Wednesday, 15 January 2014

Swalec Bowl Round Four Review

Llantwit Major created club history at the weekend when they secured a spot in the last 16 of the Swalec Bowl with a 12-3 home victory over 2012 winners Glyncoch.

Major, celebrating their 125th year, are in hunt of silverware to mark the special occasion, 50 years since their last notable trophy win when they claimed the Silver Ball.

The clash was a typical cup encounter with both sides making uncharacteristic errors that saw the teams locked 3-3 at the interval. After the break, however, a mistake in the Glyncs' backline saw the ball fumbled - the hosts hacking through and with the visitors' defence at sixes and sevens, wing Marcus Pearce capitalised to cross for the decisive score.

Although both sides hail from Division Four South East, the Glyncs started as favourites due to their cup pedigree and impressive league form, but being viewed as the underdogs helped Llantwit Major says Team Manager Neil Evans.

“Preparation was key for us as we hadn’t played since December 21, so we trained well. But, the night before the match, the WRU released a preview basically saying Glyncoch shouldn’t worry about playing us and that was the team talk done and dusted. We didn’t need any more incentive.”

Meanwhile, a number of Division Six sides caused upsets in the competition, with Six East’s Tredegar Ironsides producing the shock of the fourth round, as they dispatched Four East highfliers Ynysddu 15-13 to book a last 16 place.

The Ironsides outscored their hosts by two tries to one with touchdowns from Darren Philpotts and Matthew Edwards, while Ryan Hill added the extras to one and a penalty to clinch a famous win.

Another side celebrating a shock victory are Hartridge, after the Six South East leaders blew away Four East’s Oakdale 26-10.

However, there was no giant killing for St Clears as the Five West side were comprehensively put to the sword by Division Four’s Lampeter, going down 60-8, while Six West’s Burry Port gave Four South West’s Cwmgors a run for their money before succumbing 31-28.

Moving north, in an all Division Two clash Mold ran out easy winners as they comfortably saw off Shotton Steel 43-0.

Aaron Jones was the hero of the day for Mold as he bagged a hat-trick, while John Shirley, Ryan Kirby and Luke Jones also went over.

In the battle of the Four East highfliers, it was hosts Abertysswg that came out on top with the slenderest of victories over Nantyglo, winning out 11-10.

Elsewhere, in an all Five East clash, Beaufort came out on top as they dispatched Caerleon 22-12.

Matt Jordan was the star of the show for Beaufort as the fly-half landed 17 of his side’s points from the tee, while Michael White crossed for the game’s only try.

Finally, Four South East highfliers Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd also ensured safe passage in to the next round thanks to a 39-17 home win over close rivals Llandaff.

The draw for the last 16 of the competition:-

Swalec Bowl, Round 5
Cowbridge v Nantymoel
Hartridge v Laugharne
Lampeter Town v Clwb Rygbi Cymry Caerdydd
Llantwit Major v Beaufort
Old Illtydians v Abertysswg
Pyle v Cwmgors
Tredegar Ironsides v Llandudno RFC / Menai Bridge
Ystradgynlais v Mold

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