Division Two West Central

Cwmgors 48 Taibach 20

A terrific win for Cwmgors saw them leapfrog visitors Taibach in Division Two West Central.

The hosts made a solid start and were soon ahead at a sunny Maerdy when industrious Number 8 Dylan Hills crossed from close range after good work from his fellow forwards

The score proved the start of a productive day for Hills.

The visitors were soon on the back foot again as from a speculative chip ahead, centre Mike Hodges followed up to touch down. Outside-half Dave Scone, playing on a permit from Trebanos, put the icing on the cake with the conversion.

Taibach, who gave as good as they got in an entertaining match of flowing rugby, got on the scoreboard with a penalty before Hills grabbed his second try, manufactured in similar fashion to his first. Scone again added the extras before slotting a penalty to put clear blue water between the Cherries and their visitors.

A 22-3, the game seemed over as a contest before the interval and Hills completed his hat-trick to bring up the Cherries’ bonus point, with Scone again converting.

Turning around 29-3 to the good, the hosts were guilty of taking their foot off the gas as the visitors came thundering back into contention.

Taibach hit a rich vein of scoring form which yielded three tries in a short space of time to reduce arrears to 29-20, helped largely by a lethargic Cwm start to the half which culminated in a series of errors and turnovers.

But order was soon restored as Cwmgors awoke from their mid-match slumber.

A chip ahead and chase gave scrum half Chris Jones the chance to follow up and score Cwm’s fifth before Hills crashed over for his fourth of the day. Scone converted both, and there was still time for the hosts to add to their tally as from virtually the last movement of the game, winger Gavin Madge crossed the whitewash for the third match in succession.

Hills and Scone were excellent in a superb all-round team performance, but veteran blindside flanker Paul Caines was the star of the Cherries performance.

Cwmgors take a break this weekend, returning on February 21 with a trip to Resolven.

Cwmgors’ Seconds are in action this Saturday however, at Skewen in the Swansea & District Cup.