Having beaten Division 2 West Felinfoel in Rd 2, Dunvant travelled to the Villa Field to face a similar task against local rivals Loughor in Round 3, including Blues veteran scrum half Steve Wake, a Dunvant hero from our top flight era.
From Loughor’s kick off, Dunvant had a great opportunity to score a try in the right hand corner with men over, but referee Craig Evans blew up for crossing. Loughor then had 3 successive penalties with the final one resulting in a successful kick for full back Thomas Davies for 3-0. with only 5 minutes played. Loughor then enjoyed a period of possession and territory, with Dunvant having to maintain a strong defence, but Loughor broke through on the ¼ hour, moving the ball first left, then right for winger Richard Thomas to dive over near the right hand corner for 8-0. Davies was unable to convert. Dunvant conceded more penalties and with only 22 minutes played Davies kicked another penalty for Loughor to lead 11-0.Eventually, with only 5 minutes to half time, Dunvant were awarded a penalty on the Blues’ 22. A quick tap penalty from Dunvant scrum half Sam Gallagher saw outside centre Danny Davies make a great break down the pitch, Loughor infringed, and No 10 Adam Williams, now playing on the wing in place of injured Greg Davies, had a simple kick in front of goal for Dunvant’s first points. Shortly after, the referee blew up with the half time score at 11-3.
Within a minute of Dunvant’s restart, Adam Williams was successful with another penalty for 11-6. Loughor responded quickly in attack, and another infringement gave them another penalty opportunity which Davies kicked for 14-6. Dunvant were now playing much better and on 51 minutes, right wing Nick Charlier dived over in the right hand corner for 14-11 as Adam Williams was unable to convert. As play restarted, and Dunvant again attacked, Loughor lock forward Jonathan Bowen was yellow carded and Adam Williams kicked the resultant penalty for Dunvant to draw level at 14-14. Still with 14 men, Loughor were awarded a penalty on halfway straight in front of goal for a chance to re-take the lead, but Davies was well wide. With 62 minutes played and still 14 men, Loughor made
a great break out of their 22 for Dunvant defence to scramble back to save a try resulting in a yellow card for replacement James Richards, playing at outside half. Dunvant were able to survive the Loughor pressure and themselves had a great chance to score a second try with inside centre Rhys Davies grounding the ball, unaware that partner Danny Davies had knocked on. From the 5 metre scrum, Dunvant won a further penalty, kicked by Adam Williams, to take a 14-17 lead with 10 minutes still to play. With J.R. still with 2 minutes left in the bin, disaster then loomed as Dunvant tight head prop Ryan Shoemark was also sin binned leaving us with 13 men and uncontested scrums. As J.R. returned, Dunvant still had 8 minutes to battle on, they held their nerve and were delighted to hear the referee call time.
A magnificent 14-17 victory over another Division 2 side which takes Dunvant into the last 16 Round 4 draw which will be made in the next couple of days. Given the way the draw is regionalised, my guess is it will be Division 2 opposition again, possibly Skewen or Glynneath, to be played on 18th February.. Well done boys. Next up is an away game at Cardigan in a league fixture on Saturday 11th February.

Scorers:
LOUGHOR 14:
Try: 11 Richard Thomas
Pemalties: 15 Thomas Davies (3)
Dunvant 17:
Try 14 Nick Charlier
Penalties: 10 Adam Williams (4)

Dunvant Team:
Backs: 15 Mitchell Ford, 14 Nick Charlier, 13 Danny Davies, 12 Rhys Davies, 11 Greg Davies, 10 Adam Williams, 9 Sam Gallagher
Forwards: 1 Darren Goddard, 2 Mark Loughlin, 3 Ryan Shoemark (Capt.), 4 Lloyd King, 5 Jaen Botes, 6 Jon Arnold, 7 Adam Gregory, 8 Oscar Savage
Replacements: 16 Tom Falvey, 17 Gareth Williams, 18 James Richards, 19 Carwyn Williams

Match Official: Craig Evans

Results for Saturday 28th Jan.
Swalec Plate Rd 3:
Crymych 23 Haverfordwest 3
Fairwater 5 Ystrad Rhondda 16
Kidwelly 53 Aberystwyth 24
Loughor 14 Dunvant 17
Maesteg Quins 13 Maesteg 11
Mold 3 Bethesda 36
Nant Conwy 28Caernarfon 5
Nelson 37 St Peters 22
Penallta 32 Ynysybwl 9
Pill Harriers 5 Abertillery B G 30
Pontypool United 23 Garndiffaith 13
Senghenydd 17 Llanishen 9
Skewen 24 Vardre 15
Tumble 22 Cwmllynfell 26
Tylorstown 8 Builth Wells 28
Ystalyfera 13 Glynneath 41

Division 3 West
Cardigan 15 Newcastle Emlyn 3
Lampeter 14 Pontarddulais 17
Penclawdd 11 Tenby United 32

Carmarthen Tyres Cup
Ammanford P Mumbles P
Bonymaen v Narberth
Carmarthen Druids P Llandovery P
Dunvant 3 Morriston 3(Morriston go through as away team)

Carmarthen Tyres League
Waunarlwydd 21 Llangennech 6

WRU RAF Ospreys OE Youth League
No games