In Depth News

Dunvant Youth 29pts Fall bay Youth 3pts

(Played at Broadacre on Sat April 12th)

After a rousing team talk by Dunvant's replacement Captain 'Call me Dave@ Whitecross the hosts came out with all guns blazing in this re-arranged fixture.

Fall bay found it difficult to cope with the early pace of the game with their opponents determined to keep the ball in play.The sheer ferocity of the forward surges was opening gaps in the Fall Bay defence and it was no surprise when after another series of drives scrum-half Lewis Buckley released the backs and crisp handling saw full-back Scott Edwards race over unopposed. Fall Bay came back in the game when taking advantage of ill-discipline by the home side resulted in a penalty which they kicked. This however just made Dunvant re-double their efforts and play was confined to deep in their opponents half and after more intensive work No8 Simon Petherbridge increased the lead for the home side after showing good upper body strength to cross the line. Soon after, more pressure led to second row Nathan Vaughan taking the ball on the burst and crashing over for Dunvant's third try.Now it was one-way traffic and Fall bay were lucky not to concede more tries when a couple of decisions went against the home side after they had crossed the tryline.Eventually centre Sam Crowley was able to cross for a try which he also converted to make the half-time score Dunvant 22pts Fall Bay 3pts.

The second-half was a much more even affair with Fall Bay using the strong wind to gain territory with some big kicks. However it was Dunvant who looked the more likely to score with some promising movements only breaking down at the last moment. Indeed the only score of this half was from the home team with Simon Petherbridge scoring his second try. Simon picked the ball up from a retreating scrum and proceeded on a forty metre run in which he showed strength and pace to leave a trail of beaten defenders before crossing for in the corner for a superb individual try.. Jack Hancock then added the icing to the cake by converting from wide out on the touchline and into the strong wind.

Another good win , once again set up by a rampant pack who were quite outstanding. A special mention to Lewis Buckley who was pressed into service as scrum-half for the injured Sam Gallagher by the coaches, he fully justified their confidence in him with such an assured display that it made it difficult to believe that he has never played in that position before.

Dunvant Youth 20pts Login Fawr Youth 7pts

(Played at Broadacre on Thurs. April 24th.)

This eagerly awaited encounter between the two top teams in the division with the prize the likelihood of becoming League Champions.

With the wind behind them it was Dunvant who started the stronger and the combination of strong driving by their forwards and judicial kicking by their half-backs kept the visitors pinned in their half. The consequence of this pressure resulted in Login Fawr attempting to run out of their half , however a wild pass in midfield dropped between the centres for Dunvant's Sam Crowley to swoop in gather the bouncing ball and with his explosive pace leave the cover defence for dead and open the scoring with an unconverted try. The pattern of play continued with Dunvant on top and it was no surprise when they recorded another try. The architect of this score was outside half Morgan Evans who dummied and swerved his way through several defenders before setting up Sam Crowley , who needed no further encouragement to cross wide out for his second try which Morgan Evans superbly converted to give Dunvant a 12 point lead.

At this stage the visitors were looking a beaten team but out of nothing they manufactured a try when they worked the blind side and good support saw them score in the corner, and a magnificent conversion into the wind cut Dunvant's lead to 5 points. This score lifted the visitor's morale and it was their turn to be the stronger team and it took an excellent tackle by Captain Sam Gallagher to stop what looked a certain try. This score woke Dunvant up and they took play back into their opponents 22 and were rewarded with a penalty goal which Morgan Evans slotted over to give them an 8 point lead at the interval.

At the start of the second half Login Fawr immediately took the game to Dunvant and it was the home team's turn to show a steely defence , try as they may the visitors could not work an opening to score the try they so desperately sought. Their cause was not helped by the fact that they ran every penalty they were awarded, and this was after their kicker had converted their try from the touchline and against the wind in the first half, thus Dunvant were left maintaining a two score lead. they were further frustrated by the Dunvant mid-field defence that tackled anything that moved , and despite having a long period of territorial advantage were unable to pierce the home defence. Dunvant were equally fallible by trying to run from their line against the wind when a prudent kick might make life easier, and eventually they realised their error and changed to kicking their way out of defence then slowly but surely they took play well into Login Fawr territory. Suddenly it was Dunvant's turn to look dangerous with both half-backs putting in runs that troubled the opposition and Morgan Evans produced a most delicate and accurate of grubber kicks that had the visitor's defence scrambling to cover it under pressure from the chasing Dunvant attackers, and at the last moment full back Scott Edwards snatched the ball to cross over in the corner. Just when it appeared that Dunvant had the game won they suffered a double blow when centre "Captain Jack" Hancock was led off the field with a broken collar bone and almost immediately the referee yellow carded Dunvant's hooker in what seemed a very harsh decision. However Dunvant had their thinking heads on and their pack took control of the game by keeping possession in a series of drives and rucks up the pitch to deny their opponents any further scoring opportunities. From Dunvant's perspective it was a superb team performance with a tenacious attitude in which second row Tom Falvey was outstanding.

Thus Dunvant became the first holders of the Rhodri Jones Challenge Trophy, it was presented by Waunarlwydd Chairman Nigel Jones , Rhodri's father. This Trophy, which is to be played for annually in memory of Rhodri a Waunarlwydd player who died so tragically and at such a young age of bone marrow cancer, a collection at each game will got to the “Rhodri Jones Memorial Appeal” in support of bone cancer research.

This game was a fitting tribute to Rhodri's memory , with both sides showing tremendous skill and commitment and enjoying this great game we call rugby.

Social Events

Mark Miller, our resident Quizmaster is hosting our monthly Quiz on Friday 29th April food and spot prizes plus prizes for winners and runners-up all good fun come nad join in a wonderful evening of entertainment KO 8pm.

Dear Member,

There are still places available for £10 per month by standing order or an annual payment of £120. Please contact:

Paul Loughlin tel: 01792 520149 p.loughlin1@ntlworld.com

Robert Davies tel: 01792 204223 robthereferee@yahoo.co.uk