Division Four South West
Cwmavon 27 Betws 0
Betws started an exciting new era in Division Four South West with new coach Chris Morgan looking to shape a talented group of youngsters into a new-look team.
Cwmavon started strongly to give the visitors, many of whom are encountering senior rugby for the first time, a difficult introduction as they struggled to contain the bigger home pack.
Betws found themselves ten points down in as many minutes with Cwmavon claiming a penalty and a converted try.
The hosts continued to test the inexperienced youngsters but Betws showed great commitment in defence. However, in the final five minutes of the half the superior power of the hosts led to further tries. A conversion gave them a healthy 22-0 half-time lead.
A stern team talk saw the visitors start the second-half with more confidence, with their strong running forcing the homesters into desperate defence.
Betws created a number of opportunities but despite conceding numerous penalties and a yellow card during this period of pressure Cwmavon managed to defend their try-line.
Mid-way through the half the homesters effectively sealed the game with a breakaway try on their first visit into the Betws half.
Betws captain and hooker Gareth Comley led by example as they continued to battle for the remainder of the game but that elusive firs try evaded them against their more experienced hosts.
Despite the loss, nanager Doug David was pleased with this young teams efforts and the potential shown, and acknowledge this will be a hard learning curve for many during their first season together in senior rugby.
On Saturday Betws host Vardre.
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