Match Report

After the previous weekends encouraging victory over Pontardulais RFC home supporters were looking forward to a similar performance from the team in another tough fixture. Loughor arrived at the Rec with an impressive track record this season and they went into the game determined to bring the home teams winning run to an abrupt halt. As with the Pontardulais fixture, both teams had lost only one League game and that gave the game a keen edge as kick off approached.

Penclawdd were forced to make late changes with Tim Williams coming in for Matthew Davies, Paul Isaac for Spencer Bessant and Ceri Jones for the delayed Rhys Williams. Also included was Neath breakaway Richard Francis.

The early exchanges saw Loughor dominate play and their pressure was rewarded with a try by prolific scoring centre Peter Smiriglia who made the line after 4 minutes played. Penclawdd 0-5 Loughor

However, the game did not develop as hoped and the whistle of referee Richard Elliott was a dominating factor. While both sides showed plenty of commitment and effort, play was largely centred around the ruck and maul areas where both defences snuffed out the majority of attacks. This resulted in no further scores in the first half that proved to be frustrating for players and spectators alike.

Half Time Score - Penclawdd 0-5 Loughor

The game livened up in the second half when Penclawdd took the game to Loughor with scrum half Paul James to the fore. Attacking the Crofty end of the Rec, Leigh Ratti made good ground and the ball was moved out to wing Gareth Austin who lost possession going over in the corner.

However, Penclawdd kept up the pressure with some excellent scrumaging from the front row of Tim Williams, Owen Williams and Tim Eynon. From a scrum 10 metres out, Ceri Jones darted through and was driven over near the posts. Rhys Williams added the conversion. Penclawdd 7-5 Loughor

Immediately from the kick off Penclawdd showed their intentions when the ball was spun wide to Matthew Tucker who put in a neat chip to pin Loughor to within 20 metres of their line.

Further pressure particularly by second-rows Richard Deakin and Paul Isaac in the lineout and from Richard Francis, who showed his class with some great tight work, resulted in a try by Rhys Williams who also added the conversion. Penclawdd 14-5 Loughor

On 70 mins, Stuart John replaced Stuart Barrow on the flank. Two minutes later saw a disagreement between John Stephens of Loughor and Gary Humphries of Penclawdd that resulted in both players being dismissed.

Penclawdd tightened their grip further with some good attacking play from Ceri Jones and great driving from Stuart John that took play the Loughor line. From the resulting scrum Loughor were driven back and No. 8 Leigh Ratti powered over. Rhys Williams added the conversion. Penclawdd 21-5 Loughor

From the kick off Penclawdd showed great attacking flair through Richard Francis, Owen Williams and Leigh Ratti who were all prominent in a brilliant surge to the Loughor line. This was ‘vintage’ Penclawdd play that broke down just short of the line and proved to be the last significant action of the game.

Final Score – Penclawdd 21-5 Loughor

This was an excellent win by Penclawdd who needed to produce a good second-half display to overcome a plucky well drilled Loughor side to take them to joint top of the league table. In contention for man of the match were Tim Eynon, Leigh Ratti and Owen Williams but the management decided that No. 10 Ceri Jones deserved the award.

Penclawdd RFC Scorers

Tries: Ceri Jones, Rhys Williams, Leigh Ratti

Conversions: Rhys Williams (3)

Penalty Goals:

Penclawdd Man of the Match – Ceri Jones