National League – Division Three (West)

 

All Blacks battle hard but go down to title-chasing Lampeter

 

Neyland 13 - Lampeter 21

 
Neyland took on a Lampeter team still in with a chance of taking the section silverware and gave a good account of themselves – but in the final analysis weren’t able to take their chances and just missed out on what would have been a deserved bonus point!
 
The All Blacks took an early lead when they spread play wide and from the ensuing ruck prop Luke Griffiths-Dawes was on hand to plough over the line – and although talented No 10 Ollie Rothero missed the conversion he landed a 35-metre penalty.
 
But Lampeter hit back with a try from Glyn Jones and a penalty by Osian Jones – and in that vital time just before half time the visitors took the lead with an unconverted try by Rhodri Williams.
 
The visitors opened the second-half scoring with another Osian Jones’ penalty before The All Blacks hit back with a try by prop Ben James after he rounded off a rolling maul on the-22 metre line.
 
But Lampeter made sure of victory late on when Ifan John added their third try but Neyland could take comfort from their overall performance, with veteran second row Chris Busby, Kyle Hamer and the Evans brothers, Owain and Iestyn,  playing well, with skipper George Williams returning from injury to get some game time in the second half.
 
Neyland: Patrick Bellerby: L Watkins; Henry McBeth; Dan Millward; Jordan All-Wright: Ollie Rothero; George Evans: Luke Griffiths-Dawes; Gavin Campbell; Ben James: Chris Busby; Iestyn Evans: Kyle Hamer; Owain Evans, Ben Williams. Replacements: Simon Phillips; Jack Harries; George Williams; Chris Morgan
 
 

Pembrokeshire Knockout Cup Semi-Final News:

 

Crymych reach final despite The Borderers’ efforts

 

Crymych 31 - Whitland 15

 
Crymych marched into the Pembrokeshire Knockout Cup Final with victory over a Whitland side which never gave up trying but were never in front after leading 7-3 early on - and trailed at half time to the focussed Preseli Men who put their chances away whilst The Borderers didn’t.
 
Adam Phillips kicked an early penalty before Whitland opened their account with a try for Luca Setaro, who was making his debut, converted by Nico Setaro, who also landed a penalty.
 
But indiscipline cost Whitland dearly as Adam Phillips slotted three more penalties and just before the interval converted a cracking Crymych try that stemmed from good handling before centre Gethin Gibby scored the try, converted by Adam Phillips.
 
The Preseli Men also made a good start to the second half as hooker Carwyn Phillips drove over from a controlled forward rolling maul, again with Adam Phillips slotting the extra points.
 
Whitland kept plugging away, however, and claimed their second try when Trystan Rees crossed the whitewash – but Crymych had the final word when replacement outside half Ifan Davies made a cracking break and winger Tomos Lewis was at his shoulder to take the try-scoring pass.
 
For once Adam Phillips missed the conversion but it mattered little because Crymych were deserved victors and now look to play Aberystwyth seeking revenge for a recent 41-4 defeat in an away tussle where they had to field a weakened side to travel – and it should be an intriguing final indeed!
 

Quins unable to fulfil fixture so Aber go through to the final:

 
Pembroke Dock Harlequins were sadly unable to raise a team for their home match with Aberystwyth so the Mid Wales’ side moved into the final be default and will now play Crymych under the Haverfordwest RFC floodlights on Wednesday,  11^th May, starting at 7pm.