Fixture

Tries in each half from new Alltwen player coaches Chris Balf and Jordan Hopkins helped put the seal on a hard earned but encouraging first game of the season win, over visitors South Gower.

Following a spell of fine late August weather, the new season was greeted with a deluge and swirling wind more typical of mid season. It was obvious that both sides entered the match with a fine weather mindset that belied the conditions. The game was consequently littered with handling errors, neither side adjusting their tactics sufficiently to reflect the poor conditions.

The result was largely a first half stalemate, memorable for one fine attacking run by young wing Tom Reilly which nearly brought him a deserved score and for the only try by Chris Balf following some close-up work by the pack. 

The second half continued in the same vein, mistakes leading to niggles, with Nick ‘Nasty’ Chart notably throwing his weight about when there was a gust of wind in his favour. Alltwen were able  to extend their lead through an excellent distance penalty goal from fly-half Nick Williams.

However it was the strong South Gower pack who began to exert some control, particularly at the scrum. Had they determined to keep the ball tight, the outcome could have been very different. However their insistence on spreading the ball led to further errors, until a period of Alltwen pressure saw centre Jordan Hopkins cross the line from close range for a decisive score.

Wing Tom Reilly received the man of the match award, as he continues to learn and improve his game.  Honourable mentions should also go to Twm “Farmer’ Hopkin marking his full return from a long injury with an equally long awaited move to loose head, and to veteran full back Andrew  ‘Blondy’ Roberts for his first right boot clearance in 20 years. (His left leg now tiring easily).

Alltwen’s new coaches will be pleased at both the result and continued excellent turn out at training, all of which bodes well for what could be a challenging first encounter with Brackla, away next Saturday 10^th, 2:30pm.