Fixture

Burry Port grab a 5 try victory at Llangadog in difficult conditions. Storm Brian couldn’t blow off course Burry Port’s title ambitions, as the Blacks come away from a tricky away fixture with a 29-13 win, and remain top of Division 3 West B.
Playing into a strong wind, the first half was always going to be difficult and it was a poor start as Llangadog were 3- nil up within a minute after Burry Port were penalised from the kick off. The Blacks struck back quickly after a drive into the Llangadog half and an outside break from Adam Davies and a charge for the line saw a neat inside pass to Stef Powell who crossed in the corner for Burry Port’s first try. Llangadog opted to kick to the corners and apply pressure through their big pack and they were eventually rewarded when they crossed for a try following a scrum to re-take the lead at 8-5. There were promising moves from the Blacks but the wind and rain limited slick handling and the half drew to a close with Burry Port starting to take control of the possession with good line out drives. HT 8-5
Ben Williams, at Scrum Half, put together a fine kicking display in the second half and Llangadog found themselves having to clear their lines with Tom Bowen and Adam Davies applying pressure with a kick chase. From an attacking lineout Ben Williams carried the ball and found Tom Bowen who burst through with a powerful run to score close to the posts, with Williams adding the conversion to make it 8-12. With more possession Burry Port again applied pressure on Llangadog’s line and a quick tap penalty was taken by Burry Port Captain Andy Francis who crashed over for a try, again converted by Williams. Llangadog tried to move up field but were under the cosh and Gareth Gravell went close but saw his grubber go over the dead ball line. From the 22 drop out kick the ball was gathered by strong running centre Declan Knox who crossed for the important 4th try. Llangadog held onto possession and tried to pressurise the visitors and a line break saw a well taken individual try in the corner to bring the score to 13-24. Burry Port had the last word with a long range effort from Tom Bowen who crossed for his second to make the final score 13-29. Coach Gareth Gravell said ‘I’m pleased with the way the boys handled the conditions, and especially pleased with the performance of Hooker Ben Edwards, Prop Archie Davies, and Number 8 Kingsley Powell who are all youth players who stepped up into the First XV in difficult conditions today.’
Burry Port travel to Taffs Well next Saturday when they play in the 3rd Round of the Bowl, it is of course a rematch of the 2016 final when the Blacks made a spectacular second half come-back to win a thrilling match. A supporters bus is available for the fixture.