Division Three West

Llandeilo 11 Gorseinon 22

The scoreline fails to tell the story in a game which Llandeilo did not deserve to lose - let alone by a two-score margin.

It would be incorrect to say the hosts played all the rugby, but they took the game to Gorseinon throughout and led for about 70 minutes.

For a number of seasons, fixtures between these two sides have been entertaining and open affairs - and this was no exception.

Llandeilo began with intensity and their early pressure led to Gorseinon conceding so many penalties that referee Dewi Griffiths was forced to issue a yellow card to their number eight as early as the 20th minute.

Two penalties by Owain Roberts were the home team’s only reward though, and they had to watch as Gorseinon full-back Josh Simmons finished off to score with his team’s only real attack of the first half. Andrew Colwill converted to give the visitors a 7-6 lead at the break.

The second half was even more open and Llandeilo had the early upper hand again.

A number of patient phases during which outstanding flanker Sion Jones fell inches short of the line finally resulted in Dan Thomas crossing to regain the lead.

The game became looser and Osian Williams almost went over following an interception but just as it looked like Llandeilo's pressure would see them hold on for a vital win, a desperate clearance kick bounced kindly for Gorseinon and Simmons crossed again for Colwill to convert.

To their credit, the home team refused to sit back and accept a losing bonus point and pressed hard to try and restore their lead.

This cost them, however, as, with nearly everyone up in attack, Gorseinon broke away again from their own half and Haycock struck the cruellest blow with another try.

It meant Llandeilo came away with nothing from a game to which they had contributed so much.