Fixture

Pembrokeshire KO Cup quarter final:

Crymych 10-19 Narberth

NARBERTH made a winning return to the Pembrokeshire KO Cup as they overcame a gritty Crymych side at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

The Otters, playing their first match in the competition in almost five years, appeared in control as they led 19-3 midway through the second half – but found themselves under pressure in the closing stages as they briefly went down to 13 men before home No 8 Joe Powell crossed for a converted score.

But Sean Gale and Jonathan Dodd’s men saw out the closing stages to book their place in the semi finals.

The Otters had a chance to take the lead inside two minutes as outside half Ianto Griffiths was off target with a penalty from 40 metres out – but aside from that, scoring opportunities were few and far between in a tight opening quarter where both sides were guilty of loosely kicking away possession.

It was the Preseli Men who opened the scoring 17 minutes in as outside half Sam Phillips intercepted a Narberth midfield move and chipped ahead - and although Otters scrum half Luke Rodgers did well to cover back, his forwards were penalised at the ensuing ruck and Phillips converted the simple penalty chance.

But just four minutes later the visitors struck back, as prop Sean Lloyd drove at the heart of the Crymych defence, helping create an overlap from which flanker Stuart Worrall put full back Johnny Morgan over for an unconverted try.

The game then began to open up and home winger Gavin Thomas, a real threat throughout, skipped past three would be tacklers and chipped ahead, but was unable to keep the ball in play.

At the other end Griffiths intercepted a pass and hacked on, but Narberth winger Nick Gale was penalised for pushing as he tried to pounce on the loose ball, and the Preseli Men were able to clear.

But five minutes before the break, The Otters extended their lead after a period of pressure culminated in No 8 Lewis Wood scoring from a five metre scrum and Griffiths converted.

And they came close to a third score with the final play of the first half, as centre and skipper Steve Martin sped free down the right wing and off loaded to Lloyd, but his subsequent return pass went to ground.

Early in the second half, The Otters wasted an early chance from a close range lineout – but it mattered little as moments later Gale’s kick ahead was eventually gathered by centre Jason Howells who crossed for an unconverted try.

Crymych almost struck back immediately when full back Carywn Jones’ deflected chip fell into the hands of centre Elgan Vittle, who also then chipped ahead, but Narberth full back Morgan just beat the lively Thomas to the ball on the in goal area.

However, with 13 minutes left, the contest turned when the visitors’ replacement scrum half Rhys Lane had a clearance kick charged down, and winger Gale was yellow carded by referee Wayne Davies when he infringed as the Preseli Men scrambled to try and capitalise on the loose ball.

Crymych centre Dyfan Dafydd then went close to sniping through – before Narberth went down to 13 men when replacement second row Nio Aloni was penalised for straying offside at a lineout.

Phillips kicked the resultant penalty back into the corner, and this time, the Preseli Men did cross when No 8 Powell crashed over. Phillips added the touchline conversion to narrow the deficit to nine points.

But The Otters were able to starve the home side of the possession they desperately needed late on – and had a chance to extend the lead when Gale returned to the field but pulled a 30 metre penalty wide.

But it mattered little as the Championship side joined Whitland and Neyland in the semi finals, with Haverfordwest and Cardigan due to play their quarter final on Thursday, December 18.

Crymych: Carwyn Jones, Gavin Thomas, Elgan Vittle, Dyfan Dafydd, Nick Bevan, Sam Phillips, Gareth Davies, Ifan James, Josh Clarke, Gethin Jones, Gruffudd Howells, Rhys Richards, Osian Phillips, Rhys Davies, Joe Powell. Replacements: Cerwyn Rees, Ifan Phillips, Lewis Davies, Cenydd James, Sion Rowlands, Tomos Phillips, Dylan Thomas.

Narberth: Johnny Morgan, Nick Gale, Steve Martin, Jason Howells, Tomi Jones, Ianto Griffiths, Luke Rodgers, Sean Lloyd, Dan Smith, Tom Slater, Adam Clark, Tom Bannister, Gareth Bateman, Stuart Worral, Lewis Wood. Replacements: Ollie Evans, Steffan Phillips, Nio Aloni, Rhys Lane, Ashley Sutton.

Referee: Wayne Davies.