UWIC 34 v MERTHYR 36

In a game that the students should have won, Merthyr had their forwards to thank for victory. UWIC opened their scoring when full back, Martyn Thomas, latched on to a kick from outside half, Nicky Roberts, to score wide out. Then right wing, George Dixon, followed a break from scrum half, Lee Williams, to score a try converted by centre, Matt Mclean. The students finished the stronger in the first half when a Martyn Thomas break was taken on by lock, Peter Wilmhurst-Smith to free left wing, Johnny Wehbe who used his exceptional pace to score in the corner. Matt Mclean added a penalty to take the half time score to 20-14.

In the second half another fine break from Thomas gave centre, Pat Foreman, the space to burst powerfully for a try converted by Mclean from wide out but the visitors clawed their way back with two converted tries before quick thinking, Lee Williams, made a sharp break to send in lock, Alex Jones. Merthyr, however came back with a try and penalty to win the game.

So where did it go wrong? Whilst the students created good opportunities they still put themselves under pressure with some poor decision making at crucial times. Their cause was not helped by the official who did not referee the ruck and maul area frustrating the speed with which UWIC could release the ball.

Match Report by Neville Gaunt