Dunvant 2nds beat Seven Sisters 3-25 in the Cup

This was Dunvant’s second visit to Seven Sisters and the third game against the two sides since Christmas. However, with Saturday’s game being the first round of the cup Dunvant needed to make this one count. With players being called up into the firsts team squad on the Saturday morning this put pressure on numbers. The ever-green Mike Smith came on to the bench and was Dunvant’s only replacement.

Dunvant played with the wind first half, although it was Seven Sisters that exerted the first round of pressure after Dunvant failed to call a ‘mark’ after an up and under into their 22. Dunvant showed a strong defence to keep Seven out in these opening encounters although were caught offside, which gifted the home team with 3 points and an early lead.

Dunvant started to gain some possession and make their way into the game. However, after only 10 minutes a passage of play resulted in 3 of Dunvant’s players needing treatment, Callum Irvine with a cut to the head, Rhys Barrow (shoulder) and Scott Hill taking a heavy tackle from Seven Sisters second row and also injuring his shoulder. Unfortunately for Scott the blow to the shoulder resulted him having to leave the field. Therefore, it was an early entry into the game for Mike Smith, who came on in the backrow with Scott McGregor moving to Hooker and Leslie Cole moving across to Prop.

Dunvant started to make in roads into the Seven half with some strong running from both forwards and backs. This pressure rewarded them with a penalty that Dannie White slotted between the posts to put the scores level.

Dunvant continued to exert pressure and broke the line numerous times but couldn’t find the second pass to continue the attacks. That was until Jonny Jones showed good skills to pop the ball to Mike Smith just in side the Seven Half. Mike ran a good angle that broke the defensive line and showed pace and strength to step and bust the second tackle attempt then win the foot race into the corner to score Dunvant’s first try. Dannie White awarded Mike’s efforts with a touchline conversion and Dunvant moved into a half time lead 3-10.

Dunvant continue to play most of the rugby with Seven’s kicking game, now with the wind behind them, being neutralised and punished by Full Back Nicolas Maestri who continued to beat the first man. Dunvant started to dominate and a try came from Captain Michael Mizzi, which was unconverted. However, this was quickly followed by another penalty from Dannie White, which took Dunvant more than two scores ahead.

The game was finished off by a converted try from Scrum Half Joe Woodward and the final score was 3-25 to Dunvant. This was a great effort from the team with 14 players having to put in a full 80 mins and a 50+ substitute coming on for 70 and also scoring.

This takes Dunvant into the next round of the cup against Bonymaen on the 30th March.