Penclawdd started brightly and looked very powerful, however it was Loughor who opened the scoring after 15 minutes when outside half Peter Smiriglia slotted a penalty. Loughor 3 –0 Penclawdd

Penclawdd fought back in impressive fashion with forwards Spencer Bessant and Richard Deakin winning good lineout ball and the Penclawdd ‘front five’ putting their opponents under tremendous pressure in the scrum. After sustained pressure, a penalty won 5 metres out was quickly tapped by Paul James who sneaked over for the score. Loughor 3-5 Penclawdd

The game quickened in tempo and was exciting for the spectators although the skills exhibited by both sides were wanting at times. Loughor missed a glorious chance to score under the posts when poor handling denied the score.

Penclawdd stormed back through forwards Spencer Bessant, Stuart John and Paul Isaac who was tackled into touch 5 metres out. From the resulting lineout Richard Deakin won clean ball and fed Stuart ‘Rock’ John who was unstoppable from 5 metres out, much to the delight of the large Penclawdd contingent in the crowd. Rhys Williams slotted the conversion to take the score to Loughor 3-12 Penclawdd.

Just before half time Penclawdd were on the offensive again through the outstanding Spencer Bessant, James Ratti and Ceri Jones. Bessant showed the home defence a clean pair of heels but was hauled down 2 metres from the line.

A dropped pass in midfield was scooped up by the Loughor No.10 Peter Smiriglia who raced from the halfway line to score under the posts. He also added the conversion. Loughor 10 – 12 Penclawdd

The game quickly accelerated in pace with Loughor going close on a couple of occasions. For Penclawdd Spencer Bessant again made some impressive yards with two tremendous bursts into the home defence.

Loughor took the lead when, after a Penclawdd infringement Peter Smiriglia slotted a penalty. Loughor 13 – 12 Penclawdd

Breaks by forwards Matthew Davies and Richard Deakin took Penclawdd deep into Loughor territory. Good pressure in the resulting scrum saw Paul James rob his opposite number and show good strength to make the score under the posts. Rhys Williams added the easy conversion. Loughor 13 – 19 Penclawdd

Loughor put Penclawdd under tremendous pressure in the last 5 minutes and despite the efforts of Paul Isaac and Richard Deakin in defence, they scored out wide through No. 10 Peter Smiriglia. Unfortunately for Loughor Smiriglia failed with the conversion that proved to be the last kick of a very entertaining encounter.

After the defeat to Trebanos this was a much-improved performance by Penclawdd. The ‘front five’ forwards were tremendous in the set pieces and were ably backed up by the back row. Good performances came from Rhys Williams, Paul James and Stuart ‘Rock’ John but the Man of the Match award went to Spencer Bessant for an outstanding performance that was probably his best in the red jersey. Penclawdd can now look forward to playing Fishguard at home next Saturday when a win will almost certainly secure a second place finish in the Division.