent a further Trebanos try as the visitors' pack turned the screw five yards out from their opponents' line. Impressive No. 8 Rhod Jones quickly took the second these penalties and fed second row Richard Langford who almost managed to force his way over. But Trebanos retained possession and when the ball was finally released to the backs, outside half Kevin Windsor easily beat his on-rushing opposite number to score under the posts. Rhod Thomas added the conversion to stretch the 'Banos lead to 22-3.
To their credit, Pontardawe refused to give up and were next to score after Trebanos were harshly adjudged not to have retreated ten yards following a quickly taken tap penalty. From the subsequent penalty, within the Trebanos 22, the ball ended in the hands of strong running Pontardawe left wing Matthew Thomas who crossed for a deserved try.
With time running out, Pontardawe went in search of the further score needed to secure a losing bonus point. However, an attempt to run from within their own 22 ended at the half way line and when promising Trebanos prop Nathan Bartlett ripped the ball from the opposition, the ball was quickly transferred to the ever dangerous Trebanos backline. Centre Rhod Thomas fed fellow centre Steve Williams, who made ground before putting left wing Chris Davies clear to run in Trebanos' fourth and final try of the afternoon, thus securing a valuable bonus point for the visitors. The conversion, with the last kick of the game, failed, making the final score Pontardawe 8 Trebanos 27.
This bonus point victory, over their previously unbeaten opponents, sees the improving Trebanos team move up to second in the Division 5 South West table. Well done boys. Keep it going.
Trebanos Team:
L Pickman; A Penhale, S Williams, R Thomas, C Davies; K Windsor, O George;
N Bartlett, D Davies, C Meredith; R Langford, L Jones; M Evans, M Whiteman,
R Jones (Capt) Subs; J Harding; M Hurst-Hughes; J Bailey; M Morris.