League Two West Central

Taibach 8 Cwmgors 20

CWMGORS completed the double over Taibach with a second win over the hosts in a fortnight after the 17-10 victory at the Maerdy earlier this month.

The victory was a massive win in the fight at the foot of the table and saw the Cherries edge closer to safety while the hosts remained locked at the foot of Two West Central.

Taibach squandered a number of early penalty opportunities before eventually taking a 3-0 lead, but Cwm levelled matters soon after when centre Steff Rees responded with a penalty of his despite playing into a strong breeze.

A tight half dominated by forwards ended all square on a pitch that was heavy but surprisingly good considering the recent deluge.

The Cherries benefitted with the wind at their backs for the second half, but were caught cold when Taibach’s wing raced over for the opening try of the game.

Rees missed a long-range penalty chance before his side hit back after a penalty to touch. Cwmgors won the resulting lineout and set up a driving maul close to the home line.

The hosts pulled down the charge to give the referee little option other than to award the penalty try. Rees’ conversion gave Cwm the lead for the first time and his boot soon extended the lead when he added another penalty to make it 13-8.

The visitors’ superior fitness and defensive qualities were evident in the last ten minutes and they sealed matters with a further try five minutes from time as replacement-prop Danny Jones, back from injury, capitalised on good forward play to dive on the loose ball in the home goal area.

The well-deserved victory saw Cwmgors leapfrog Neath Athletic and Taibach at the foot of the table with games in hand also.

Cwmgors face a tough task on Saturday, when they travel to high-flying Ystradgynlais, before entertaining Nantymoel on February 20.