LOUGHOR RFC - THE BLUES

JANUARY UPDATE



Due to the cup postponements in December, the first league game of the 2012 was cancelled due to Kidwelly playing a rearranged cup tie. This allowed Loughor another week to work off the festive period.



JANUARY 14TH



The following week Loughor entertained bottom club Maesteg at the Villa who are currently propping up the rest of the league but the home team were under no illusions of the task ahead, as the visitors have improved dramatically since former British Lion Richard Webster has taken over the reigns as head coach. The visitors showed their intentions early on with good carrying through their forwards and were awarded a penalty which was converted to take a 3 nil lead.



Loughor responded strongly with returning second row Tom Blyth in blistering form with several runs and offloads, before he opened the scoring with a neat try in the corner from a lineout. He followed this up with another surge down field before giving a scoring pass to winger Jason Howells playing no 8 to touch down, converted by Andrew Williams.

With the score 12 -3, it was hoped that tries would continue freely but the rest of the half went the way of the visitors with their forwards playing well and controlling large portions of the first half. Loughor’s season long bad luck resurfaced losing Tom Blyth, Jason Howells and Andrew Williams by half time through injuries which knocked any momentum gathered and Loughor lost their shape and pattern. The second half continued with Maesteg working hard and the home team struggling to put any meaningful phases of play together.

Eventually Loughor regrouped in the last ten minutes after holding their line for long periods with forwards Rhys Bowen and Tom Davies prominent and veteran Peter Smiriglia leading the backline impressively in defence. The home team started going through the gears and utility forward Rhys Corcoran finished off a lineout drive and Smiriglia finished off an overlap to claim the bonus point win 26 – 3



JANUARY 21ST



The 21st January saw the tricky trip to Aberystwyth with several injuries and unavailable players, leaving very little options in selecting a team. Captain Nick O’Kelly returned to the fold from injury and the attitude was good before kick off. Loughor played into the wind in the first half and had to front up to a large aggressive home team but leaky defence in the centre allowed two tries for the home team and Loughor had to work hard to gain any territory. No 8 Ryan Hopkins was superb in breaking the gain line off the back of the scrum and good phase play saw centre Simon Stoneham dive over for a try, to make the score 19 -5 at half time. The second half was a frantic affair with the home team looking to use their backs and the visitors working through their forwards and the impressive Stoneham in the centre. Tries for lock Jon Bowen and outside half Peter Smigirlia brought Loughor to the table but once again Aber crossed for a try which seemed to have grasped the points for the home team. With minutes remaining skipper O’Kelly kept his best for last with a strike against the head 20 metres out, the forwards surged on and O’Kelly ploughed over to level the score at 27 27 leaving a touchline conversion which could have stolen the points, but scrum half Tom Davies attempt curled past the near post to leave a draw a fair result for both sides.



Players and coaches were pleased with three points on such a hard away fixture although the missed opportunities by some players is cause for alarm, and a serious looking injury to veteran Peter Smiriglia which will hopefully not keep him sidelined too long.



JANUARY 28TH



The month ended with the hugely anticipated cup fixture against div three high flyers Dunvant at the Villa who had already collected the scalp of Felinfoel and produced some excellent results in the league. In contrast once again Loughor plagued by injury/unavailability and inconsistency knew they had to produce a big performance to topple the visitors.



Loughor started well through their pack and centres Andrew Mead and Simon Stoneham, winning the early exchanges and gaining plenty of possession and territory. Fullback Tom Davies slotted an early penalty and after a wave of attacks with several forwards going close, the ball was swung out to stand in winger James Renowden to dive over, converted by Davies. Dunvant rallied well and were dangerous through their captain Mitchell Ford and fellow backs and they picked up a penalty after good pressure, to make the score 11-3. Loughor continued to press with good runs from no 8 Phillips and Rhys and Jon Bowen in the second row and Davies knocked another penalty over to take it to 14-3 at halftime.



The second half saw the game continued in the same pattern but Dunvant seemed to have a zip in their step and played with more pace and stretched the home teams defence. The visitor’s large pack started winning more possession and gaining confidence in everything they did. Soon the tide was turning and it was Loughor struggling to contain the visitors and they crossed for a try and picked up several penalties to tie the score 14 -14 with 15 minutes to go. Dunvant continued to pressure and slotted a fourth kick to lead the game in the closing stage. Loughor stepped up their game for a frenetic last quarter and were awarded a penalty after good work by the forwards only for Tom Davies to see his attempt to sail well wide. Loughor pushed hard but Dunvant defence held out and the final whistle went for the visitors to claim their second division two scalp in the Swalec Plate.



Loughor had missed opportunities in the final quarter but their was no question the attitude and effort was there and going into the second half of the season after a tricky month which has been pleasing for Head coach Mark Brennan, the senior squad will look to push and build towards the Aberavon Quins game on 11th Feb and remaining fixtures. Also the return of Pasquale Smiriglia on the coaching front will help the seniors after his return from illness.



Unfortunately whilst the firsts have worked hard to field a competitive squad the club second team has taken the brunt of the call ups and January has been a frustrating time for Chris, Paul and some of the 2nd team regulars.