This was Dunvant’s first game for six weeks and it showed as the usual slick passing was below expectation. Adding spice to the occasion as Dunvant sought to improve on the 18-18 draw at Dol Wiber last September was former Newcastle Emlyn lock forward Hayden Baldwin making his Dunvant debut against his former team mates. On a pleasant afternoon after the horrendous weather, the pitch looking remarkably good considering the recent conditions, Dunvant kicked off and their first scoring opportunity came 5 minutes later when awarded a penalty on the opposition 22 which outside half Richard Lewis scored for 3-0. Four minutes later, Dunvant had a golden opportunity to score in the right hand corner with men over but a slight delay in the last pass saw them pushed into touch inches short. Dunvant then had to make a substitution when inside centre Michael Arnold hobbled off to be replaced by Club Captain Mitchell Ford making his return to league rugby after a horrendous fractured leg at Loughor in pre-season. On 20 minutes Newcastle Emlyn made their first real attack in Dunvant territory and some sleepy defending saw them break through a big hole for outside centre Alain Howells to cross the line and run round to score under the posts. Outside half Rhidian Harries secured the conversion for Emlyn to lead 3-7. Dunvant continued to mount attacks in Emlyn’s half, Richard Lewis missed a penalty from just outside the 22, but a minute later Dunvant hooker Alex Griffiths romped through Emlyn’s defence to score, Lewis converted for Dunvant to regain the lead at 10-7. On the half hour Emlyn were awarded what looked like a kickable penalty but chose to kick for a lineout catch and drive about 8 metres out, but Dunvant’s defence held firm and were able to clear their lines. The final score of the half came a couple of minutes before half time when Richard Lewis kicked another penalty for 13-7.
Newcastle Emlyn restarted the second half and from the restart won a penalty on the 10 metre line but Harries was short. On 48 minutes, Emlyn hooker Bedwr Davies was yellow carded and shortly after Dunvant Captain Sam Crowley made a terrific break but was forced into touch just short. With Davies still in the sin bin, Emlyn prop Dai Jones was yellow carded giving Dunvant a 2 man advantage for about 8 minutes. Dunvant kicked their penalty for a lineout and drive then openside flanker Michael Sully broke away to score which Lewis converted for 20-7. Dunvant’s rustiness shown at the start was now wearing off and on 65 minutes, still with a man advantage, some excellent passing amongst the backs saw outside centre Sam Crowley score, again Lewis converted for a lead of 27-7.
With Emlyn back to 15 men, they were determined not to give up and getting the better of territory and possession and were rewarded when their inside centre Daniel Davies was able to run in under the posts which harries converted for 27-14. On 75 minutes of normal time, Dunvant wing Craig Lewis was deemed to have executed a dangerous tip tackle and was red carded taking Dunvant down to 14 for the remainder of the game, and this was compounded when replacement flanker Jordan Jackson, who had only just come on, was yellow carded for barging player into touch taking Dunvant down to 13 for the 5 minutes of added time remaining. Dunvant’s defence held firm for a final score of 27-14. Dunvant openside flanker Michael Sully was named as the Dunvant Rugby Club Singers Man of the Match.
With Skewen’s game at Aberavon Quins postponed and Maesteg Quins in Swalec Plate action, Dunvant remain in 1st place for at least another week 5 points ahead of Quins who now have 3 games in hand.
The only other league fixture played today was a 12-12 draw between Seven Sisters and Maesteg which drops Aberystwyth back into the relegation pot.
Next up for Dunvant is an away trip next Saturday to fourth placed Amman United. Quins are away to local rivals Maesteg, whilst Skewen host v Felinfoel

Scores:
Dunvant: 27
Tries: 2 Alex Griffiths, 7 Michael Sully, 13 Sam Crowley
Conversions: 10 Richard Lewis (3)
Penalties: 10 Richard Lewis (2)
Newcastle Emlyn: 14
Tries: 13 Alain Howells, 12 Daniel Davies
Conversions: 10 Rhidian Harries (2)

Half Time: Dunvant 13 Newcastle Emlyn 7

Match Official: Wayne Childs

Dunvant Rugby Club Singers Man of the Match: Michael Sully 7

Dunvant team:
Backs: 15 Adam Williams-Parry, 14 Craig Lewis, 13 Sam Crowley (Capt.), 12 Mike Arnold, 11 Sam Gallagher, 10 Richard Lewis, Aled Lewis,
Forwards: 1 Robbie Morris, 2 Alex Griffiths, 3 Ryan Shoemark, 4 Hayden Baldwin, 5 Jamie Nicholas, 6 Rhys Tucker, 7 Michael Sully, 8 Mark Loughlin
Replacements: 16 Ed Lucas, 17 Gareth Cadmore, 18 Jordan Jackson, 19 Mitchell Ford

Main Match Sponsor: Mr Brian Jones-Castell Howell Foods

Match Hosts: Mr. David Jones-Pilkington Glass

Match Ball Sponsors: St.Hilary’s Church & Parish of Killay
Mr. Vernon Davies

Ball Boys & scoreboard Operators: Dunvant R.F.C. Under 15’s

Results for Saturday 15th February
Swalec League Div 2 West
Aberavon Quins v Skewen-match postponed
Dunvant 27 Newcastle Emlyn 14
Felinfoel v Aberystwyth-match postponed
Maesteg Quins v Mumbles- OFF-Swalec Plate Rd 4
Seven Sisters 12 Maesteg 12
Trebanos v Amman United-OFF- Swalec Plate Rd 4

Swalec Plate Round 4
Amman United 21 Abergavenny 14
Caernarfon v Nant Conwy-match postponed
Glamorgan Wanderers v Llantwit Vardre-match postponed
Glynneath v Waunarlwydd-match postponed
Kenfig Hill v Maesteg Quins-match postponed
Merthyr v Risca-match postponed
Nelson 20 Llangennech 32
Rhiwbina 19 Kidwelly 5

Carmarthen Tyres League
Bonymaen 38 Dunvant 3 (played at Dunvant)
Carmarthen Druids v Carmarthen Quins-postponed
Llangennech 36 Whitland 24

Ospreys OE Youth league
Birchgrove v Gorseinon-match postponed