Pembrokeshire KO Cup quarter-final:

 
 

St Davids 21 - Narberth Athletic 44

The semi-final line-up for this season's Pembrokeshire KO Cup is almost complete after Narberth Athletic scored seven tries in St Davids, writes Fraser Watson.

The visitors converted a 22-7 half-time lead into an eventual 44-21 win, and in truth, were dominant throughout despite struggling to convert pressure into points in the early stages. The game kicked off at 1pm due to the Wales v New Zealand international and for both sides, as well as a social gathering afterwards at least brought welcome game time during what is often a frustrating break for local clubs.



 

Otters on top up front

The conditions were cold, blustery, and difficult, but there was little sign of the ice or surface water that had caused havoc in the county in the previous few days. And it was Narberth in the ascendancy from the first whistle despite being met with early resistance from the hosts.

Wingers Owen Llewellyn and Iestyn Doble both went close in their respective corners and flanker Will Nicholas was held up over the line, but it took 24 minutes before the seal was broken. After skipper and No 8 Stephen Pilot opted for a scrum from a close range penalty, it was Llewellyn who cut inside before giving the scoring pass to centre Will Davies.

While both sides struggled with their line-out throws, the visitors boasted the more powerful scrum and after winning one against the head, further pressing led to No.10 Shay Norcross cutting over from close range for a try he also converted.

In the meantime, the carrying power of returning flanker Iori Morgan and prop Jac Norcross stood out - although the Saints then responded with their first real attacking platform, second row Aled Davies powering over for a score that Bob Froy converted.

The comeback was cut short though as Norcross landed a 35-metre penalty and then with the final play of the half, a flowing move saw Narberth full-back Ashton O’Riordan link with Davies, who slipped the scoring pass for No.9 Elliot Evans to canter in for a seven-pointer.



 

Points flow in pulsating second-half

Any hopes of a St Davids fightback after the break were ended within moments of the whistle, as away replacement Brad Crumb broke through in midfield and put Evans under the posts for his second score.

However, despite a faltering line-out, the Saints mustered some pressure and home skipper and centre George Raymond went over from 10 metres and scrum-half Mike Gurney converted, but the respite was short-lived as Athletic second row Jack Tucker benefitted from an overlap out wide, before winger Jake Philpin also came off the bench to score in the corner.

At 39-14 the contest was done but the Saints did get another consolation score through lock Charlie Lavin, with Gurney again doing the honours, but it was the visitors who had the final say. Stephen J Brown, who came on in an unfamiliar flanker role, took an inside ball to dive over from the game's last play, completing a job well done for Narberth and securing a place in the last four.

They will now play the winners of Aberaeron or Fishguard and Goodwick RFC, with that clash not scheduled until late December.

Prior to kick-off, a minute's silence was observed for Ken Davies, a former President and patron of St Davids RFC, who sadly died this week.

 

Narberth Athletic coach James Merriman: "We're really pleased to be into the semi-final. We got held up over the line three times early on and you could see some frustration coming in, but we stuck at it and got going and managed to cross over a few times. The Pembrokeshire Cup is something where we've got a good history and it's nice to progress again."

St Davids head coach Bruce Evans: "That is now four consecutive matches that we have conceded both before and after half-time, so there is a frustration that we do not believe in ourselves. But it was a good comeback in the second half so we can take something from that."

Man of the match: Iori Morgan

In the second half, it was out wide where Narberth did the damage. But for 40 minutes at least, it was the carrying of the likes of Morgan, Stephen Pilot, Will Nicholas and Declan Cole that laid the foundations for their attacks.

Morgan gets the nod, having been out for three months and yet, not shirked any physicality. If he stays fit, he'll boost the side's league campaign as well as their cup ambitions.


St Davids: Ben Joyce; Luke Bamford, Harvey Lavin, George Raymond (capt), Bob Froy; Aaron Foster, Mike Gurney; Ben Evans, Adam Williams, Dan Murphy; Iestyn Owen, Charlie Lavin; James Goldsmith, Aled Davies, Dafydd Williams. Replacements: Ben Lloyd, Gethin Bateman, Osian Sutton, Danny Voyce, Iwan Davies, Daf Davies.


Narberth Athletic: Ashton Oriordan; Iestyn Doble, Rhys Kemble, Will Davies, Owen Llewellyn; Shay Norcross, Elliot Evans; Declan Cole, Rhys Jenkins, Jac Norcross; Henry Foster, Kyle Williams; Will Nicholas, Iori Morgan, Stephen Pilot (capt). Replacements: Ieuan Barnes, Jack Tucker, Jake Philpin, Stephen J. Brown, Brad Crumb, Morgan Chell.


Referee: Chris Oliver (who had a good game)