This was always going to be finely balanced, a 10-10 draw last time we met at Broadacre, and both sides challenging Maesteg Quins for the ultimate prize. On the day, Skewen were the deserved winners, their strong pack getting the better of ours, and two yellow cards for Dunvant, one in each half, putting Dunvant at a man disadvantage for a quarter of the game. From the outset, both sides were making some great attacking runs to be denied by strong defences. The first chance of a penalty kick came to Skewen after 17 minutes of play, awarded about 10 metres out. Skewen spurned the chance to kick at goal, chose to scrummage, but were held up on the line. Then Dunvant almost scored at the other end after a superb break by centre Danny Davies, but Richard Lewis couldn’t quite gather the final pass. Skewen made another break down the right hand touchline, but dropped the ball when looking certain to score. Skewen’s first score came on the half hour, when at a Skewen lineout near our 10 metre line, although Dunvant won the ball, we were penalised for jumping to early. Again Skewen chose to scrummage and worked their way down to our try line for scrum half Jamie Kirkhouse to score. Outside half Anthony Buselli failed with the conversion but Skewen led 5-0. Dunvant responded with some great attacks, eventually being awarded a penalty on the 22, and outside half Richard Lewis took the score to 5-3. Then Dunvant got a yellow card and from the resultant penalty Buselli took the score to 8-3. From the restart, Dunvant won another penalty , kicked by Richard Lewis for a half time score at 8-6 and still anybody’s game.
Skewen restarted the second half, but in the second minute a superb touchline run by Dunvant winger Adam Williams–Parry get to the touchline and although he was tackled just short of the line he was able to reach out and place the ball inches from the corner flag. Lewis failed with the touchline conversion but Dunvant were leading 8-11, extended a few minutes late to lead 8-14 with another penalty for Richard Lewis. 5 minutes later, Skewen narrowed the score with a superb long range drop goal for 11-14, and within 2 minutes Buselli missed another penalty kick which would have drawn them level. Skewen for fighting hard to get back in front and on 60 minutes scored their second try, converted by Buselli to lead 18-14. On 72 minutes, Dunvant were given a second yellow card meaning they would be a man short pretty well to the end. From the resultant penalty Buselli scored again for 21-14. Dunvant never gave up, Skewen surrendered several penalties without any signs of a card, and slowed the game down as much as they could get away with. Lewis failed with another penalty to try and make the losing bonus point secure but in the end it didn’t matter. Final score Skewen 21 Dunvant 14.
Dunvant remain in pole position on 53 points, Maesteg Quins are now 5 points behind on 48 but with 4 games in hand, and Skewen are now level with Quins and one game in hand on Dunvant. Elsewhere, Newcastle Emlyn surged into 4th place , following up last week’s 50-0 win over Skewen with a 40-7 win over Seven Sisters. Trebanos fought their way out of the bottom three with a 40-19 win over Amman United.
Next up for Dunvant is a trip to bottom placed Aberavon Quins on Friday night, kick off 7.15p.m.
Interestingly, Dunvant next three games are against the bottom three relegation threatened sides. Aberavon Quins this Friday, Maesteg away on March 22nd and Aberystwyth at home on March 29th.

Scores:
Skewen 21
Tries: 9 Jamie Kirkhouse, 1 Liam Grice
Conversion: 10 Anthony Buselli
Drop goal: A.N.Other
Penalties: 10 Anthony Buselli (2)
Dunvant: 14
Try: 11 Adam Williams-Parry
Penalties: 10 Richard Lewis (3)
Half-Time Skewen 8 Dunvant 6

Dunvant Team:
Backs: 15 Mitchell Ford (Capt.), 14 Ben Pothecary, 13 Sam Crowley, 12 Danny Davies, 11 Adam Williams-Parry, 10 Richard Lewis, 9 Sam Gallagher
Forwards: 1 Carwyn Williams, 2 Robbie Morris, 3 Ed Lucas, 4 Hayden Baldwin, 5 Jamie Nicholas, 6 Adam Gregory, 7 Rhys Tucker, 8 Mike Sully
Replacements: 16 Mark Loughlin, 17 Jordan Jackson, 18 Aled Lewis, 19 Gareth Cadmore

Match Official: David Swain

Thanks: To Paul Lucas for providing the match photographs

Results for Saturday 8th March
Swalec League Div 2 West
Maesteg Quins 24 Mumbles 14
Newcastle Emlyn 40 Seven Sisters 7
Skewen 21 Dunvant 14
Trebanos 40 Amman United 19

Carmarthen Tyres League
Carmarthen Quins 39 Llangennech 22
Waunarlwydd 29 Bonymaen 22

Friendly:
Fall Bay 13 Dunvant 2nd XV 19

WRU Ospreys OE Youth League
Gorseinon 25 Morriston 20