Wednesday, 7 November 2012

Swansea University outclass Welsh rivals in 15-try thriller


Swansea University overcame Welsh rivals Glamorgan 60-32 in a try-fest at Sketty Lane, with centre duo Sam Soul and Elliot Jones starring for the hosts.

The Green and Whites, playing in front of a home crowd for the first time in the BUCS South Premier A, helped themselves to nine tries in a match where defence was almost non-existent, but attacking skill was copious.

Captain Jonathan Vaughan was making his first start for the Green and Whites this term and directed his troops well while impressing in the loose and providing a safe pair of hands in the lineout, while prop Steff Jones was a nuisance at the breakdown all afternoon and made the hard yards with the ball in hand.

The hosts were on top from the get-go and never relinquished their lead as they raced into a 12-0 advantage, thanks to some lovely backs interplay. A jinking run from outside half Ianto Griffiths broke the Glamorgan defence with Soul on his shoulder to cross after just 3 minutes, before wing Jackson Szabo sent Elliot Jones clear.

Glamorgan, who have yet to pick up a victory, looked stunned but after catching Swansea asleep with a short attacking lineout, the Blue and Yellows worked the ball wide for Jack Barrett to go over in the corner.

However, their revival was quickly quashed as Szabo showed great awareness to send full back Ben Thomas over the whitewash, swiftly followed by Jones’ second of the afternoon as the diminutive centre put on the afterburners to go beneath the posts.

The second half was a much more equal affair with both sides running in five tries each in an unstructured but high tempo exchange. Glamorgan’s Matt Smith flourished in the unbroken style of play with the centre helping himself to four wonderfully well-taken tries, while Joe Bridger also touched down for the visitors.

The biggest cheer of the afternoon came when the Green and Whites’ number 8, James McWilliams-Grey, went on a barn storming 60-metre burst that saw him barge multiple defenders out of the way for Soul to capitalise on the overlap and go over for his second of the afternoon.

Shortly after, Szabo notched up a well-deserved touchdown while Andrew Claypole also got in on the action, before replacements Josh Hammett and Adam Scanlon put the fixture beyond doubt.

Although Swansea coach Richard Lancaster will be happy with the win, he will know his defence will need to improve markedly when they visit Bath next week. Glamorgan on the other hand will look to build on the positives when they welcome Cardiff to Trefforest.

Star Man – James McWilliams-Grey.

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