Fixture

After suffering a first defeat all season in the last league fixture New Panteg’s coaches challenged their players to show some character and return to winning ways. Beaufort turned out to be a much more organised and resilient outfit than which was trounced earlier in the season and on a glue-pot pitch made Panteg work for every metre. The hosts are well aware that winning is a must from now on and bonus points are also vital in the quest for promotion, and they started in ideal fashion. George Collins standing in for the injured Gwatkin at fly half took the direct route through his opposite number for an early try which was easily converted by stand-in kicker Bury. A speculative kick down field by the visitors was gathered and swiftly ran back in increasingly difficult conditions and when the ball was fed to Natthaphong he unselfishly fed speedster Hinwood who raced over for a second score. Bury slotted the extra’s and an extremely comfortable afternoon looked to be on the cards but Beaufort belied their position at the basement of the table and took the game forcefully to Panteg. After a period of sustained pressure and possession Beaufort managed to drive their way over from a lineout to reduce the deficit at the interval.

The pressure of winning and securing a bonus point in dreadful conditions was proving problematic for New Panteg, until cometh the hour, cometh the man!! Ben Davies who had come onto the field as an early replacement at number 8 ran in two scintillating touchdowns both from halfway without a hand being placed on him. This exceptional running changed the course of the game and settled any nerves there may have been and Bury again added the conversions. Second row Dan Youngs then finished off another flowing move before replacement winger Eveson showed exceptional pace to score in the corner. Bury converted from the tightest of angles to maintain his impeccable record and showed the coaches they have a more than capable backup to the prolific Gwatkin.

The Man of Steel was awarded to Ben Davies, mostly due to his two fabulous tries but also for his defensive qualities and mention must go to the opposition who if they can maintain the improvements shown will certainly be capable of fighting off relegation.