1913/14 Swansea Old Grammarians

CARMARTHEN JOURNAL 17th OCTOBER 1913

RUGBY FOOTBALL

CARMARTHEN QUINS v SWANSEA OLD GRAMMARIANS.

The Carmarthen Harlequins played their thud home match on Saturday, the visitors being Swansea Old Grammarians. It might here be stated that Aberavon emerging victors by only a try on the previous Saturday, take it for granted to augur well for their future, this shows the reputation which the Quins have gained for themselves in South Wales. However Swansea again were successful in winning by the same margin on Saturday, but for the latter it cannot be said deservingly, as throughout the game they were outclassed, and hard luck only averted the Quins piling on a good score. The Quins fielded a strong team, but not to compare in weight with the visitors. Ley, the ex international boy footballer, played his maiden game with the Quins as centre three-quarter, and Del Evans, this year’s vice-captain, resumed his place in the forwards. In spite of the heavy rain of Saturday morning, fine weather prevailed throughout the and the ground was in good condition.

The referee was Mr. H. Morgan, Llanelly.

Swansea kicked off and H. Thomas failing to field, the ‘ball ran into touch a few yards from the line From the first scrum the visitors heeded and their threes made a fine dash. The homesters wheeled the next scrum, but me visitors pressing forced them to concede a minor. J. J. Lewis received from Gwyn Lewis in mid-field and found touch with a well directed punt. With the Quins in the visitors’ territory an open game was originated by J. J. Lewis, who transferred to D. Morgan, and the latter to H. Thomas, who was brought over, with little ground gained. The Swansea forwards tried a few passes, but a forward pass caused a scrum to formed in midfield. The Quins heeled, but D. Morgan failed to field and a rush brought Swansea to the home 25. After a series of scrums Del Evans broke away and put the Quins on the aggressive. Dick Watson fielded and running a good length, gave to J. J. Lewis and the latter to H. Thomas, who was pushed into touch a few yards from the line. The home quartette were again engaged in passes, and Cyril Rees, the last to receive, kicking too hard forced a, minor. From an ensuing scrum the visitors again tried passing, but were foiled by Gwyn Lewis and Ley in succession. Swansea were allowed a free kick, and their full-back made a fine shot, the ball striking the cross-bar. Gwyn Lewis smartly picked up and sent a high kick, which the Swansea wing fielded, but Gwyn spoilt his movement, tackling him in possession. In an ensuing scrum the visitors were penalised for “legs up,” but J. J. Lewis’ shot for goal proved abortive. In a rush the Grammarians swept everything before them and score was imminent but for the timely intervention of H. Thomas. Once more Swansea were placed on the defensive, the Quins heeled, but Gwyn Lewis was tackled in possession. Excitement ran high when Gwyn again received and placed the threes in motion, passing to H. Thomas, the latter to J. J. Lewis, but Cyril Rees failed to take the pass in a favourable position. A few scrums were waged with the Quins only a few feet from the line, but time after time they were repulsed. Gwyn fielded and threw wildly to Ley, who failed to pick up, but the homo custodian came up in fine style amidst, cheers from the spectators. From a line-out on the Swansea 29, J. Richards initiated another bout of passing, the ball being handled by all the threes, but as Cyril Rees made another fine dash he was brought The Quins were now playing a game full of dash and vigour, but not by any means rough. With scrum on the 25, G. Lewis transferred to H. Thomas, who after eluding several opponents in his favourite zig-zag run all but crossed. At this stage one of the visitors forwards was injured, receiving a nasty kick on the nose which had to be stitched. The interval arrived with both teams nil.

On the resumption the visitors’ played a man short. After some kicking, which ended in the contest being waged in the Quins 25. Cyril Rees picked up well in the loose, but was forced into touch. Charlie Davies headed a rush, and the battle fell in the visitors’ ground, where Gwyn Lewis became dangerous, being brought over in the nick of time on several occasions. The homesters were now a little embarrassed by the sun, but soon found themselves in the Grammarian 25, where H. Thomas gave the leather to Cyril Rees, who once more was laid low just in time. With scrum near the Swansea line, the Quins were persistently dashing, but not to cross, eventually the visitor’s custodian relieved with a. splendid kick. Fielding in mid-field H. Thomas made a fine dash, gaining considerable ground, when another visitor was knocked out and had to be taken off the field, but after a short respite he returned. From a scrum D. Morgan broke away and placed the throes in motion, but a knock on frustrated their opportunity, and scrum was formed in rather dangerous proximity to the Swansea line. . Morgan transferred to Cyril Rees, who again missed the ball. The Swansea full-back marked and the ball fell on the neutral line, but not for long, as the Quins soon placed the Grammarians on the defence, Gwyn Lewis kicked high, but the visitors’ full-back fumbled and a scrum was formed, from which D. Morgan passed to Gwyn Lewis and the quartette were soon in their stride, but Swansea rushed and their custodian found touch with a well- directed kick. From the line-out, Cyril Rees broke away near the line, but his pass was intercepted by Dwerryhouse (wing), who having a clear field before him, went over. The shot for goal went wide. On the restart the final whistle blew.

Final score:  Swansea Old Grammarians, 1 try 3 points,; Carmarthen Quins, nil.

Notes.

Throughout the game the homesters gave the ball plenty of fresh air and some brilliant passing witnessed in the most approved Harlequin style, but the want of finish and accuracy at critical moments brought an undeserved result. Most of the time the Quins were pressing, and it was only hard luck that prevented them from crossing more than once.

The home custodian repeatedly was applauded from the onlookers and fully deserved it.

Ley was rather cool, but his opportunities happened to be few on Saturday.

It is sufficient to say that H. Thomas and J. J. Lewis played their usual game.

Cyril Rees missing the passes in such favourable positions though some of them might have been ill directed evidently had a great deal to do with the result, and a kick would have been more profitable than a pass in his own 25. Yet he picked up well and showed plenty of dash and vigour.

The half-backs enhanced their reputations, and Gwyn’s smartness was often termed “marvellous” by the spectators.

The forwards one and all played a hard game and they did not manage to heel the ball they generally succeeded in wheeling their opponents.

Next Saturday another home match will be played, when the visitors will be Swansea Baycliffe, a team with a splendid record.