Tata Steel overtook Narberth at the top of Division One West thanks to a crucial 24-0 bonus point victory over UWIC, and with only one game remaining, the Margam side take a single point advantage into the final weekend.
On a perfect evening for running rugby at Tata’s Sports Ground, both teams looked to spread the ball early on with the hosts' wing Gbemi Fisher looking particularly dangerous. However, it was UWIC that looked the most likely to take the lead when wing Nick Jones was halted inches from the line and the hosts repelled the resultant waves of drives from the Students' pack, eventually winning a penalty after great work at the breakdown by back row Robbie Morgan.
The hosts got onto the front foot with some strong running from the midfield partnership of Mike Davies and Scott Robinson, and with UWIC under increasing pressure, they collapsed a driving maul from 5 metres out. When the hosts packed down from a scrum, there was only going to be one outcome as the Students' scrum disintegrated and Morgan controlled the ball well for a simple try. Fullback Cameron Clement added the extras with ease.
By this stage, Tata were completely dominating proceedings up front and with the silky skills of Clement scything the line, it was only a matter of time before they extended their lead. The score that came didn’t disappoint, fly half Simon Evans received the ball flat in midfield dancing past two defenders to show great pace to outsprint the cover from 40 metres out. Unfortunately for Evans, that was his last action of the game, turning an ankle while fending off a last ditched tackle.
Moments later they could have extended their lead. With Clement switched to outside half, he showed great hands to release Jordan Skidmore, but the wing wasted the opportunity with a chip ahead followed by a theatrical dive into UWIC fullback Steff Duggan in a hope of gaining a penalty, but the referee failed to be moved and waved play on.
Tata Steel did finally extend their advantage before the break when the UWIC midfield defence was once again found wanting leaving Fisher free to touchdown beneath the posts with Clement adding the straightforward conversion to take a 19-0 lead.
After the interval, it was the visitors that started the better, but once again failed to convert any of their chances as the match descended into a scrappy affair, with Tata desperately in search of the crucial fourth try. This anxiety came to the fore on more than one occasion when the hosts were only inches from the line, as the forwards twice took the wrong option at the base and UWIC were able to clear their lines.
With the crowd sensing the players' frustration, the anxiety grew but a great counter-attack and interplay from Davies, Morgan and Ewan Hopkins took the hosts from one 22 to the other, with UWIC’s Kyle Taylor forced to illegally slow play down, leaving referee David Jones with no option but to send him to the sin bin.
With the numerical advantage, the hosts kicked to the corner from the resultant penalty and after their earlier indecisions, the forwards redeemed themselves from the driving line out, lock Danny Hockin powering his way over the line much to the relief of the home crowd and his team mates.
Tata Steel now travel to Waunarlwydd on Saturday knowing that the destiny of the One West Championship is in their hands. If they secure a bonus point victory, they will definitely win the title, Narberth on the other hand know they must do the same at Llanharan and hope Waunarlwydd do them a favour.
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