Welsh Rugby Union Division Three Cup Final:

 
 

Cardigan 20 - Newport Saracens 20

 
(Saracens win on countback rule by 3 tries to one)
 
Venue Rodney Parade, Newport
 
Cardigan came very close to winning the WRU silverware competed for by every team in all the third divisions across all the Welsh Regions but after leading right up until the closing stages conceded a late score which enabled Newport Saracens to take the trophy by dint of the fact that during these finals if the teams end up level then the verdict goes to the team who have scored more tries, and if that is the same then the first scorers take the verdict!
 
On this occasion it was The Saracens who had scored three tries whilst The Teifisiders crossed for one try so Cardigan fell just short when they perhaps deserved more because the opposition already had a significant advantage going into the game because their home pitch at Maesglas Fields is a short distance from the final venue and so much more likely to have large crowds supporting them, especially with a 1pm start!
 
But The Cardigan supporters certainly didn’t let their team down because three bus loads and cars aplenty made the 210-mile round trip as their committed squad took on opponents who have just gained their second successive promotion in moving last season from division four and now division three, having won the WRU Cup on both occasions.
 
But if they expected an easy success, they were soon shaken out of it because Cardigan were ahead for much of the game but Saracens deserve credit for their batting qualities because they were 9-8 down at half time, looked in trouble when they were 15-8 adrift but fought back to level matters, as they did after Cardigan had scored their only try in the 69^th minute.
 
Unfortunately, the conversion by Shaun Leonard was off target and the ace kicker, who had already slotted five penalties, was off the mark with a 78^th minute penalty before Saracen’s final score.
 
He had landed penalties in the first half in the 12^th, 13^th and 16^th minutes as the Cardigan front five of Will Brice, Luke Palmer-Davies, Ben Hughes, Dean Harries and Dan Jones won solid set-piece possession and the back row of Daf Rotie, Aaron Tomkinson and skipper Marcus Castle won ball on the ground to put the opposition under pressure and get punished by Leonard’s accurate kicking.
 
James Raymond landed a penalty for The Saracens and flanker Ryan Binney pounced for a late unconverted try – but after the restart Leonard kicked two more excellent penalties in the  45^th and 57^th minutes, only for Saracens to rock them back with a try from hooker Iwan Burrows, which Raymond converted.
 
Cardigan kept their heads though as half backs Llyr Jones and Jac Davies used quality possession to keep the pressure on for John Lumb, and Alun Jenkins to pose threats after quick hands by Iwan John and Emyr Harries – and it paid off as scrum half Llyr Rones sniped through for a vital unconverted try.
Then came those fateful final moments where Newport Saracens eased through as The Teifisiders saw defeat from the jaws of victory.
 
It was an epic tussle, however, and Cardigan RFC were praised in the national media for their part in a cracking final – and their players, coaches and officials received the good treatment they deserved afterwards – and certainly flew the District H flag with distinction!
 
 
Cardigan: Shaun Leonard: John Lumb; Iwan John; Emyr Harries; Alun Jenkins: Jac Davies; Llyr Jones: Will Brice; Luke Palmer-Davies; Ben Hughes: Dean Harries; Dan Jones: Aaron Tomkinson; Daf Rotie; Marcus Castle (Capt). Replacements: Andrew Jones; Sion Phillips; Nathan Bowen; Colin Davies; Kieran Hurley; Danny Bradshaw; Aaron Evans; Jack Taylor.  Travelling Reserves: Kieran Greenland; Rhodri Davies; Sam Lloyd; Flynn Tjoonk; Brandon Jones.