With no Senior games this weekend, Dunvant were confident of having a full squad available for this game, but with three withdrawals in the week, and FIVE this morning, they were left with only thirteen available players. In a neighbourly gesture, Gorseinon agreed it would be a full league fixture played with 13 men a side, and with no Dunvant front row, passive scrums would feature throughout the game.
Dunvant scored almost immediately with a try in the right hand corner for 5-0, with Gorseinon waiting twenty minutes for their first score, a penalty, for 5-3.. Five minutes later Gorseinon scored their first try for 5-8. Dunvant were maintaining a worthy challenge and on around 30 minutes Dunvant’s No. 8 scored under the posts, converted by Adam Williams for 12-8. On the stroke of half time, Gorseinon scored a second try near the corner, the conversion attempt hit the post, and Gorseinon had a half time lead of 12-13.
The next score came from Dunvant on 60 minutes with a penalty from Adam Williams to put Dunvant back in the lead at 15-13. At that point Dunvant centre Danny Davies arrived from work, and both sides played the remainder of the game with 14 players. Almost immediately, Gorseinon scored a third try for 15-18 and with five minutes of normal time remaining, an Adam Williams penalty kick brought the scores level at 18-18. Heartbreakingly, Gorseinon managed a fourth try for 18-23, and although Dunvant pressed extremely hard seeking a further score, time eventually ran out for them and the victory was deservedly Gorseinon’s..
Having shaken of the rust after such a long period of inaction, let’s hope Dunvant can muster a full squad for next Saturday’s home league game against Kenfig Hill.. Kick off is at 12.45 and that game will be followed by the Simon “Jinks” Jenkins Memorial Match at 2.30 p.m. before the Big Screen TV games on 6 Nations Super Saturday