Dunvant 2nds travelled to Waunarlwydd (Neutral Ground) where they played their Vaughan Sound Cup Final against Bonymaen. It was 50/50 after both sides won at home during their league fixtures this season, Bonymaen having a more confident semi-final with an emphatic 57-3 win over Pontarddulais, with a powerful forward display at Broadarce, however Dunvant’s path was tougher with a tight 27-20 win over a very strong Skewen team at Morriston. The evening of the final was fitting of the encounter with hardly any wind and the evening sun still giving some warmth to supporters and players.

Bonymaen kicked off and Dunvant spilt the ball after two players went up for it at the same time. This gave Bonymaen the first and eagerly awaited scrummage, Dunvant held strong but Bonymaen had possession and from this they built multiple phases through some strong runs from both backs and forwards. This early pressure pushed Dunvant back towards their line and after stopping a driving lineout Second Row Nathan Vaughan was deemed not to have driven through the maul and was yellow carded, but the Dunvant 14 man defence stepped up to the challenge and fought back the onslaught. This defence stamped Dunvant’s mark on the match and this effort continued until the final whistle. It was Dunvant who then grew into the match with some good interplay and fast ruck ball, which eventually provide space in the midfield for centre and Captain Michael Arnold to ship the ball to wing Tom Gigg who squeezed over in the far corner for the first try and a loud roar from the Dunvant support. Dunvant grew stronger and started to get the upper hand in all aspects of the game, even the scrum. Although the referee deemed some of this scrum advantage was gained illegally and gave a string of penalties to Bonymaen. The penalty count kept Dunvant at bay and provide Bonymaen with 3 kicks at goal which were all superbly converted. Dunvant managed one of their own before the break which was converted by Dickie Lewis and the half time score was 8-9 to Bony.

Dunvant felt that their game plan was working and the decisions would soon swing in their favour and were determined to continue in the same vain after the kick off. This determination soon paid off with a number of phases in midfield that alternated back and forth in a ‘piston’ motion either side of the ruck that forced the play into the Bony 22. Then when a half break from prop Shauny Davies took Dunvant to the line, it was number 8 Jordan Jackson that powered over for Dunvant’s second try, this one was converted by Dickie Lewis and Dunvant were again in the lead at 15-9. Changes were made with injured Matt Richards coming off for Adam Williams and Callum Llewelyn coming on for Shauny Davies, who with fresh legs made an instant impact at the scrum. This kept Dunvant on the front foot and they continued to ask questions of Bonymaen. However it was Bonymaen who hit back next with yet another terrifically taken penalty conversion taking them within 3 points of Dunvant. Dunvant push on and looked the more likely to score, and as a grubber from Adam Williams bounced kindly, the ever dangerous Sam Hawkes pounced on it to run in Dunvant’s third try which was converted and pushed Dunvant into a 10 point lead with around 15 mins left. Dunvant changed things with Sam Ley coming on at 9 with Sam Gallagher moving to the wing as Tom Gigg left the field. Bonymaen had also made changes and these substitutions were starting to impress on the game, with some strong running starting to find cracks in the previously impermeable Dunvant defensive line. This gain line advantage gave the Bony team a lift and the crowd cheered them on to their first try which was converted and brought the game to within 3 points and a very intense and nervous finish. Dunvant made their final change with the spent Callum Bradshaw coming off for Jamie Fletcher. Dunvant realising the challenge and picked up their game and showed maturity to keep Bonymaen at bay, with decisions now with Dunvant an opportunity to kick at goal resulted in Dickie Lewis relieving the pressure, although the game still had a final twist with Sam Gallagher deemed not to be supporting his own weight during a jackal and was given a yellow card, to Dunvant’s relief there were only seconds left on the clock for the 14 men to close out the win with the final score finishing at 25-19.

Jordan Jackson was named the official man of the match by the officials on the night.
Congratulations to Jon and Mike together with the management team, a just reward for their hard work this season.
This win closes the season for Dunvant and provides them some silverware to lift in the club presentation evening on the 12th May. Well done lads, a great win and season.

Tries - Tom Gigg, Jordan Jackson, Sam Hawkes,
Penalty - Richard Lewis 2
Conversion - Richard Lewis 2
more details to follow