Issue 150

Seconds crush Institute

04th December 2006

Swansea University 2nd XV comprehensively beat Swansea Institute 38-0 last Wednesday in an entertaining game at Fairwood. As in any local derby commitment and passion was rife from start to finish all across the field in a match not for the faint hearted.

The game started fifteen minutes late due to a problem with the referee, but when kick off did come neither side showed any effects from the delay with aggressive defence being the order of the day. As a result of the intense tackling the initial exchanges were riddled with a string of errors with both teams being guilty of poor ball retention. On the ten-minute mark Swansea University winger Adam Fotherington looked to ease the home sides nerves and stepped up to attempt an ambitious fifty-metre penalty. A great strike from Fotherington narrowly missed the left post but the Swansea side took encouragement from the effort and stepped up a gear immediately taking the game to the Institute with a greater conviction.

With forwards and backs beginning to combine well it was only a matter of time before the University got on the score sheet. After seventeen minutes, controlled pressure from the forwards gave the backs the perfect platform to execute a swift move that released Fotherington on the right wing to score in the corner.

Fotherington then showed his kicking ability by converting his own try from a tight angle on the right touchline. The next ten minutes really tested both sides fitness due to the combination of a heavy pitch beginning to deteriorate and long passages of play. The second score came from full back Rhys Thomas who capitalised on an overlap which was once again created by some tireless work from the forwards who were well marshalled throughout the game by scrum half James Mitchell.

With the half time whistle drawing close there was just enough time for the home side to extend their lead with a third try this time coming from Danny Lewis. Lewis showed his pace, which troubled the Institute side throughout the game, when rounding his opposite man and sprinting in from forty metres. The successful conversion from Fotherington left the half time score 19-0.

The second half started very much like the first half with forward play dominating the match. Although the Institute came out revitalised and had some promising passages of play they never looked to seriously challenge the home side's line. Swansea soon wiped out any thoughts of an Institute comeback when Rhys Thomas neatly finished to score his second try of the day.

A period of play followed which was a harsh lesson for the Institute on one-on-one tackling with noticeable shuddering hits coming from inside centre Ben Rees and flanker David Cooke. The penultimate try came once again from the pace of Lewis on the left wing half way through the second half.

After the conversion was slotted a number of substitutions were made to freshen up the University side including captain Chris Rook who had a fine game at the heart of the pack. The substitutions brought a new energy to the team and the Institute had no response. In the final moments of the game substitute Rob Evans made an incisive break from inside centre and timed his pass perfectly to man of the match Dan Apsee who provided the finish. The conversion left the final score looking convincing at 38-0 to the University 2nds.

After the game captain Chris Rook said, "It was very satisfying getting one over on the local rivals…I was extremely pleased with the pack and the way they provided good ball for the backs who didn't waste it and scored some excellent trys."

Keenly watching on the sidelines was 1st team coach John Bladen who was pleased with 2nd XV's performance and commented, "The boys really stood up to the mark today and no doubt 1st XV opportunities will be close for a number of players." Overall an encouraging display by the team as a whole who will look to take this form into the last few fixtures before Christmas against undoubtedly tougher opposition.

Rich Watkins