Coleg Gwent came from behind to snatch victory over arch rivals Coleg Sir Gar in dramatic fashion in the Colleges League Play-off final held at Bridgend RFC yesterday.
Played in atrocious weather conditions throughout, Coleg Sir Gâr had edged in front 16-14 and appeared to be heading towards victory but Coleg Gwent fly half Niall Martin showed nerves of steel to bang over a snap drop goal to secure victory deep into injury time.
After a tight first 15 minutes, Sir Gar were the first to score with a penalty kick, however the scores were level within minutes as Ethan Davies stepped up to slot a penalty for Coleg Gwent.
Coleg Sir Gâr nosed back in front thanks to a try by their winger in the 20th minute which he also converted to make the score 10-3. Again Coleg Gwent hit back with a long range penalty kick from Ethan Davies which was followed by another in the 33rd minute.
A clean break from winger Jordan Richards got Coleg Gwent over the gain line but he was hauled down 5 metres short. The good field position was not wasted as scrum half Luke Crane dived over to make the scores 14-10 at half time.
Two second half penalties were easily taken advantage of by Sir Gar as they forged into a 16-14 lead before the drama unfolded. A stolen lineout ball by Scott Andrews allowed Crane to free Ethan Davies through a gap in the Sir Gar defence. Goleg Gwent’s hard work at the contact area paid off as Niall Martin sat in the pocket to slot over the winning drop goal in the last play of the game to win the cup.
Man of the match went to flanker Scott Matthews for his hard work at the breakdown and huge hits in defence.
