Last Minute Penalty Knocks Youth Out Of Cup

Today's game was a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams that got the New Year off to an exciting start - Sadly the result did not go our way!!!!!

The game was a Swansea & District Cup quarter final that was played at home in Dunvant on a damp and wet Saturday afternoon - Nothing new there with all the rain we've had over the past few months.

Having lost away to Vardre in November (21 - 5) in the league we knew that this was going to be a tough encounter to start with following the festive break. Vardre remain unbeaten in the league this season.

Vardre started today's encounter with pressure being put on Dunvant from the off. Dunvant's defence holding out well in the first five minutes until we settled into the game. The first score of the game came from Dunvant full back Tom Lewis with a strong run-in leaving the opponents in his trail. This score came twelve minutes into the game and was converted by outside half Dannie White - 7 - 0. A penalty opportunity was also missed by Dannie White in the first period.

Just before half time Vardre pulled back 3 points with a penalty - Half Time score Dunvant 7 Vardre 3.

From our earlier encounter in the season we knew that Vardre would come at us in the second half but we started strongly with a well worked try being scored by Dannie White four minutes into the second half that was also converted by the try scorer. 14 - 3 to the home team.

Ten minutes into the second half Vardre took their chances with an unconverted try being scored - 14 - 8. Dunvant remained under a lot of pressure from the visitors who again scored a second unconverted try of the game in the twenty fourth minute of the game 14 - 13.

The away team continued to exert pressure on us and it looked as if we just may hold on to the lead with the end of the game in sight. With a few injuries during the second half the referee played what seemed to be an eternity of injury time. In the sixth minute and final minute of the game Vardre were awarded a penalty in from of the sticks. Unfortunately for us the kicker managed his only successful kick of the second half, the visitors snatching victory 14 - 16.

Good team performance but we must work on our game management. Closing down tight games and using the clock to our advantage to ensure that we hold on to leads. Heads up boys and on to the next game!!!!!!