Division Two West (Central)
Neath Athletic 15 Cwmgors 14
Cwmgors were left kicking themselves after managing to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory as Neath earned an injury-time winning try to secure the win.
The result will have proved all the more frustrating for the Cherries who performed admirably despite arriving in Neath with a squad ravaged by illness and injury.
With the likes of Steff Rees and Caron Jones out behind the scrum,the visitors were forced to shuffle the pack — Chris Jones came out to play at scrum-half while Christian Madge deputised at outside-half.
The fact the match was on at all was due to a serious work on the Athletic pitch by enthusiastic volunteers beforehand after a biblical deluge transformed the surface into a quagmire.
Lock Richard Gregg stepped up for the Cwm place-kicking duties — and he soon gave his side an early lead with a penalty.
Neath levelled, but Gregg’s second kick restored the visitors’ advantage.
The Cwm forwards adapted to the gruelling conditions better than their hosts and, from a loose maul, they manufactured the opening try which saw hooker Cerith Dennard over under the posts.
Gregg’s third penalty success gave the Cherries a deserved 11-6 lead at half-time.
Cwmgors continued to have the better of the play entering the second half, and they created a beautiful try from 50 yards out as full back Lloyd Wason snaked in and out to elude defenders and score an excellent five-pointer.
Gregg’s conversion put Cwm well in the driving seat at 18-6.
Athletic gave themselves hope with a late try.
With Cwmgors praying for the final whistle, the game went into injury time and they were finally undone when the hosts grabbed the killer score.
A consolation for the visitors came in the form of a losing bonus point, but they will have felt the game was theirs.
For Cwmgors, openside flanker Ethan Price impressed all around the pitch, while the front-row of Danny Jones, Cerith Dennard and Rhodri Rees put in an excellent shift also.
Cwmgors next face Glyncorrwg at home on Saturday.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here