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SKEWEN V NEWCASTLE EMLYN

A successful pre- season for Skewen RFC with wins over Treorchy and Loughor.

Treorchy arrived at Skewen having just failed in the play offs last season to make the Championship. They proved to be a tough side well coached by ex-Welsh internationals Andrew Bishop and Ian Evans. Although a little rusty some good football was played and the set piece was strong. Final score Skewen 24 Treorchy 10

Skewen then travelled to Loughor to play in a game dedicated to the memory of Richard Thomas ( a current Skewen player known by all in Loughor RFC ,his previous club, as Decky ,but remembered by Skewen Players and supporters alike as Psycho), who sadly and suddenlypassed away in the off season.

It proved to be a tough hard fought encounter with both sides committed at ruck and maul. Some good football was played by both sides with Skewen eventually running out winners 36 -15

The positives so far. 

The set piece especially the scrum is looking strong thanks to the effort and support put in by our Skewen Osprey Paul James. The return of Gareth Morris, Luke Hughes, Luke Myatt and Dai Morgan from long terms injuries andthe signing of some useful pacey wingers in Luke Thomas,Mitchell Watson and Guy Wintle.

The negatives are that we are still a small squad who will miss the Likes of Ed Price and Rhodri Hughes.

But now the 2017/18 Championship season has started. On Saturday the 2nd of September our first visitors to Tennant Park were Newcastle Emlyn.

It was Emlyn who started the stronger and it was only stout defence that prevented an early score. Despite Skewen gaining more possession and territory it was Emlyn who scored the first points on 15 minutes through a try by their 2nd row. Good phase play and quick recycling saw a scrambled Skewen defence beaten on the 22 giving a clear run under the posts which was converted by the Emlyn full back   Skewen 0 Newcastle Emlyn 7.

Following this Skewen were able to pick up the pace of the game, winning a series of driving mauls into the Emlyn half. A quick change of direction by outside half Anthony Busselli brought winger Gareth Morris in at a clever angle breaking the Emlyn line to run in near the posts for a try in the 19th minute converted by Anthony Busselli. Skewen 7 Newcastle Emlyn 7.

In the dying minutes of the half Emlyn were again on top and following a yellow card to Skewen  prop James Reeves the resulting scrum 10 yards out saw Emlyn exploit the man down to score a converted try. Half time scoreSkewen 7 Newcastle Emlyn14.

The early encounters of the second half were evenly matched with defences on both sides cancelling out attacks. However as the half progressed Skewen gained in both territory and possession. A period of extended pressure saw a series of penalties in the Emlyn 22. As a result of increased dominance scrum options were taken and to good effect with a yellow card and penalty try being awarded to the Skewen pack. Skewen 14 Newcastle Emlyn 14.

Undaunted Emlyn continued to attack and on the 34thminute were awarded a penalty in the Skewen half which was duly converted to give Emlyn the lead. Skewen 14Newcastle Emlyn 17.

Emlyn were now in the ascendency and pressurising in the Skewen 22. However with the pack winning an attacking scrum it gave outside half Anthony Busselli the opportunity to break out of defence bringing in blind side winger Mathew Billet who raced up the field feeding inside to his fellow winger Gareth Morris who crossed for a dramatic 38th minute try which converted by Anthony Busselli gave Skewen the lead . Skewen 21 Newcastle Emlyn 17.

Emlyn threw everything at Skewen in the dying minutes and it was left to hooker Lucus Edwards to pull off a match saving tackle out wide to prevent Emlyn a last gasp victory.

Final Score   Skewen 21 Newcastle Emlyn 17

Skewen Team V Newcastle Emlyn 

15 Adam Rowlands

14 Luke Hughes (replaced by Mathew Billet)

13 Tom Kingdom

12 Andrew Collins Capt.

11 Gareth Morris 

10 Anthony Busselli 

9 Jamie Kirkhouse (replaced by James Ball)

8. Jo Lewis vice Capt. (replaced by Dai Morgan)

6 Luke Myers

5 Aled Mogford

4 Ollie Thompson  

3Johnny Gethin ( replaced by Mark Jones)

2 Lucas Edwards 

1Steffan Bond (replaced by James Reeves)