PHOTOS:
Crymych 2nds
Crymych skipper Cennydd James is delighted to receive the trophy from Junior Union president Eirian Evans
The match officials
Whitland 2nds
 

Pembrokeshire Junior Union Cup Final:

 

Whitland 2nds 8 - Crymych 2nds 9

 
Venue: Lewis Lloyd Ground, Narberth
Referee: Matthew Evans.
Assistants: Jason Summers and Ross Grieve.
 
PembrokeshireSport.co.uk unofficial men of the match:
Andrew Fletcher (Crymych) and Daf Walters (Whitland)
 
A late penalty from Crymych 2nds outside half Sam Phillips secured his side the Junior Union Cup in a tight battle with their counterparts from Whitland which halted the Borderers’ previous four-year run as trophy winners.
 
Phillips had already kicked two second half penalties as Crymych battled back from being 8-0 down at the break – and with the Borderers down to 14 men, secured victory with just four minutes left as he held his nerve from 20 metres out.
 

Whitland use the wind to their advantage

 
Whitland had the advantage of the wind in the first half and made the brighter start, but full back James Stephenson was just off target with an early penalty from 40 metres out.

With Shane Phillips probing constantly at outside half the Borderers continued to threaten and Stephenson made no mistake when presented with a second shot at goal.
Whitland second row Daf Walters then broke from deep inside his own half and chipped into touch just short of the Crymych line – but when the ball went loose from the ensuing lineout, flanker James Thomas knocked on as he tried to touch down over the line.
 

Preseli power in scrums but Borderers grab only try

 

But the Preseli Men soon got a foothold in the game as their pack ruled the roost in the scrums through Andrew Fletcher, Martin Edwards and Matthew House, and had parity in the linesout. They went close when centre Aled Davies chipped into the path of winger Tomos Lewis, but his hack ahead was well covered by Stephenson.
 
Moments later Whitland centre Liam Price kicked ahead but Crymych second row Mike Llewellyn did well to get back and pounce on the loose ball – but was forced back over his line in the process. From the resultant scrum a heavy spell of pressure involving skipper Adam Davies and his back row of James Thomas, Mark Beasley and Karl Williams saw the

Borderers grab the game’s only try – as No 8 Williams linked with centre Anthony James to put winger Ian Thomas over in the corner.
 

Missed kicks and chances go astray

 
Stephenson missed the conversion from a difficult angle and then a chance to extend the lead when he was wide with a straight forward penalty from in front of the posts – and at the other end Crymych went close when they worked an overlap out wide but replacement centre Emyr Williams, on for the injured Martin Jones, spilled the ball in midfield, as both teams did too many times in pressure situations.

The half ended with a melee as tempers flared - and Whitland prop Lee Williams was shown a yellow card by referee Matthew Evans.
 

Furious pace as Crymych claw their way back

 
The second half started at a furious pace as both sides were willing to keep ball in hand and run quick tap penalties - and Whitland had the first opportunity when a drive by Walters set up James, but after he made ground down the left wing he was smothered by the cover defence. At the other end Crymych centres Davies and Williams combined well in midfield and after the Borderers infringed from the ensuing ruck – Sam Phillips reduced the deficit to 8-3.
 
And it was Phillips who then went close with a jinking run after 55 minutes, following a good break by winger Rhodri Lewis, before being presented with another chance in front of goal which he duly goaled.
The Preseli Men began to get in the ascendancy in the final quarter and prop Andrew Fletcher intercepted Shane Morgan’s attempt to chip out of defence, but from the proceeding ruck Phillips spun it wide but winger Lewis knocked on when trying to step the cover defence.
 

Whitland pay a heavy price

 
With six minutes left, Whitland again went down to 14 when prop Gethin Lewis was penalised for offside, and after Sam Phillips kicked the resultant penalty into the corner, the Borderers infringed again when replacement flanker Matthew Owens came in from the side of a ruck.

Phillips landed the pressure penalty to put his side into the lead for the first time – although Whitland tried to respond when Walters charged into the 22. The Borderers were initially awarded a kickable penalty but second row Sam James was sin binned for foul play to leave Whitland with 13 men – and the Preseli Men held out to complete a memorable season - adding the cup to their All Wales Sport League Division One title.
 
Whitland: James Stephenson, Aled Morgan, Liam Price, Anthony James, Ian Thomas, Shane Morgan, Adam Davies (Capt), Gethin Lewis, Lee Williams, Barry Jones, Sam James, Daf Walters, James Thomas, Mark Beasley, Karl Williams. Replacements: Aled Howells, Matthew McMillan, Matthew Owens, Charlie Preece, Ryan Thomas, Rob Howells.
 
Crymych: Aled Morgan, Rhodri Lewis, Martin Jones, Aled Davies, Tomos Lewis, Sam Phillips, Barry Davies, Matthew House, Martin Edwards, Andrew Fletcher, Cennydd James (Capt), Mike Llewellyn, Rhys Davies, Gareth Owen, Carwyn Lawrence. Replacements: Carwyn Rees, Rhys Mathias, Aled Scourfield, Mark Oakman, Andrew Thomas, Emyr Williams, Steffan Kurtz.