U12's South Gower RFC V Cwmavon RFC

South Gower missing a few players went into the game on the back of a string of good performances, where they have improved week on week and this match proved to be no exception.
The game started a little bit scrappily with tight forward exchanges as the two teams tried to find each other out. However, it was South Gower that took the initiative with a probing drive down the right hand side and when Rob Morgidge came out with the ball South Gower had the overlap and a quick pass to Jacob Clement enabled him to put his head back and go for the try line to score, his brother Eliot converting the try.
South Gower forwards were now getting on top and securing good ball for the backs and when the ball came out quickly to Jamie Thomas he made a break down the blindside and passed to Jacob who went on a weaving run to score his second try. South Gower kept the pressure up on Cwmavon who were beginning to become rattled and when South Gower came up fast with an aggressive defence, Cwmavon spilt the ball near their own line and Jacob was on hand to pick up and collect his and South Gower’s third try, which was converted by Jamie Thomas.
Cwmavon forwards began to get back into the game and it became a tight and scrappy affair again, but South Gower managed to spread the ball quickly from a breakdown just inside their own half and Seb Heinrich went on a weaving run to score out wide, right on half time.
Halftime South Gower 24 Cwmavon 0
Cwmavon came out determined to win the second half battle and the first 10 minutes were very tight, a good break down the left hand side by Cwmavon released their wing who looked odds on to score, but Rob Mogridge had other ideas and pulled off an outstanding cover tackle, (he seemed to be everywhere) he was quickly assisted by Dylan Morgan and between them they managed to save the day and keep their try line in tack.
The game continued in a forward dominated game with both teams fighting for superiority, but it was South Gower who managed to get the first try of the second half with good close contact work by Sam Pritchard who forced himself over. When Cwmavon took a quick restart, South Gower were at sixes and sevens, but excellent scrambling defence managed to stop Cwmavon. However, they could smell the try and kept the pressure on, it was only South Gower’s aggressive defence with Rob and Sam P leading the way, with Sam stealing the ball in the tackle twice, which managed to keep Cwmavon out.
Cwmavon were desperate to get something out of the game and kept the pressure on South Gower, but when they spread the ball out, Eliot Clement intercepted the pass to run from his own 22 to score under the posts, Max Adams converting. The second half was a much tighter affair and Cwmavon made South Gower work for everything, Gavin Shearer made some hard yards in the forwards, which helped set up the final try which came from more tight forward play, where Eliot Owen drove his way over to claim the try.

Final score South Gower 41 Cwmavon 0

South Gower man of the match: Rob Morgidge (although he was pushed hard by everyone) for his excellent work in the tight and his tackling including a magnificent cover tackle.
An excellent performance in the face of a tough team, good tackling by everyone enabled us to keep a clean sheet and you should all be proud of stepping up to the mark against an aggressive team, I know I am.

(South Gower Team: 1. Jamie Thomas, 2.Eliot Owen, 3. Gavin Shearer (replaced by Micah Pugh second half), 4. Micah Pugh, 5.Dylan Morgan, 6.Eliot Clement, (Replaced by Sam Jones second half) 7. Rob Mogridge, 9.Jamie Thomas, 10. Sam Pritchard, 11.Max Adams, 12. Jacob Clement, 13. Seb Heinrich, 14.Jack Davies.)

U12's Pontardawe RFC V South Gower RFC

The second away fixture to Pontardulais RFC this season. At the last run out we felt robbed of a win, even though the Gower All Blacks had a solid performance. This time out we were all the wiser and new we had to play to the whistle but make sure the score line reflected the team efforts.
Gower started off slow but grew in confidence as the Gower forwards increased their intensity at the breakdown allowing quick ball for the backs.The first try of the game came from a Gower set piece where outside half Chay Smith pop passed to inside centre Eliot Clement who cut the angle and skinned the defence for a try under the posts, the extras added by Jamie Thomas. Gower kept the pressure on causing Pontardulais to spill the ball under pressure,a quick turn over and ball out wide to winger Jack Hooper-Lewis gave him a 50m run down the touch line for another try.
Pontardulais made a clean break of their own getting themselves on the score sheet.
The remainder of the game was very similar with South Gower dominating but the referee was restrictive in allowing the game to flow preventing the All Blacks pressure adding any further points to the score board.
Not a great viewing spectacle, some hints of quality rugby but not sustained through the whole game through no fault of their own. Well done boys.
Final Score: Pontardulais RFC 5, South Gower RFC 12

South Gower Man of The Match: Micah Pugh, for his relentless quest to wipe out and win the ball at the breakdown.

(South Gower Team: 1.Gavin Shearer,2.Eliot Owen,3.Jamie Thomas,4.Alex Ashburner,5.Dylan Morgan,6. Rob Mogridge,7.Micah Pugh,8.Sam Jones,9.Jamie Thomas,10.Chay Smith,11.Luke Cooper,12.Eliot,13.Jacob Clement,14.Jack Hooper-Lewis,15.Sam Pritchard)

U12's Morriston RFC V South Gower RFC

Another tough outing for the All Black under 12's, playing Morriston in their own back yard, an undefeated side for many years with some very talented players who do not concede many tries. South Gowers revised line up was certainly up for the challenge, a side that is still building momentum and growing in confidence literally by sticking to the basics.

Morriston started well with a break down the wing. South Gower's laspe in concentration for their defensive line cost them with Morriston converting the try from under the posts to give them an early 7 point lead. The Gower boys dusted themselves down and came back with avengeance, challenging every breakdown with a purpose, building through the phases whilst living in Morriston's faces to force the errors, and the errors did come. Camped on the Morriston try line, they were fiercely defending but with good awareness of space Jacob Clement secured the ball and the five points. Scrum half Jamie Thomas added the extras with an awesome kick 5m in from the touch line.

The game unfolded with great determination from both sides. The Gower forwards wiping out with particularly good play from flankers Rob Mogridge and Sam Pritchard, securing good clean ball for scrum half Jamie Thomas who set the backs running. South Gower winger Jonno Blakemore had the ball out wide for a number of blistering runs, but the Morriston defence performed well preventing any Gower points from the wing. A last attack from Morriston just before half time clinched them another try however making the half time score Morriston 12, South Gower 7.

The second half was another well fought affair with end to end rugby. The tackles were being made, the big carries were gaining yards and South Gower really looked capable of securing another try, but it wasn't to be today. On the last play, Morriston made a blind side run hovering on the touch line (many say crossing the touch line) to give Morriston the victory on the day. Morriston RFC 17, South Gower 7

South Gower certainly had another solid character building performance. The team spirit, the togetherness and pride is growing week on week and long may it continue. Well done boys you did yourselves proud.

South Gower Man of the Match: Jamie Thomas (SH) who released plenty of quick and accurate ball backed up by a tremendous kick at the posts.

(South Gower Team: 1.Alex Ashburner,2.Eliot Owen,3.Jamie Thomas,4.Micah Pugh,5.Dylan Morgan,6. Rob Mogridge,7.Sam Pritchard,8.Gavin Shearer,9.Jamie Thomas,10.Chay Smith,11.Jonno Blakemore,12.Jacob Clement,13.Eliot Clement,14.Jack Rosser,15.Luke Cooper Replacements: Jack Davies, Sam Jones.)