The Clubhouse
Code of Conduct Referee abuse - The WRU Code of Conduct which the Club fully endorses, sets the standard for behaviour towards match officials. The following is not acceptable:
Abuse of Match Officials - Verbal or physical assault; intimidation; racial or sexual harrassment
The WRU will act against Clubs and individuals alleged to have:
abused, threatened or intimidated a referee, touch judge or other official, on or off the field of play: or
used crude or abusive language or gestures towards, match officials or spectators
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Match Reports 2007/08 (by Simon Johnson)
Skewen 36 - Seven Sisters 0 - 26th April 2008
Skewen welcomed Seven Sisters for their last game of the season, in
good conditions, with the sun beating down and very little wind. This enabled Skewen to play the fast running rugby they love. Coaches Richard and Jamie Ball must be delighted that their hard work and committment to the team has paid such dividends.
There was nothing between the sides at the start until fancy footwork
from wing Simon Jeremy who had an outstanding game, set Tim James up for the games first score. Richard Davies converted. Skewen slowly started to acheive the upper hand, only solid defending from Seven kept them out.
Half Time: 7 - 0.
Skewen were keen to show their intentions for the second half by quickly taking a penalty awarded to them on their own line, passing swiftly
through the backs and presenting Tim James who was in close support with try number 2. A strong attacking surge from Seven was met with strong defending from Skewen and when the ball came free in their 22, James Ball was there to dance his way the length of the field and give the ball out to Richard Davies who touched down.
Skewen were able to step up another gear, Simon Jeremy adding another try, Tony Buselli converting. Another product of Skewens Youth system was next to score, Gareth Morris who'd tackled mercilessly all afternoon crossed the line, Buselli converted. Seven put the Skewen line under sustained pressure only to loose a lineout which saw Richard Davies sprint away with the ball passing briefly to Simon Jeremy who returned the ball for Davies to cross.
Full Time 36 - 0.
Maesteg Quins 27 V Skewen 32 - 19th April
Despite hurricane type winds, an exciting game of rugby soon developed on the bleak hills of Maesteg. Skewens Jordan Davies had help from the Skewen pack for his first try, their dummy running sent the Maesteg defenders the wrong way and allowed Jordan to stroll through the massive gap. Maesteg caught up with prop Daniel Tabor taking the ball in the loose, and sprinting over from the 22.
Skewen responded with their deadly catch and drive close to the Maesteg line. Tim James claiming the first of his tries. A wind assisted drop goal from the Skewen 10 metre line was credited to Maestegs Jonny Owen. Maesteg briefly took the lead for the only time in the game, Robbie Morris crossing the line and adding the conversion. Skewen forwards soon regained control, a catch and drive was again claimed by Tim James. Jordan Davies was the second player to score two tries after winning a sprint to the line following his kick through.
HT: 15 - 20.
David Absalom was rewarded for his workmanlike performance with a try and Maestegs Robbie Morris joined the 2 try club. Gareth Williams touched down for Skewens sixth try, Robbie Morris claimed a well earned hat trick, unfortunately injuring himself in the process.
Tonna 21 V Skewen 36 - 12th April
In a typical local derby, both teams and the official found it a challenge to develop a high standard of rugby. Skewen took the lead through an early Richard Davies penalty. Tonna's Neil Aberfield evened the score 20 minutes later. Tonna then received the games first yellow card but still managed to scrape ahead with a penalty.
Simon Jeremy took his first try of the game with a fine run from the half way. Richard Davies converted. Tonna narrowed the gap with a penalty and Skewen were the recipients of the games second yellow card.
Half Time 9 - 10.
It was while Tonna were a man down after receiving their second yellow that Simon Jeremy, again showing his strength and pace, crossed for his second try. Richard Davies converted. An error in Skewens defence gifted Tonna a try to Ryan Freeman. Unfortunately for Ryan he was shown his second yellow minutes later and he disappeared from the pitch.
Skewen took full advantage of their extra man, Simon Jeremy completed his hat trick and fellow winger James Ball also crossed the line. Richard Davies converted. Tonna again narrowed the gap through Lee Mellow, Aberfield converted. Skewen took the game beyond Tonnas reach with a Richard Davies try that he converted.
Full Time 21 - 36.
Skewen 32 V Kenfig Hill 22 - 5th April
Skewen subjected visitors Kenfig Hill to immense pressure straight from the start and soon took the lead with a Richard Davies penalty. However, sloppy defending allowed Kenfig prop Louis David to pick up loose ball from a lineout on the 22 and storm over for a try. The restart was messed up by Skewen and the Kenfig backs made sure they punished the home team by whipping the ball out to winger Chris Jenkins who crossed the line minutes after their first try.
