JUNIOR UNION

Crymych 2nds 8 Emlyn Dreigiau 12

Emlyn Dreigiau sneaked through for a hard-fought win over their Crymych counterparts in this local derby match at Parc Lloyd Thomas.

This was the third meeting between the rival in recent months and it was the visitors who came away with the spoils on this occasion, after they had both enjoyed a win previously.The match started with the home side dominating possession and territory but they could only manage to get three points on the board through the boot of Llyr Edwards as the Dreigiau managed to soak up a lot of pressure.

A makeshift visiting forward pack, which saw team manager Haydn Morgan come out of retirement for the third time this season, fronted up well and gave quality ball to the young backline who sparked into life on the half hour mark.

Fast hands from Centre Matthew Rollins released fullback Curtis Bradford who broke the line and linked up with wing Dafydd James but some superb scramble defence prevented a score. However, Emlyn kept their fast pace going and it wasn’t long before veteran prop Barry Evans barged his way over to score a try following a pick and go (and some fancy footwork!) to put the visitors in front 5-3 at half time.

In such a physical game both teams were forced to make changes, in Emlyn’s case this jumbled the team up massively but again the away side managed to soak up significant amounts of pressure from a fired up Crymych side with skipper Cennydd James leading by example alongside the likes of Llew Rees, Mathew House and number eight Rhodri Davies.

Against the run of play Emlyn got into a good attacking position, won a penalty and captain Nikki Williams took the brave decision to turn down an almost certain three points to take a scrum. His decision was rewarded when eventually Aled Jones and Hefin Jones, the latter a wing forced into backrow duties due to injuries, bundled over from close range.

Both players were unsure who finally grounded it but there was no doubt about the conversion as Crwys Rees stepped up to add the extra two points.

The Preseli men dominated the remainder of the game and threw everything at the Dreigiau but not for the first time this season the boys from Ddol Wiber put their bodies on the line to thwart the opposition. Crymych did eventually cross in the corner when Rhodri Davies touched down and this made for a nail biting finish. The hosts attacked hard but some desperate defending kept them at bay, with prop Dafydd Davies making some crucial tackles.

Speaking after the match Emlyn coach Curtis Bradford commented:

“Fair play to Crymych they have now given us three great games and each time they have given us a lot of problems especially in the second half but I’ve got to give our boys credit as that was a huge defensive effort to keep them out and a well-earned win for us.

“We certainly needed a test after some time off over November and Crymych are always going to be very competitive so hopefully after this we are going to be in a good place for Llandybie next week”.

“This was a typical December derby and both teams should take credit for the tremendously physical and passionate game.”

MATCH REPORT - http://sportsline.wales/2016/12/evans-try-seals-emlyn-win/