Crymych made their expected passage to the 2010 Knock Out Cup Final with a comfortable win at The Observatory Field against Milford Haven, who are to be commended at the way they played their hearts out and were part of the reason this tie turned into an entertaining clash.
Having said that, The Mariners were 33-0 adrift at half time after The Preseli Men elected to take first use of the slope and the strong wind but as coach Nathan ‘Gully’ Williams said afterwards,
“We knew we would find it hard going but I’m pleased at the way we kept plugging away and actually outscored them by 12-7 in the second half.
“If we do gain promotion then tough tussles like this against a team two divisions above us can only do us good.”
Opposite number Randall Williams was quick to sing Milford’s praises and told us,
“We came to win and gave a run out to some of our squad members, which can only be good – and we scored six tries in the process. Now we have to wait to see who we play in the final and we are already looking forward to it.”
The visitors served notice of intent from the first minutes when play was switched in both directions at pace and winger Tomos Lewis was able to cross wide on the right before No 10 Ifan Phillips converted with an excellent kick.
Milford showed good hands, led by Steve Martin, Jamie Lewis and Dan Jenkins as they tried to run the ball against the elements, with Mark Wonnacott, Zac Davies, Ben Groves, Zac France-Miller and Sam Dolling securing the necessary possession.
But they were made to pay a heavy price when they lost the ball in contact and Crymych half backs Ifan and Dafydd Phillips set the likes of Nick Bevan, Gethin Gibby and Tomi Jones on powerful runs – and they scored two more tries via No 8 Guto Davies and winger Lawrence Headlam, both converted by Ifan Phillips.
Further Crymych pressure saw flanker Osian Davies cross wide out and Ifan Phillips superbly converted from wide out – but showed he was human after all when he failed to add the extra points when prop Rhys Richards was impelled over the line after good work by skipper Harries, Ryan Rees, Matthew Freebury and big Ryan Bean.
It says much for The Mariners’ spirit that they started the second half with a series of raids into the bottom 22 and after winger Lee Riley and centre Jamie Lewis set up the platform it was powerful prop Zac France-miller who opened their account from close range, with scrum half Dan McClelland doing well to add the extras.
Then Riley and fellow winger James Trueman combined on the right flank but a promising platform was halted for a foot in touch and play was swept back upfield from loose play by Gethin Gibby’s blind-side run and kick ahead before he won the race for the touchdown in the top left corner.
But it was appropriate that Milford should have the final say as replacements like Mike Cockburn, coach Williams and Ben Jenkins should feature before Sam Dolling capped an excellent performance with an unconverted try.
Both teams and referee Jason Summers deserve credit for their positive approach, which meant that the game was played at pace throughout before both sides settled down to watch Wales beat Scotland as a nice way to round off the afternoon!
Milford Haven: Steve Martin: James Trueman; Jamie Lewis; Dan Jenkins (Capt); Lee Riley: Efan Morgan; Dan McClelland: Zac France-Miller; Luke Ryan; Adam Rees: Dewi Williams; Andrew Ling: Ben Groves; Zac Davies; Mark Wonnacott. Replacements: Nathan Williams; Mike Cockburn; Ben Jenkins; Sam Dolling; Dean McSparron.
Crymych: Nick Bevan: Tomos Lewis; Gethin Gibby; Tomi Jones; Lawrence Headlam: Ifan Phillips; Dafydd Phillips: Rhys Richards; Aled Harries (Capt); Ryan Rees: Ryan Bean; Matthew Freebury: Osian Davies; Sion Colella; Guto Davies. Replacements: Steff Harries; Jason Nicholls; Llew Rees; Llyr Evans; Gareth Davies, Ilan Phillips, Morgan James.
Referee: Jason Summers
http://www.pembrokeshiresport.co.uk/rugby/preseli-men-power-their-way-to-ko-cup-final
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