Fixture

Crymych 12 - Whitland 10

It certainly wasn’t pretty but the large crowd of vociferous supporters from both camps were treated to a massive confrontational derby that was a credit to both clubs in terms of total commitment and effort – and a measure of the defensive hard work that saw only one try.

There were also errors aplenty as Crymych and Whitland desperately sought to gain the upper hand as the former were on top in terms of territory based on a formidable pack power but Whitland were excellent on the counter and could justifiably claim that they had their chances to complete the double, having won 23-21 at home.

Unlikely hero steps up

But in the final analysis the unlikely hero came in the form of 18 year old Hari Williams, who came on when centre Carwyn Phillips sustained a leg injury and the talented youngster held his nerve to slot a penalty from his first touch.

He was then yellow-carded by referee Jackey Boswell (Llanelli) but added two more penalties on target in a desperate last 20 minutes as The Borderers battled away with 13 men – and although he was wide with a fourth attempt it mattered little because the final whistle blew straight afterwards.

Crymych served notice of their intent as Rhys Davies’s boys started well with powerful surges from Osian Phillips, Matthew Freebury and especially No 8 Guto Davies, whilst prop Ryan Rees staked claims for the man of the match tag for his scrummaging, tackling and especially ball carrying.

They took the lead from a penalty by 38 year old outside half Gareth Davies but over eagerness cost them points and Whitland battled back to score from almost their first incursion into the home 22.

Nico Setaro was off-target with a long range penalty and Adam Davies was unlucky not to score from a quickly-taken tap penalty – but when Setaro kicked a penalty into the clubhouse corner a superbly-controlled drive saw influential No 8 Jack Mason emerge from a pile of bodies with the ball before Setaro added the extra points from wide out.

Guto Davies launched another Crymych attack with a strong surge but he was halted by a ‘no arms’ tackle; although Davies was then off-target with the resulting penalty.

At the other end James Stephenson missed with a snap drop goal and after Carwyn Phillips limped off up stepped Hari Williams to land a vital penalty.

Chances missed by both sides

Both teams had chances to score from useful counter-attacks when the ball was lost on the ground, with Josh Thomas and Gino Setaro tidying up well for The Borderers and Gethin Gibby and Laurence Headlam always posing a threat from the home side.

Another Williams’ penalty hauled his side to within a point before Whitland had a chance to gain some breathing space as Setaro lined up a penalty chance – only for the ball to strike the near post and allow the chance of a terrific Crymych counter attack which was again halted by a forced pass.

The miss proved costly because after  referee Boswell had awarded another Crymych penalty it was Williams who put his side two points ahead against The Borderers’ 13 men.

There were groans from the home crowd as their team elected to quickly take a tapped penalty instead of hoofing the ball into touch but it all ended well for them as they received that last chance for Williams, which he pulled to the right of the posts.

It rounded off a game bristling with intent as neither side was willing to take a backwards step – and which showcased the playing strengths of both Crymych and Whitland.

Crymych: Tomos Phillips: Tomos Jones; Gethin Gibby; Carwyn Phillips; Laurence Headlam: Gareth Davies; Adam Forster: Steffan Harries; Aled Harries; Ryan Rees: Rhys Richards; Matthew Freebury: Rhys Davies (Capt); Osian Phillips; Guto Davies. Replacements: Jason Nicholls; Llew Rees; Harri Williams; Dyfan Phillips; Dafydd Phillips.

Whitland: Nico Setaro: Liam Price; Gino Setaro; Josh Thomas; Rhys Schiavone: James Stephenson; Adam Davies: Tomos Evans; Marc Jones (Capt); Michael Ryan: Courtney Bowman; Benjamin Kirk: Ryan Morgan; Dan Evans; Jack Mason. Replacements: Aaron Mayne; Jimmy Buirds; James Thomas; Scott Buirds; Jason Thomas.

Referee: Jackey Boswell (Llanelli)

http://www.pembrokeshiresport.co.uk/rugby/rugby-reports-5th-january-2019