Rugby

Tregaron still flying high

Swalec Division Six West

Tregaron 22

Falls Bay 12

THE winning show keeps rolling on as Tregaron performed a league double over the Gower outfit, writes Geraint Morgan.
It was very disappointing for the home pack that their counterparts opted for uncontested scrums from the outset, a ploy that has been used by their opponents on a few occasions over recent seasons.
Removing contested scrums from the game favours the lighter forwards and it tends to open the game up earlier than is normally the case. For the first 20 minutes of the game, the home team were in the ascendancy and monopolised possession, and numerous line breaks were made, and a number of chances were created.
Two of these opportunities were taken by wingers Rhydian Davies and Ed Hurion, while Dylan Garner converted both to give an impressive lead of 14 points.
However, in the period prior to half-time Tregaron lost their way slightly and over complicated their play, which allowed Falls Bay to come back into the game.
From quick turnover ball the visitors released their left winger who chipped over the last line of defence, and the Llanelli match referee decided that he was taken out late, and awarded a penalty try.
The half-time score of 14-7 didn’t reflect the overall superiority of the home team.
The second half became a disjointed affair and instead of going back to basics the home side was dragged into a dogfight.
From loose play, Falls Bay moved the ball quickly once more and scored well in the corner. At 14-12 the home pack had to stamp their authority once more on the game and this they did do to an extent.
Garner extended the lead with a penalty kick and then Huw Bonner, at number 10, eluded two tackles from a scrum five to make the game safe with the final try.
Not for the first time this season, the last 10 minutes became a frantic affair as Tregaron pushed for a fourth try and the bonus point. On at least three occasions it would have been obtained if the final pass had gone to hand, but it wasn’t to be.
It is a fantastic position that Tregaron find themselves in, whereby celebrations are only tempered by the lack of a bonus point. There are just six games left in the campaign and its likely that race for the league honours will go down to the wire.

• In the Llanelli and District Worthington Championship, Lampeter’s second team returned empty-handed from their trip to Laugharne after a 17-13 defeat.
The visitors were in contention throughout thanks to tries by flanker Gareth Jones and fly-half Callum Williams plus a penalty from the boot of full-back Chris Morgan, but the home side held firm to win.

Pictured above: Tregaron’s Rhydian Davies on a charge against Falls Bay. Pic: Meilyr Wyn-Hughes.