Fixture

Gowerton 20 Glynneath 22

After 2 challenging games against Kenfig Hill and Ammanford respectively the Glynneath players may have been forgiven for thinking this was going to be an easier encounter against a team in the lower half of the league. However, last season proved to be a bit of an eye opener in a convincing cup loss to Gowerton so complacency was certainly not on the agenda. Especially, on a pitch not much wider than a postage stamp. After an even start, a well worked move saw Jed O’Reilly go in under the posts and Glynneath looked to be on their way. Unfortunately, the next 60 minutes proved to be a scrappy affair with Gowerton managing to disrupt Glynneath’s flow with their blitz defence and Glynneath struggling to find a way through. 2 trys for Gowerton put them in the driving seat as the game continued to regress with little rugby of any quality. An opportunist try from the ever dangerous Jed O’Reilly gave the lead back to Glynneath only for Gowerton to continue to frustrate the “Germans”. This frustration seemed complete when a penalty from their impressive 10 put them 20-17 ahead. With Gowerton pushing for another score late in the game all looked lost. However, the Glynneath defence held firm with a number of big hits forcing them back. This pressure and the frustration that had been built up from being on the end of a number of close refereeing decisions seemed to inspire Glynneath in the closing minutes as they desperately forced their way up field with some strong running and deft handling that saw young replacement Gwilym Workman go over in the corner to seal a 20-22 scoreline and victory was achieved from the jaws of defeat. This was much to the delight of the large travelling Glynneath support who on this occasion certainly Suffered before Conquering. In amongst this “dog-fight” one old war horse in particular stood out with Jonny Griff deservedly being awarded Man of the Match.