Fixture

Burry Port edged home in their first league fixture of the season away to a determined Furnace team. Both teams played the game in the right spirit and were willing to throw the ball about to create many scoring opportunities, however last ditch defence held firm and the first half saw the home team capitalising on infringements with Furnace Full Back Ashley Powell slotting over a penalty. The Blacks came back and were creating plenty of chances but despite many line breaks, with Luke Rudall and Owen Thomas looking sharp, there were too many handling errors close to the Furnace try line and the first try was elusive. Some good forward play close to the line resulted in an overlap however the pass was not gathered and Furnace escaped. A  penalty and a kick to the corner set up an intensive period with Furnace having to defend their try line with courage. A turn over and charge up-field resulted in another 3 points from the boot of Powell, and with another penalty being awarded soon after Powell made the score 9-0 to Furnace at half time with Burry Port having much of the territory and possession.

The second half saw Burry Port turn the screw at the scrum with the pack dominating at the contact area. With a desperate Furnace defence making it difficult for Burry Port, patience and some powerful scrummaging led to a number of scrum 5’s and finally Number 8 Llyr Sims crossed for a push over try. Scrum half Ben Williams converted. The game continued with many try scoring opportunities going begging but it was player coach Gareth Gravell who got the touchdown after intense pressure for the Blacks to move ahead. Williams added the conversion and the last period saw Furnace pressure the Burry Port line but a resolute defence held firm. The last play of the match was typical of the game with both teams looking to score, Furnace attacked from a line out, with Captain Geraint Williams leading by example, and spun the ball wide but with a solid defence Burry Port came away with the ball and cut loose upfield with Adam Rudall linking with Duane Evans and Stef Roberts who crossed the try line but was adjudged to have knocked on. The final whistle blew with Burry Port winning an entertaining match 14-9.