There was a major shock in the opening round of the 2016/17 Pembrokeshire KO Cup last night (Thursday) as Division Two West side Fishguard knocked out reigning champions Crymych on their own turf.
The Seagulls led the Division One West side 8-6 at the break thanks to a Kial Keane penalty and try from prop Owain Rowlands, and although Rhys Davies landed his third penalty just after half time to edge the home side in front – Keane was on target with another two three pointers late on before the visitors held out in a frantic finish.
It was Keane who look assured early on at No 10 as The Seagulls started strongly, pinning the Preseli Men back with his kicking out of hand. He was off target with a long range penalty attempt five minutes in, but soon after home scrum half Davies chose to run a penalty from his own 22, and it backfired as his side were penalised at the breakdown and this time, Keane was on target to make it 3-0. Crymych’s first real pressure came from when Davies kicked a penalty into the corner, but despite winning clean lineout ball, Fishguard skipper Gavin Walsh won a crucial turnover and his side were able to clear. Davies then levelled the scores with a superb penalty from wide on the right touchline, but 20 minutes in, the visitors grabbed the game’s solitary try. Centre Ben John and prop Andrew Morrillo both made inroads in the Crymych 22, and after the home side were penalised for offside, Keane kicked to the corner. From the resultant driving lineout, it was new prop Owain Rowlands who touched down, with Keane wide with the conversion. Centre Ifan Phillips then saw yellow for Crymych and Fishguard No 8 Simon James went on a charging run from halfway, but lacked support at the crucial moment. The Preseli Men then pressed themselves and Fishguard full back Bendall was forced to carry a loose ball back over his own try line, but from the subsequent five metre scrum, The Seagulls survived when Crymych flanker Tom Powell spilt possession as he charged for the line. Davies did land another simply penalty though to reduce the deficit to 8-6, and moments before the interval Fishguard centre Mike Jenkins was sent to the sin-bin by referee Andrew Slade.
Just seconds after the break Fishguard were down to 13 when Rowlands was also shown yellow, and Crymych took advantage as The Seagulls were penalised in midfield and Davies landed his third successful penalty. But Fishguard responded as Jenkins, back on the field, hacked on a loose ball, but Crymych full back Carwyn James recovered well. The Preseli Men then had a chance of their own but Fishguard second row Richard Hunter stole a lineout just metres from his own line, and then with 20 minutes left, the tide turned. Keane was presented with a 35 metre penalty chance which he landed to nudge his side ahead 11-9, and just a minute later, Crymych were penalised again and after referee Slade moved the penalty 10 metres forward for dissent, Keane was again on target from 22 metres. But The Seagulls then lost Rowlands to a second yellow card for a dangerous tackle, and after Keane pushed another penalty attempt wide, The Preseli Men piled on the pressure late on. Winger Nick Bevan appeared to be heading for the line but was brilliantly held up by a combination of Bendall and Steffan Lewis, meaning a last minute five metre attacking scrum for Crymych. But the Fishguard defence held firm under a barrage of pressure, and from the game’s final play, home winger Dylan Thomas chipped ahead but Seagulls replacement Liam Wilks won the race to the touchdown. That sparked a huge roar from the travelling players and supporters, and it is Fishguard who will now host another Division One West side in Aberystwyth in the quarter finals.
Crymych: Carwyn James, Nick Bevan, Tomos Phillips, Ifan Phillips, Dylan Thomas, Sion Thomas, Rhys Davies, Ifan James, Aled Harries, Lewis Davies, Ilasau Torau, Ryan Bean, Llyr Davies, Tom Powell, Dion Gibby.
Replacements: Steffan Harries, Ryan McVeigh, Cennydd James, Dan Griffiths, Arwel Davies, Llyr Edwards, Josh Hewins.
Fishguard: Ed Bendall, Jerome Conlan, Mike Jenkins, Ben John, Steffan Jenkins, Kial Keane, Andrew Williams, Owain Rowlands, Gavin Walsh (capt), Andrew Morrillo, Gwillym Evans, Richatd Hunter, Mark George, Chris Shousha, Simon James.
Replacements: Sam Kurtz, James Reynolds, Alun George, Hywel Davies, Mark Butler, Jason Davies, Liam Wilks.
Referee: Andrew Slade.
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