The 10-5 win at The Wern against last season’s champions, Merthyr, came thanks to a James Davies penalty and conversion of former Wales U20 star Phil Jones’ first half try. It was a crucial four points for the Whites, who also have two games in hand on bottom of the table Bridgend.
“It was a massive effort by the boys in what were really tricky weather conditions at Merthyr. The conditions certainly helped to level the game a bit,” said Gustafson.
“We showed a great desire to win throughout the game and I thought it was a well-deserved four points for us. Now we are looking forward to a very tough match against a fresh Aberavon side.”
Swansea got off to the perfect start Davies chipped ahead and collected his deft grubber kick to send Jones over for a first minute try. To make matters worse for the home side Jack Gilding sustained an injury during the move with a long stoppage in play.
The visitors extended their lead when Davies punished home flanker Jack Perkins for straying offside at the breakdown. A further professional foul then saw Perkins yellow carded by referee Craig Evans.
Merthyr tried to break thorugh using their renowned driving line-out, but twice the Swansea pack held them to protect their 10 point lead. They then had to face the wind in the second half and a basic handling error in his 22 by the otherwise reliable Jones gave the Ironmen an attacking scrum.
Merthyr powered forward at the scrum and the Swansea front eight were given a warning by referee Evans. The home side opted for another set piece and were rewarded when Phil Rees stayed strong and handed a scoring pass to fellow back row man Tom Daley.
As Merthyr went in search of the try they needed to level matters, Swansea found themselves with their backs to the wall. They successfully defended 20 phases in one play and somehow found a way to hang on to their lead to take a notable victory.
The only other game to survive Storm Dennis last weekend was in Colwyn Bay, where RGC 1404 and Carmarthen Quins fought out a 15-15 draw.
Kick-off was brought forward by three hours in a bid to avoid the worst of the weather but it didn’t work with the game played in dreadful conditions. Quins’ tries came courtesy of Jonathan Evans and Shaun Evans with Steffan Marshall kicking five points.
Andrew Williams and Dan Owen crossed for the Gogs with former Wales U20 outside-half Billy McBryde contributing five points from the kicking tee.
“It was a fairly unique situation to play in such extreme conditions, and they only happen every few years,” said RGC head coach Josh Leach.
“I think both sides had the better of the game when they played into the wind. Quins kicked well and managed to keep hold of the ball better in that opening 30 minutes, but crucially we took our chances when we got into scoring positions.”
The visitors started strongly with Scarlets scrum-half Evans sniping down the blindside to run in unopposed from 30 metres out. The home side claimed their first try when powerful blindside flanker Williams muscled over from short range after a period of sustained pressure with McBryde converting.
But the home sides kicking game let them down with numerous kicks put out on the full which cost them territory and possession. Despite the conditions Quins looked to spread the ball wide with Morgan Williams having a try disallowed for a forward pass in the lead up.
McBryde extended the RGC lead with a further penalty meaning the hosts turned around with a 10-8 lead. The Gogs started the second-half in the ascendancy with their forwards carrying hard. And they claimed the first points of the half when openside flanker Owen powered his way over the line with McBryde pushing the conversion just wide.
But the visitors refused to throw in the towel and levelled the scores when former Wales under 20s openside Shaun Evans crossed at the far right-hand corner with Marshall converting from the touchline. Quins were now on the front foot and should have taken the lead when Marshall spilled the ball forward with the try line at his mercy.
