The Seaweeds welcomed Banwen to South Road on Saturday and went all out to prove that the display against Bryncethin was no passing fancy.
On a hard and rain-deserted ground Porthcawl got off to the finest of starts as their intention to play total rugby saw flanker Sion Dunkley notch the first try just 3 minutes in for 5-nil.
Although Banwen got back on terms with a soft try within minutes, Seaweeds giant lock Ian O’Keefe, showing his versatility in the front row, picked up 15 meters out and drove over with four tacklers hanging off his back, for a try at the posts converted by Tim Richards.
The Seaweeds backs took full advantage of the hard surface to run some great lines and when full-back Ollie Jones cut through for a try to make it 17-5, it looked like being a good afternoon for the home fans to enjoy.
At times, loose passes saw tries go begging as Porthcawl threw the ball around at will, with a hatful of points eluding the rampant home side, and it was Banwen who scored a further try for 17-10.
However, scrum-half Mathew Roberts, masterly behind his pack yet again, showed a superb piece of support play to cross at the posts. Richards’ conversion made it 24-10.
Flanker Dunkley, a peerless worker in the loose, got his just reward for a fine afternoon’s graft, with a second try, converted by Richards to make it 31-10 but again Banwen came back with their own converted try for a half-time score of 31-17.
Porthcawl started the second half in the same swaggering style, throwing the ball around with abandon, the pack working hard to keep the backs well-supplied with Steve Phillips, Gareth Richards and Ollie Jones constantly cutting the visitors defence with intelligent play.
The pressure continued to pay off as veteran flanker Danny Shore, helping out at lock, got his reward for some barnstorming runs throughout the match, by crossing for a try converted by Richards for 38-17 before substitute Dai James, showed his knack for entering the fray and nabbing the odd try with one that took the match score to 43-17, within sight of the half century.
Hooker Rob Sutton, a former Porthcawl regular, now plying his trade for one of the Swansea clubs, played on permit for the day and showed fantastic anticipation to be in the right place at the right time, crossing for another great try at the posts.
Outside-half Richards stepped up and coolly placed the conversion to bring the 50 points up at the close, a fitting end to a hugely morale-boosting performance for the Seaweeds.
There were many outstanding contributions throughout the match, with skipper Mattie Davies leading his pack with commitment, and well supported by Jamie Fry and the irrepressible handful that is Nick Nutman, and the backs stringing together some of the best play seen at South Road this season. The trip to Cwmgwrach on Saturday puts Porthcawl in great heart, with another sound performance beckoning.
