Dunvant 34 - Whitchurch 31
Under the gleaming lights of Broadacre, Dunvant RFC’s Under 13s pulled off a stunning victory on a crisp, autumnal evening. Clinching a 34-31 win over their formidable rivals, Whitchurch, in what was a riveting friendly fixture. This electrifying clash was a classic East vs West Wales
derby. The boys from Dunvant were seeking to settle scores following a narrow loss at Cardiff Arms Park last season.
The first half saw the home team establish a solid lead of 18-5, exploiting territory and converting the opposition’s indiscipline at the ruck into critical points. Yet, the speed and finesse of the Whitchurch stars, especially their lightning-quick fullback who darted through for four tries, turned the second half into an edge-of-the-seat spectacle.
Sam Phillips, the Dunvant hero of the night, emerged as the man of the match, orchestrating a spectacular display of skill and nerve. Notching up 19 points with his unerring boot and supplementing with a try, Phillips epitomised the team’s unbreakable spirit. His poise in slotting a penalty in the dying moments, with scores locked at 31-31, propelled Dunvant to a triumphant victory, sending waves of joy across the Broadacre.
Whitchurch, winners of the Cardiff Blues Cup, demonstrated why they are considered one of the fierce competitors in the juvenile rugby circuit. Their fast runners kept the Dunvant defence on its toes, yet it was the home team’s unwavering defence and the ability to pounce on opportunities that eventually secured their victory.
The coaches noted, “We knew we were in for a tough game. They are a very impressive team who are well-coached. We worked hard on defence in training and it paid off. The thunderous 40m try from Ben, described as potentially the try of the season, was a testament to Dunvant’s fighting spirit, sinking Whitchurch hearts and paving the way for a well-deserved victory.”
With barely enough time to bask in this glorious win, Dunvant U13s must now shift their focus towards the forthcoming cup challenge against South Gower, to be held away from their fortress at Broadacre. The coaches remain grounded, stating, “We aren’t going to rest on our laurels though as we have a tough cup game to prepare for next week.”
As the dust settles on a truly remarkable friendly, Dunvant and Whitchurch have undoubtedly laid the foundation for a vibrant rugby rivalry that spectators across Wales will eagerly anticipate in the seasons to come.
Got to say, Sam was outstanding! Displaying nerves of steel that Morne Steyn himself would be proud of.
Ben (as always) Van, and Archie also had good strong performances from up front!
Luckily, for once, the ref gave us the 50/50’s!