Skewen rethought their tactics and kept the ball with their forwards. Kenfig unable to defend against a powerful rolling maul, leaked a try to prop Paul Davies. Skewens forward dominance continued before allowing the magical hands of Richard Davies to set centre Gareth Williams up to cross the line. Kenfig showed good form to respond with a try from Alan Brace, Lloyd Jones converted.
Half Time: 13 - 17
The second half sparked into life through Skewen forwards using their rolling maul to put flanker Tim James over. Richard Davies converted. Kenfig Hills back line, who'd been a menace all afternoon showed good skill to present full back Gareth Cull with a try. Skewens rolling maul again paid dividends and David Absalom added his name to the score sheet. Richard Davies converted. Nifty winger James Ball crossed the line for Skewens final points.
A number of Skewen youth players made up the team today and performed with great credit. To be able to "step up" straight to first team senior rugby is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of Skewens Youth team coaches.
Vardre 0 - Skewen 16 - 29th March
Skewen achieved an away win in difficult conditions, but a battling Vardre side prevented them from hitting top gear and racking up more points. Both sides showed glimpses of their true potential but Skewen were the only side to put points on the score board.
Skewens first half points came from a Richard Davies' penalty and try. Richard Davies had started the move on the Skewen 10 metre line, throwing a wide ball out to John Davies who took the ball to within feet of the Vardre line before returning the ball to Richard Davies to score.
Half time 0 - 8.
Skewen started the second half with a bit more more focus and prop Ian Owen quickly added his name to the score card. Vardre again dug deep to keep the score down and Skewens only other points came from a Richard Davies penalty.
Full time 0 - 16.
Skewen 18 v BP 22 - 22nd March
In one of Skewens best performances of the season, they were unlucky to register a win over runaway leaders BP. Both sides displayed a high
level of skill to treat the crowd to an exciting game.
Skewens dominance up front looked key to a home win, unfortunately for
Skewen, BP's pacey backline punished any errors. The deciding point in the game was an interception try taken deep in BP territory which was
converted.
Half time 6 -15
Full time 18 - 22.
Skewen scorers:
Gareth Evans: 2* penalties, 1* conversion
Paul Davies: 1* try
Tim James: 1* try.
Nantyffyllon 26 - Skewen 11 - 1st March 2008
In this top of the table clash, the game started with both teams equally matched. Unfortunately for Skewen, Nantyffyllon found an extra gear which Skewen failed to match. Centre Andrew Davies opened the scoring for Nanty. Skewen were put under pressure on their line from a Nantyffyllon scrum, Geraint Williams touched down and Nathan Healey converted.
Half time 12 - 0.
Skewen's troubles continued when straight from the restart, the Nantyffyllon outside half took the ball from his own 22, eventually being tackled short of the Skewen try line. He was able to get the ball away to full back Geraint Mason who crossed in the corner. Healey converted.
Skewen swiftly replied with a drop goal and penalty from Richard Davies. Skewen's momentum was abruptly halted with an injury to Scott Jeremy. After the delay, Nantyffyllon took full advantage of Skewens troubles with a try by Nigel Jones which Healey converted.
Skewen managed a consolation try by back rower Tim James.
Skewen 57 V Banwen 14 - 16th February 2008
An unseasonally warm day at Tennant Park greeted visitors Banwen. With the pitch firm under foot, it seemed that conditions would suit the home side better.
Winger James Ball crossed the line to give Skewen an early lead. His try converted by Richard Davies. Skewen maintained the pressure, scrum half Jordan Davies speeding from his 10 yard line only to be held up just short of the Banwen line, fortunately James Ball was in support taking the popped ball and crossing for his second. Richard Davies again converted.
The forwards not wishing to be left out, mauled their way through the Banwen pack, Chris O'Connor touching down. Davies again converted. Skewen continued to hammer the Banwen defence, wing Simon Jeremy narrowly missing out after being forced into touch short of the line.
Then came Banwen's best spell of the first half, Skewens defence held and Richard Davies was able to clear deep into Banwen territory. More Skewen pressure was rewarded with a penalty which Davies added to his points tally. Simon Jeremy again missed out on scoring, this time being illegally stopped with a high tackle. Davies again took the points from the penalty. Another penalty then followed converted by Davies. Chris O'Connor claimed the last points of the first half with his second try.
Half time 35 - 0.
Banwen's half time talk stirred the team back into life, Darren Davies touching down and Dean Hughes adding the conversion. Skewen determined to stop any hope of a Banwen revival quickly added unconverted tries from Steve Winchcombe and Chris O'Connor, who claimed his hat trick. Richard Davies showing he can score tries as well as convert them crossed the line for a try which he converted himself.
Banwen to their credit dug deep, their forwards holding onto the ball to cross the line with a rolling maul. Graham Slack claiming the try which Dean Hughes converted. Richard Davies made sure he had the last say in this game. A well worked back attack saw him crossing the line out wide.
