GLYNNEATH LOOKING TO END BOGEY AFTER THEY HIT SUMMIT
GLYNNEATH have the lead to defend in One West Central after their bonus-point win at Aberavon Quins lifted them to the top of the table.
Their 34-11 victory extended their unbeaten run to eight games, which enabled them to leapfrog Ystalyfera ahead of next weekend’s derby clash with Skewen, who came down from the WRU National Championship with them last season.
Their recent record against Skewen makes for bad reading, with their last victory coming back in May 2013.
“For some reason Skewen have become a bit of a bogey team for us and they have a bit of a spell over us,” admitted Glynneath coach Grant Bignell.
“They had Regan King and Aaron Bramwell playing for them last weekend from Neath so we know they are going side.”
Skewen travel to Glynneath on the back of an impressive 31-7 win over Waunarlwydd, their third win on the bounce.
Kevin James showed great form at the right time as he bagged himself a hat-trick.
James Price and Lee Dunsford followed him over the line, with Anthony Buselli wrapping things up from the tee.
But Bignell is confident that players will rise to the challenge.
“We are at home and will be confident after winning eight in a row,” he said. to come to us with a strong his
“We managed to keep all bar two of our players after coming down from the Championship last season and a couple of other players returned to the club.
“The fact we don’t pay our players in any division means they are all playing for the right reasons.”
Centres Owen Nesbitt and Alex Burton both got on the scoresheet for Glynneath, as did hooker Craig Tennant and No. 8 Stuart Leach.
There was also a penalty try to enable them to move three points clear at the top.
As well as meeting Skewen this weekend, Glynneath also have to meet fourth-placed Kenfig Hill before heading to Ystalyfera on December 29.
“Kenfig Hill gave us a really tough time on the opening day of the season before we won 41-37 at their place,” added Bignell.
“We found ourselves trailing by 27 points before we hit back to win.
“There is a lot of tough rugby to be played before we go to Ystalyfera at the end of the month, so we can’t afford to take our eye off the ball if we want to stay at the top.”
Elsewhere in the division, Bonymaen kept themselves in the hunt with a 26-11 win over Ammanford, which leaves them just four points off the top.
In Two West Central, Birchgrove took advantage of Resolven’s postponed fixture with Pencoed to take over at the top.
Birchgrove came away from bottom side Cwmavon with a 27-7 victory to their name, which extended their unbeaten run to nine games.
Adam Percival, James Evans and Nathaniel Llewellyn all added to a penalty try to earn Birchgrove maximum points, while Lee Harris kicked the rest.
Cameron Bamford ensured Cwmavon put points on the board as he converted his own try.