Fixture

Penybanc 12 – 36 Burry Port
Burry Port came away from a tricky fixture with a 5 try victory and a maximum haul to keep them at the top end of the 3 West B table. Conditions were slippery under foot but both teams tried to play attractive rugby and handling was good given the conditions. Burry Port were first to score with a drive towards the Penybanc posts, and with the home team struggling to contain the Burry Port attack, a penalty was conceded for slowing down the ball illegally. Burry Port elected to take the points and up stepped experienced out-side half Ceiron Thomas who slotted over from close range. With a breeze at their backs Burry Port had a stranglehold with territorial advantage coming from some smart tactical kicking from Thomas. Penybanc at times were holding on and a scrum close to their line saw speedy winger Adam Davies slide over in the corner after an effective 8-9 combination made the overlap. Thomas converted from the touch-line to make the score 0-10. With the backs looking sharp, there were a number of half breaks but the home defence showed great resolve to nullify the threat. Another infringement at the breakdown saw Thomas put a neat touch finder to set up an attacking line-out close to the Penybanc line. A good catch from influential flanker Oliver Dunleavy was followed by a powerful drive and back rower Richard Parker crossed for a well taken try. Penybanc competed strongly at the break down and had plenty of bulk to cause damage but the Burry Port defence was aggressive and the half ended with Penybanc being camped in their own half for long period of the game. Half Time 0-15.
The second half continued with good territorial advantage for ‘The Blacks’ and when live-wire scrum half Ashley Phillips made a sniping run up the blind-side it looked like the Penybanc defence had it covered, but a well timed off-load out of the tackle fed Adam Davies on his shoulder who raced in to touch down under the posts. Thomas converted to make the score 22 nil to Burry Port. The Blacks were keen to get a bonus point and threw everything at Penybanc, who were reduced to 14 men following repeated infringements. The next try came after Burry Port’s captain Andy Francis saw an opportunity to take a quick tap penalty and created space for Richard Parker to touch down for his second under the posts. Thomas converted to make the score 29 nil with 20 minutes to go. Penybanc came back into the game with improved ball retention and built on this with good territorial advantage. They have been involved in tight games in the league this season and they responded well with a good forwards try after a period of good pressure. A touchline conversion game gave Burry Port a reminder that they are a good outfit and left the score 7-29. Both teams continued to play good rugby and kept the crowd on their toes, and it was from a line out on the 10 yard line that saw a neat midfield move resulting in Adam Davies making a clean break to race in unopposed under the posts. Replacement out-side half Ben Williams slotted over the conversion to make it 7-36 with 5 minutes to the final whistle. It was the home team who had the final word when repeated attacks saw them cross for another well deserved forwards try to end the game Penybanc 12 – 36 Burry Port. Player coach Gareth Gravell was delighted with the performance and the manner in which his team played. ‘We were clear we needed to respond well following a hugely frustrating game last weekend, and we feel we were allowed to play rugby this week and it resulted in an exciting game with us scoring 5 tries and Penybanc scoring two.’ He would have also been pleased by Youth Player Archie Davies making his senior debut at Tighthead prop, another player to come through the system at Burry Port RFC.

Burry Port play at New Dock Stars in the second round of the Bowl next weekend and a big travelling crowd is expected.