Full time 57 - 14.
Tondu 8 - Skewen 5 (8th February 2008)
Skewen 8 v Briton Ferry 0 – 19th January 2008
Skewen’s excellent form continues. The game started with driving rain and this persisted throughout. Briton Ferry began the more positively pressurising the Skewen line with only rugged defending from Skewen keeping the visitors out. With Skewen on the attack, Briton Ferry desperately killed the ball allowing outside half Richard Davies to kick the resulting penalty.
The first half was an ill-tempered affair, typical of a local derby, with the heavy conditions not helping things and credit must be given to the Skewen groundsman for the game being able to be played. The referee was not slow to show yellow cards with two shown to Skewen and one to Briton Ferry during the first half.
Half Time 3 – 0.
Winger James Ball scored the only try of the game early in the second half with a superb solo effort. Starting just inside the Briton Ferry half he athletically hurdled his way over the line. Richard Davies missed the conversion. 8 -0.
Briton Ferry’s tried hard throughout but were never able to break Skewen’s resolute defence. The second half continued in line with the first half with a further 2 Skewen players being shown yellow which at one point meant they were down to 13 men. Only a mammoth effort by the remaining players allowed Skewen a well deserved win. 4 yellow cards to 1 was not a fair reflection of events and Skewen can feel hard done by given that Briton Ferry were on the back foot most of the game. On two occasions strong driving mauls were pulled down just short of the line by the Ferry with no resulting penalty or yellow card.
Final Score 8 – 0.
Aberavon Quins 10 – Skewen 15 (12th January 2008)
With the poor weather conditions leading up to and during the game it was a credit to the Quins ground staff that the game was able to be played. It was also credit to both teams for providing hard, entertaining rugby despite heavy, slippery conditions.
Quins took the lead with a Mark Shepherd penalty. However, Skewen looked the more dangerous side with their forwards getting the upper hand against a far bigger pack. Skewen exerted strong pressure on the Quins line, Tim James was stopped short of the line, prop Paul Mitchell picked up and proved unstoppable from that distance.
Again, with Skewen pressurising the Quins scrum, Skewen won a ball against the head which the Quins were caught offside from and which Richard Davies slotted over the resulting penalty.
Half time 3 - 8.
Skewen pressure continued and good team interplay resulted in hooker Rhodri Hughes touching down which Richard Davies converted.
Neil Pugsley scored a breakaway try for the Quins which was converted by Shepherd which brought the score to 10-15 to Skewen. Quins then made a few changes and from that point were a different side, stepping up a few gears and putting Skewen under immense pressure. Skewen however, defended their line stoutly and were rewarded with a noteworthy victory on Quins soil.
Full time 10 - 15
Seven Sisters 8 V Skewen 6 - 5th January 2008
An extremely tight game played on a very heavy pitch. Skewen having
the best chances through their forwards first half while Seven Sisters
best chances were by their backs.
Skewen led for most of the second half, both sides failing to finish
scoring opportunities. The referee played 15 minutes extra time and at
the 55th minute, Skewen gave away a penalty in front of the posts that
they'd been defending so well.
Skewen Scorers
Outside Half Richard Davies: two penalty kicks 6points.
Seven Sisters scorers
Wing Jason Taylor: try 5points.
Scrum Half Kevin Lewis: penalty 3 points.
Skewen 25 - Maesteg Quins 0 (29th December)
Skewen welcomed Maesteg Quins to a cold, windy and damp Tennant Park and in an entertaining game, given the conditions, with both sides trying to tun the ball, Skewen came out winners 25-0. After a couple of early penalty misses Skewen opened the scoring with a try by Paul Davies from a rolling maul from a lineout. Skewen's second try came from Tim James after a pick up and drive from a scrum from no.8 Edward Price. Maesteg then applied a lot of pressure but were held out by Skewen's well organised defence. Skewen's third try came from Tim James following a rolling maul, which was converted by Richard Davies. Almost immediately from the kick off Skewen scored a fourth bonus point try from substitute Chris O'Connor. The scoring was completed with a penalty from outside half Richard Davies. A very good team performance in poor conditions.
Kenfig Hill 9 V Skewen 11 (15th December 2007)
In a rearranged fixture, away at Kenfig Hill, Skewen ground out a 11-9 victory in a very competitive game. In an excellent all round team performance by Skewen, Edward Price and David Absalom stood out amongst the forwards and Captain Richard Davies controlled the game well at outside half. Skewen's points came from a try from Scott Jeremy with 2 penalties from Richard Davies. Kenfig responded with 3 penalties. Kenfig could have stolen the game in the dying seconds with a penalty attempt hitting the post.
Three-times Principality Premiership champions Neath visited Skewen on Tuesday for a special 125th Anniversary fixture.