KO Cup Semi-Final:

 

Young Otters in KO Cup Final after battle royal with All Blacks

 

Narberth Development 14 - Neyland 6

 
Narberth’s development squad made it a unique success as they reached the Pembrokeshire Knockout Cup Final after an epic tussle with a Neyland side equally determined to reach the final after a very long absence.
 
Watched by a big crowd and enthusiastic crowd on an inevitably heavy Lewis Lloyd Ground, it was evident from the outset that there were going to be errors aplenty but both teams but no-one could question the total commitment shown by The Otters and The All Blacks, who were without five key players but still battled away against a talented home squad who also relished the big hits and deceptive speed of the game despite the challenging conditions.
 

All Blacks start well . . .

 
Narberth had their first chance as early as the second minute as full back Shane Rossiter lined up a penalty from 43 metres but the kick fell short – and The All Blacks opened the scoring after 11 minutes when good work up front by Ben Williams, Dan Hart, Iestyn and Owain Evans following a kick to the corner by George Evans, saw a home knock on in front of the posts and a penalty conceded allowed No 10 Evans to slot a relatively simple three-pointer.
 

. . . But Otters grab a vital try

 
But the lead was relatively short-lived as The Otters established a lengthy period of pressure where they camped in the Neyland 22, who defended quite superbly as the likes of Declan Cole, Rhys Jenkins, Harry Phillips, Dan Owen and skipper Kyle Williams ploughed their way forward.
 
The Otters No 9 Dylan Walsh then changed the point of attack to his backs, however, and full back Shane Rossiter sliced between the pots for a try which he also converted before sustaining a dead leg and leaving the field.
 

Evans slots his second kick

 
George Evans notched his second penalty after good work by Owen Hamer, Jake Griffiths, Alex Codd and Luke Griffiths-Dawes, assisted by Jack Harries, Craig Power and Mark James forced an error in front of the posts - and the scoreline remained 7-6 in Narberth’s favour in the minutes remaining to half time.
 

Similar second half in the conditions

 
The second half followed a similar pattern of extreme endeavour in both camps but still a stop-start game because of the deteriorating conditions. Harry Phillips made a strong break for Narberth and Luke Griffiths-Dawes did the same for Neyland, who had a long range penalty from George Evans fall short in their attempts at taking the lead.
 

Game finally settled in Narberth’s favour

 
But the game was finally settled in the final five minutes when Narberth set up a series of strong drives near the Neyland line and equally strong defence from the All Blacks but they finally left a slight gap which was exploited by the home pack and replacement Owain Hughes emerged from the resulting pile of bodies to be awarded the try, which was converted by Harry Harries.
 

All Blacks show real spirit

 
It says a great deal about the spirit in the Neyland camp that they battled their way back into the Narberth 22 and spent the time left camped on the Narberth line but they just couldn’t break some excellent and sometimes desperate defence – and when the final whistle went it left two very tired teams who had produced an absorbing clash – but with the Narberth Development Team going through to the KO Cup Final.
 
Narberth Development: Shane Rossiter: Ryan Scourfield; Will Davies; Harvey Jones; Lewis Thompson: Harry Harries; Dylan Walsh: Declan Cole; Rhys Jenkins; Richard Watkins: Dan Owen; Henry Foster: Harry Phillips; Kyle Williams (Capt); Ioan Phillips. Replacements: Jordan James; Owen Llewellyn; Jac Norcross; Owain Hughes; Morgan Rees; Ryan Cole; Daf Walters.
 
Neyland: Henry Macbeth: Ben Millward; Jake Griffiths; Alex Codd; Delme Bateman: George Evans; Owen Hamer: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Craig Power; Jack Harries: Mark James; Iestyn Evans: Dan Hart; Owain Evans (Capt); Ben Williams. Replacements: Andrew Slark; Harrison Grice; Theo Davies’ Chris Busby; Toby Hayman.
 
 

KO Cup Plate Semi-Final:

 

 

Lloyd and Jack lead The Seasiders to inaugural Plate Final

 

Tenby United 19 - Whitland 3

 
Tenby United moved smoothly into the inaugural final of the KO Cup Plate Competition as they had better of the exchanges against a Whitland side which plays in a division higher but were unable to score any points until they managed a late penalty from Geraint Jones.
 
They had previously had eminently kickable early penalty chances for skipper Jonathan Thomas and full back Harry Fuller but both were pushed wide of the target.
 
After that The Seasiders held an edge in the first half but as Liam Price, Johnny Thomas, and Trystan Rees led some solid defensive work alongside their busy back row for The Borderers they still managed to open up a 12-0 advantage via four penalties by outside half Lloyd Thomas.
 
The home side had good performances from Cam Broadhurst and Luke Waygood in the centre whilst Jake Henson also caught the eye when he came on to make his senior debut – and there were the usual 100% performances from the front row, Tom Barrass and skipper Luke Dedman.
 
But leading the way was No 8 Jack Broadhurst, who scored the only try of the game, a rip-roaring affair after The Borderers kicked out of defence and Matthew Morgan and Thomas swung play left to fine Jack Broadhurst on the left flank.
 
He rampaged up the touchline, bumped over two would-be tacklers and took a couple over the line with him to cross the whitewash – and Lloyd Thomas added the extra points for good measure.
 
Tenby’s win means they will now face Pembroke in the final at a venue to be arranged after The Scarlets had a walk-over in the semis because Llangwm felt they could not compete with so many league fixtures still to come.
 
Tenby United: Gwion Jones: Jack Gooding; Cam Broadhurst; Luke Waygood; Adam Quill: Lloyd Thomas; Matthew Morgan: Ethan Morgan; Joe Poole; Rob Luly: Tom Barrass; Luke Dedman (Capt): Charlie Patching; Dan Colley; Jack Broadhurst. Replacements: Nicky Guymer; Frankie Boyd; Rob Clark; Jimmy Davies; Liam Pugh; Toby Smith; Jake Henson.
 
Whitland: Harry Fuller: Will James; Liam Price; Cian Williams; Rhys Nicholas:  Jonathan Thomas; Trystan Rees: Chris Marks; Mikey Ryan; Ceirion Evans: Miciah Jones; Dan Bennett: James Thomas; Calum Evans; Jack Richards. Replacements: Martin Nicholas; Trystan Bowen; Jack Worthing/Dai Ebsworth; Sam Clarke; Ianto Davies;  Tom Windsor; Geraint Jones.