PEMBROKESHIRESPORT.CO.UK CELEBRATES TWO GREAT RUGBY STORIES FROM THE WEEKEND!

 






 

WRU Division Three Cup:

 

Brilliant All Blacks defy bugs to deservedly reach the semis

 

Neyland 30 - Llanhilleth 24

 
Neyland entered the semi-finals of the divisional cup with an epic home win over Llanhilleth, a village three miles from Abertillery in Blaenau Gwent, in front of a huge crowd that saw The All Blacks lead 20-5 at half time, add another seven points straight after the interval from the try of a cracking match – and then had to hold on after ‘The Rhinos’ clawed their way back.
 
That The All Blacks were able to field a team was remarkable because a nasty bout of flu-like symptoms, sickness and diarrhea had decimated the squad and attempts to have the game postponed were turned down by the WRU so that they had to make do with players only being half-fit, hence those late tired legs as the opposition grabbed two tries to bring them back into contention.
 
Outside half Oli Rothero was one notable absentee and his place was taken by George Evans, who has been in the second row of late but returned to outside half and was chosen as man of the match for the way that he worked with scrum half Owen Hamer in choosing the right options, as well as kicking really well to grab important points.
 
Owain Evans returned to the back row and his place at hooker was filled by Alex Swales, who formed a very strong front row with Luke Griffiths-Dawes and Seb Mackintosh, whilst Dan Harts joined Evans and Ben Williams in a ball-winning back row, and Iestyn Evans and Adam Peel (normally a centre or flanker) played in the second row.




 

All Blacks set the pace from the outset

 
And it was the Neyland pack which established the platform for their first score as a series of drives ended with Griffiths-Dawes powering over for a try converted by George Evans, who also added the extras when Dan Harts’ support play was rewarded with a deserved try.
 
With centres Patrick Bellerby and skipper George Williams posing a threat with their ability to find space there were chances for the back three of Henry Macbeth, Josh Watts and especially Delme Bateman (who celebrated his 45^th birthday the day before!) to go close without finding the try line – but George Evans slotted two penalties before Llanhilleth finally managed to score an unconverted try by big centre Aaron Humphreys just before the oranges.
 
The All Blacks responded almost straight from the kick-off when full back Macbeth used his pace to exploit a gap near his own 22 and then linked with skipper Williams before taking a return pass and putting winger Watts under the posts for George Evans to add the easy extra points.







 

Llanhilleth battle back against tired legs – but Neyland hold firm late on

 
Llanhilleth replied with a try from centre Ben Carpenter, converted by full back Jensen Cook, before George Evans landed another penalty – but some tired legs were evident in the final stages despite being able to call on the vastly-experienced Andrew Slark and Mark James to reinforce their pack as the visitors managed to raise the tempo.
 
Llanhilleth scored tries by flanker Cai Richards and a second for centre Humphreys, one converted by Cook to narrow the gap to six points and start a few tremors in the Neyland supporters’ thoughts.
 
But they maintained their shape and discipline to seal a terrific victory under trying circumstances and must now wait to find out who their opponents will be in the semi-final, where they will hope to show this sort of resilience and quality play to make their first appearance in the final, hopefully at the Principality Stadium!








 
Neyland:  Henry Macbeth: Josh Watts, George Williams (Capt); Patrick Bellerby; Delme Bateman: George Evans; Owen Hamer: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Alex Swales; Seb Mackintosh: Adam Peel; Iestyn Evans: Dan Harts; Owain Evans; Ben Williams. Replacements: Andrew Slark; Mark James. (Not used): Chris Busby; Nick Wilson; Jasper Endean.







 

WRU Division Three Cup:

 

Cardis battle their way into the semis

 

Cardigan 20 - CR Cymry Caerdydd 19

 
Cardigan moved into the last four of their divisional cup with an outstanding performance against one of the favourites for the silverware in Clwb Rygbi.Cymry Caerdydd, who are top of Division Three (East Central) and looking like favourites for promotion alongside Wattstown, with clubs of the calibre of Llantrisant, Wattstown, Tonyrefail and some of the best-known Cardiff district clubs trailing ten points in their wake.
 
A huge crowd gave Cardigan every support and CRCC brought with them two busloads of enthusiastic supporters and a number were staying overnight in the Cardigan area.
 
But they reckoned without the battling spirit of a Cardigan side which has already shown its mettle as they are the only team to beat their own section promotion favourites Tycroes and lost narrowly to Tumble, sticking to their game as they absorbed pressure when they needed and took their chances before some great defence to Maintain their slender lead to the end.
 
And CR Cymry Caerdydd showed what a good side they are as they quickly opened up a 12-0 lead with good tries from Sion Davies and Louis Routledge, one converted by Griff Iwan,
 
It might have demoralised some teams but not The Cardis as ace points gatherer Shaun Leonard slotted a penalty and then converted a well-worked try from centre Iwan John to narrow the interval gap to just two points in the visitors’ favour.
 
Classy winger John Lumb rounded off some quick hands by Iwan Toft, Llyr Jones and Emyr Harries to score a try after 50 minutes which Leonard again converted to put his side 17-12 ahead and then added a penalty after 66 minutes which gave The Cardis an eight-point cushion
 
But after 73 minutes CRCC grabbed their third try, claimed by Griff Hughes and converted by Gruff Iwan to reduce Cardigan’s advantage to 20-19 with some nerve-wracking moments as 46 minutes were played in the second   half.
 
Outstanding No 8 Guto Davies was chosen as man of the match for Cardigan for his all-round performance that typified the whole squad’s approach – and their reward is their first-ever semi-final slot that leaves them just one tantalising step from the Principality Stadium!
 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: John Lumb; Iwan John; Emyr Harries; Alun Jenkins: Llyr Jones; Iwan Toft: Will Brice; Luke Palmer Davies; Nathan Bowen: Dean Harries; Sion Phillips: Kieran Hurley; Dafydd Rotie; Guto Davies. Replacements:  Andrew Jones; Ben Hughes; Dan Jones; Flynn Tjoonk; Aaron Tomkinson; Aaron Evans; Jac Davies; Kieran Greenland.