Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup Second Round:

 

Cardigan 28 - Neyland 12

 
Cardigan eased into the semi-finals of the Pembrokeshire Knock Out Cup with victory over Neyland in a competitive, fast-paced and skilful contest that would have graced a final.
 
The quality of the rugby was all the more remarkable because the majority of the game was played without one of the two major floodlight units on the far side of the King George Vth Ground, plus the lights along the stand touchline, but both teams agreed to continue and produced an entertaining and absorbing Friday night tussle.
 

Blacks claim early advantage – but Teifisiders take the lead . . .

 
Both teams opted for running rugby from the outset and it was Neyland who took the lead with an opportunist unconverted try by veteran centre Adam Collins, whose skills alongside Steve Martin were evident from the outset.
 
But The Teifisiders power in the scrums allowed them to establish periods of pressure from which points inevitably accrued, their first try coming after Rob Connolly, Dean Harries and Bedwyr John took play into the Neyland 22. Winger Wayne Parsons still had plenty to do after taking the final pass from Jackson Tucker-Lynch but darted over in the left corner – and No 10 Luke Rogers added the superb conversion to put his side ahead.
 

. . . And are 14-5 ahead at half time

 
Ben Hughes, Tomos Evans, skipper Llyr Griffiths and Kieran Hurley were good ball winners for Cardigan but what Neyland lacked in the scrums they made up for with fire in the loose as experienced players like Chris Busby and Chris Busby found willing support from talented youngsters like Iestyn Evans, Ben Williams, Craig Grice, Luke Dawes, Richard Jones and Jack Harries.
 
But that scrummaging power resulted in Cardigan’s second score as a Neyland attack foundered and skipper Griffiths burst 50 metres before finding Kieran Hurley in support and prop Tomas Evans bull-dozed his way over from close range after half the Cardigan players had handled. Rogers again converted to ease The Teifisiders into a 14-5 interval lead.
 

Cardigan cash in on pack power but Neyland bounce back again

 
Neyland always posed a threat through the running talents of half backs Chris Morgan and Jonathan Lloyd, with Luke Conbeer strong at fill back and wingers Delme Bateman and Adam Cawley always looking for the ball.
 
But again it was scrum success that widened Cardigan’s lead as Marcus Castle took his side close and Llyr Griffiths grabbed a push-over try which Rogers converted.
 
Back came The All Blacks with a try conceived by Mark James, Richard Jones and Evans before Steve Martin sliced through for a quality try converted by Cawley, although Martin was yellow-carded alongside Cardigan No 9 Aaron Evans as he took offence to something that happened as he grounded the ball.
 

Hurley rounds off excellent Cardis’ victory

 
It was a minor skirmish in events and both teams quickly returned to their open play , with Gareth Clifford coming on as a replacement for Cardigan and creating an impression with some powerful surges that helped set up the final try for alert flanker Hurley, again well converted by Rogers.
 
It gave The Teifisiders deserved revenge for a league defeat at Neyland, who deserve credit every credit for turning out with a full squad on a Friday night – and helping make it a cup-tie of real quality!
 
Cardigan: Alun Jenkins: Rhydian Jenkins; Marcus Castle; Jackson Tucker-Lynch; Wayne Parsons: Luke Rogers; Aaron Evans: Tomos Evans; Bedwyr Davies; Ben Hughes: Dean Harries; Rob Connolly: Gethin Jones; Kieran Hurley; Llyr Griffiths. Replacements: Richard Jones; Will Bryce; Gareth Clifford; Dorian Butler; Ifan James; Llyr Tobias; Sion Hughes.

Neyland: Luke Conbeer: Delme Bateman; Adam Collins; Steve Martin; Adam Cawley: Jonathan Lloyd; Chris Morgan: Jack Harries; Richard Jones; Luke Dawes: Mark James; Chris Busby: Iestyn Evans; Craig Grice; Ben Williams. Replacements: Steve Hamer; Mark Riley; Harley Tree; Craig Bennett; Ashley Sutton; Craig Power.
Referee: Jason Summers