Port Talbot Panthers 22 - Pembrokeshire Vikings 31

Pembrokeshire Vikings kept their unbeaten record intact with a hard-fought victory over Port Talbot Panthers at the Aberavon Quins’ ground in Port Talbot on Sunday.

With a squad of 18, the Vikings valiantly battled to outscore the hosts by five tries to four in an entertaining encounter.

The game was played in true mixed ability style with plenty of running rugby and the discipline was exemplary with only one penalty all game despite a hotly contested breakdown and several bruising hits.

The Vikings made an electric start as captain Daniel 'Porky' Morgan burst through the midfield for another try to add to his growing collection for the season, Ollie Mathias added the extras.

The visitors were pegged back immediately as Panthers scored a breakaway, which was converted to bring the scores level.

However, within minutes the Vikings’ Gaz Mathias added a brilliant solo try as he sprinted around the outside.

The Vikings’ tails were up as the scored again after a period of concerted pressure, this time Kyran Owens bulldozered his way over from close range giving the Vikings a ten-point lead at half time.

After the break, the Panthers scored straight from kick-off after a scintillating run from their man of the match, but the Vikings hit back straight away with a fine individual effort of their own, Josh Price scored after a mazy run, and he also nailed the conversion for good measure.

As the game wore on the Vikings squad began to tire with much of the second half played in their own half. Despite soaking up plenty of pressure, the Panthers muscled their way back into it with two unconverted tries to set up a tense finale.

However, the Vikings found an extra gear when required as Gaz Mathias scored another fine try on the outside, and this time Marcus Greenish slotted the extras to put the game to bed.

On the day, rugby was the winner, and the Pembrokeshire Vikings look forward to hosting the Panthers later in the season 
 
Pembrokeshire Vikings Squad: Kyran Owens, Youssef El Tawab, Shane Marshall, Ben Couceiro, Sean Mackenzie, Darren Lewis, Daniel Shaw, Ryan Foot, Marc Davies, Mikey Jones, Paul Clayton, Geno Cleal, Daniel Morgan ©, Josh Price, Gaz Mathias, Ollie Mathias, Pete Pritchard, Marcus Greenish.

Men of the Match: Ben Couceiro and Kyran Owens.

Pembrokeshire Vikings tries: Gaz Mathias x2, Daniel Morgan, Kyran Owens, Josh Price
Conversions: Ollie Mathias, Josh Price, Marcus Greenish
 
Referee: Chris Williams.
Pictures: Mira Angielczyk