Cwmtawe Sevens 0 v 0 Whites
05 Aug 2006 - Parc Ynysderw, Pontardawe
Swansea crashed out of the group stages at the Cwmtawe Sevens without a win to their name. Despite reaching the final in 2005, the Whites struggled to make an impact in a competition dominated by specialist Sevens teams.
Swansea 12 Viator Barbarians 19
Despite a promising start against Spanish side Viator Barbarians, a lack of sevens experience proved too costly as they let slip an early 12-0 lead. Captained by Nicky Jones, the Whites enjoyed a bright opening few minutes with new signing Richard Payne fed by Ioan Mainwaring for a try in the corner. A superb tackle by David Blyth forced the Barbarians into panic mode with Nicky Thomas taking full advantage to float out a long scoring pass to Leigh Bevan. Thomas converted. The Spanish side began to assert their authority in the second period though and narrowed the gap to just five points with an interception try. Ill-discipline by the All Whites gifted their opponents a needless penalty from which they found a way past the Swansea defence to tie up the scores. A costly mistake by the Whites near their own line allowed Viator in for a match clinching try.
Swansea 19 Kooga Wailers 19
Needing a comfortable victory over the Kooga Wailers to progress into the Quarter-Finals of the Cup competition, the Whites began in an inspired fashion as Nicky Thomas create a well worked overlap out wide to score in the corner. He impressively added the conversion. Thomas came close to adding a second but his chip ahead was too strong for Bevan. The Koogas made Swansea pay for not taking their chances with a try of their own in the corner that was converted. Ioan Mainwaring nudged the Whites back in front with a well taken try after a break by Thomas. When Ricky Williams set up a score for Bevan, everything looked rosy for the Whites but all the hard work was soon undone as they let in the Wailers for a second try which narrowed the gap to 19-12. With the Whites needing a converted try to qualify for the cup, the Wailers smothered any attempts to break out and kept the Whites firmly pinned inside their own half. A frustrated Whites side were unable to keep the ball and conceded a late converted try, much to the delight of the Viator Barbarians who qualified for the Plate competition as a result.
By Paul Hopkins
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