Pontardawe 20 – Betws 32

Betws showed great character and had to dig deep to keep their promotion push on track in this mid-week fixture. The homesters included a couple of dual registered players and the visitors were put under intense pressure with Bonymaen scrum half Kyle Roberts a constant threat. Pontardawe started strongly but it was the visitors who managed to open the scoring when their powerful scrum enabled No 8 Dan Howells to power over from short range.

However from the kick-off the home team hit back when a kind bounce allowed centre Scott Davies to gather and burst through to level the score. Ponty continued to apply early pressure but a timely interception by centre Gavin Davies saw him sprint 80 metres to regain the lead, with outside half Phil Saunders adding the conversion.

A yellow card to wing mark Thomas and the resultant penalty by home outside half Neil James reduced the deficit after 25 minutes play and Betws were again forced into defence for the remainder of the half. Their good defensive work was rewarded when the visitors gained turn over ball allowing full back Mathew Rees to break clear and score a further long range try given them a 17-8 half time lead.

Pontardawe hit back early in the second half when powerful driving by their forwards enabled dual No 8 Craig Jones to crash over and score. The conversion narrowed the lead to just 17-15. A penalty by Betws centre Gavin Davies relieved the pressure and the visiting forwards at last started to apply some pressure, mainly through their outstanding No 8 Dan Howells.

New recruit Mark Rewstrom, a second row and former captain of Ystalyfera, came on to bolster the visitors defence, with Pontardawe losing their wing forward to the sin-bin for constant killing of the ball. The visitors took full advantage of their extra man and prop Ian Morris was driven over following a 5 metre lineout resulting from the yellow card. Unfortunately, Betws again failed to deal with the kick off and home full back Kevin Williams was allowed to race through to make the score 25-20 to the visitors with 10 minutes remaining.

However, Betws composed themselves to finish strongly with captain and hooker Paul Roberts again leading his forwards by example to batter the home line before prop Rob Grey eventually crossed to seal the win with only 2 minutes left on the clock. Betws now have four games remaining, three at home, and are aware that realistically they have to win all four with a bonus point to have any chance of gaining promotion from Division 5 South West.