After a lot of rain the night before the game, it was a surprise to all that the game went ahead. In the opening quarter of the game there were handling errors galore by both teams, as well as a lot of slips and wayward passes. The play was mainly in the midfield until Burry Port had a penalty, and opted to go for a lineout downfield after a great kick by outside half Steff Powell. The ball was gathered at the front of the lineout and taken forward by a number of players before blacks winger Luke Rudall was able to dive over in the corner.
The game carried on in the same manner it started with wet conditions making it hard for any fluidity in either side’s game plan. On the stroke of half time, Betws kicked a penalty to make the score at the break Betws 3 – 5 Burry Port.
In the second half, it was the hosts who scored first thanks to a penalty, which put them ahead on the scoreboard. Soon after, Burry Port scrum half Ben Williams slotted a penalty to put the visitors back in the lead at 6 -8.
The second try of the game went to Burry Port, after some good work to get up field, led to Richard Parker having the power to bundle his way over, with the conversion going just wide.
The fitness of Burry Port shone through for the rest of the game as they spent long periods in the Betws half, and from a ruck near the line, loosehead prop Matthew Gower showed great vision as he picked the ball and sprinted over under the posts. The conversion was added this time by Ben Williams.
The all important bonus point try was soon added after the ball was kicked deep into the Burry Port half, and Steffan Powell kicked it up field, and the good chase by himself led to him gathering an awkward bouncing ball and diving over in the corner.
The coaching staff were very pleased with how the team reacted after a tight affair in the first half. They now have a hard week training before they welcome Wrexham to Burry Port Memorial Park on the 14th January in the next round of their WRU Bowl defence. Kick off for that game is at 2.00pm and the squad are hoping for a big loud home crowd to cheer them on.
