Knockout Cup Semi-Finals 2024/25:

 

Aber secure their place in this season’s KO Cup Final

 

Aberystwyth 22 - Aberaeron 7

 
Aberystwyth faced a real challenge from nearest District H neighbours Aberaeron in an all-Ceredigion clash before the former club confirmed their superior league status to earn a final slot against Tenby United that will be eagerly anticipated because their clashes this season in Division One (West) have  been of epic proportions.
 
The Seasiders were worthy winners at Heywood Lane but Aber were equally deserving when they clashed again at Plascrug and as a result are now favourites for promotion.
 
Aberaeron play in Division Three (West) but made the short journey up the coast with good intent but found themselves 17-0 down at half time as strong performances up front by Lee ‘Truck’ Evans, Osian Bebb-Worrell and veteran Paul Stubbs saw Aberystwyth score tries by flanker Rattrey and winger Harry Gwynn-Jones, both converted by full back Dylan Benjamin alongside a well-judged penalty.
 
Lesser teams might have folded at that stage but Aberaeron kept plugging away, with Owain Bonsall, Finn Webb, Will James and  Bleddyn Thomas amongst others giving 100% effort.
 
Their reward was a well-conceived try for replacement Dyfrig Dafis, converted by Steffan Rees – but Aberystwyth put their experience to good effect as skipper Charles Thomas and half back partner Tommy Sandford controlled matters as they added a try by ‘Truck’ Evans and a second penalty for Benjamin to claim their place at Pembroke’s ‘Blue Riband’ event against an equally classy and committed Tenby United squad.
 
Aberystwyth:  Dylan Benjamin: Dafydd Llyr Hywel; Jac Jones; Carwyn Evans; Harry Gwynn Jones; Tommy Sandford; Charles Thomas (Capt): Dylan Jones; Osian Bebb-Worrell: Ioan Lewis: Llywellyn Evans; Osian Jones: Steffan Rattrey, Paul Stubbs; Lee Evans. Replacements: Mason Lees; Tinan Botha; Dylan Davies; Lloyd Ellis-Jones; Sion Evans; Rhys Willetts-Jones; Leo Desouza-Davies.
 
Aberaeron: Morgan Llewelyn (Capt): Ifan Davies; Rhys Jones; Rhodri Jenkins; Steffan DJ Jones: Steffan Rees; Rhodri Thomas: Ceri Davies; Owain Bonsall; Finn Webb: Bleddyn Thomas; Llyr Davies: Bruce Gaskell; Owain Davies; Will James. Replacements: Sion Evans; Owen Wozencroft; Jack Richards; Gethin Dafis; Tudur Jenkins; Dyfrig Dafis; Matthew Harries.



















 
 
 

Seasiders have too much power and pace for brave Blues

 

Haverfordwest 13 - Tenby United 52

 
Haverfordwest really showed real commitment against Tenby United but The Blues were often on the back foot as The Seasiders’ forward power was too much to bridge that three-division gap and after trailing by 18 points at half time they had 21 more points piled on them after the break without being able to increase their total.
 
Tenby started with a bang as Jack Broadhurst rounded off a concerted move down the right flank before Lloyd Thomas’s conversion attempt fell just under the bar – and The Blues responded really well as Jamie Zambas, Terry Lovell, Mike Griffiths and Dylan Williamson were involved before No 10 Matty Phillips made a break and put full back Guy Barrons in for a try and Jack Codd converted to nudge his team ahead.
 
But their lead was short-lived as Tom Edmonds and especially Liam Price’s midfield pace saw Jordan Asparassa take play near the line and prop Hywel Baker squeezed over for No 10 Thomas to convert.
 
Then hooker Kyle Rossiter added a third from a penalty to the corner and controlled forward drive and then a strong break by outstanding scrum half Dai Jones put centre Edmonds in for a try which Thomas goaled.
 
It says much for Haverfordwest that they battled back and in a good period where Andrew Edwards; Jake Evans, Crawford Hedmon and skipper Karl Busch featured, they earned two penalties that were kicked by centre Codd but although they went close in the left corner they were unable to convert pressure into more points and right on half time The Seasiders added their fifth try when a quickly-tapped penalty from Thomas established the platform and No 8 Jack Brown ploughed over as reward for his contribution alongside Ethan Morgan, skipper Tom Barrass, Charlie Patching and Max Brindley, making a welcome return after moving away to work.
 
The second period followed a similar pattern as The Blues had their moments in the third quarter but no points accrued, and with Gwion, Dai and Geraint Jones posing a threat behind the scrum for Tenby it was winger Gwion who showed his finishing skills before Thomas again added the extras.
 
Lloyd Thomas then got his name on the try sheet as a little dummy on the 22 saw him slice through for a try he converted – and it was perhaps appropriate that replacement Ryan Bolton’s patience was finally rewarded when he crossed the whitewash and inevitably it was Thomas who converted to give himself  17 points as reward for his quiet control of play.
 
Haverfordwest: Guy Barrons: Gabriel Thicker; Jet Temaki;  Jack Codd; Johnny White: Matthew Phillips; Liam Eaton: Andrew Edwards; Jamie Zambas; Terry Lovell: Jake Evans; Karl Busch (Capt): Crawford Hedmon; Dylan Williamson; Mike Griffiths. Replacements: Rhydian Watkins; Mattew Clayton; Jamie Phillips; Teifion Owen; Ben Llewellyn; Isaac Kelso-Jones;  Iestyn Arnold.
 
Tenby United: Geraint Jones: Jordan Asparassa; Liam Price; Tom Edmonds; Gwion Jones: Lloyd Thomas; Dai Jones: Hywel Baker; Kyle Rossiter; Ethan Morgan: Tom Barrass (Capt); Charlie Patching: Max Brindley; Jack Broadhurst; Jack Brown. Replacements: Nicky Guymer; James Morgan; Frankie Boyd; Ryan Bolton; Will James; Fletcher Broadhurst; Cam Broadhurst.