LOUGHOR RFC - THE BLUES

Loughor 15 Glyn - Neath 23

Loughor entertained table toppers Glyn Neath at the Villa and gave the league leaders a run for their money with a good solid performance but it was not enough to get the result.

The visitors put the first score on the board with a penalty but this was cancelled out by some good work by the Loughor forwards who drove into the corner for emergency centre Jason Howells to crash over, converted by Peter Smigirlia. Glyn-Neath then showed why they are sitting so high with another penalty and riding out a storm whilst their no 8 was yellow carded, controlling the game whilst down to 14 men.



In return in what was becoming a lottery at the breakdown lock Calum Brennan recieved a yellow for counter rucking and the visitors drove from the resulting lineout to score through hooker Grant Bignell, converted again. Soon after more good pressure the ball was swung wide for fulback Evans to dart over for their second try, converted again. The game seemed won but loughor continued to press and the superb Richard thomas on the wing bounced through several tackles to score an keep the score close. Glyn Neath shut shop and used the ball to keep possession and run out 23 - 15 worthy winners.



The visitors pack laid a good platform for their dangerous backs and edged the forward battle at set piece and breakdown working constantly in the taclkes, rucks and mauls to cause problems, in comparison Loughor's game management was poor at times in using the ball and creating opportunities, and it seemed several players may have had big match nerves with mistakes hampering the home team efforts amd wrong decisions being made constantly throughout.Giving plenty of areas to work on for the coaching team in the coming weeks.



Wings Thomas and Simon Stonham once again deserve special mention for theri barnstorming performances and young flanker Rhys Bowen putting in a man of the match performance up front.



Loughor now have a week of leisure building upto the Wales v Australia match then two hard weeks with the cup on the 10th December and travelling to 2nd in the league Kenfig Hill on the 17th December before the Christmas holidays.



Unfortunately loughor 2nds was cancelled due to Vardre unable to field a side.



All seniors to keep an eye on the website and facebook regarding training venues and time changes due to the weather and attendance is required by all if we are gonna keep momentum going and build on a strong finish to the first half of the season after a struggling start.







Report from Glyn Neath website

Loughor vs Glynneath







On a difficult trip to in-form Loughor, Glynneath did enough to come away with the spoils, their pack finishing the stronger. Glynneath playing into a strong breeze made the early running and a Jack O'Reilly penalty put the visitors ahead. Loughor who suffered a heavy defeat in the corresponding fixture at the start of the season were a much improved side and they crossed for the first try of the game, Jason Howells getting the touchdown. Peter Smiriglia converting. A Jack O'Reilly penalty put the visitors back to within a point but their game was hampered when they recieved a yellow card after both sides had received a warning by the referee for handling on the floor. Smiriglia firing over the resulting penalty. Even with a numerical disadvantage Glynneath regained the lead when from a catch and drive from a lineout close to the home line, Grant Bignell spun out of tackles to touch down. O'Reilly converting to give his side a boost. More pressure from Glynneath had Loughor on the rack and when the ball was sent wide, the visitors had numbers to put full back Dai Evans over in the corner. Another great touchline conversion by O'Reilly increased his side's lead. Conditions were deterioting with mistakes creeping into the game but Loughor kept the game on the boil when Richard Thomas crossed for the home side's second try of the game. The powerful Glynneath scrum had the home eight in all sorts of trouble at the set piece and Glynneath increased their lead with a third Jack O'Reilly penalty. As the game drew to a close Glynneath's defence had to work hard to keep out their hosts to earn an important victory.